The 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland, served as a vibrant yet reflective backdrop for discussions on LGBTQ travel, particularly regarding the United States. Many European LGBTQ travelers are reconsidering their plans to visit the U.S. due to increasing anti-trans and anti-immigrant policies. Countries like Denmark, Finland, and Germany have issued warnings for LGBTQ travelers, especially those with non-binary gender markers on their passports. Concerns have led organizations like Egale Canada to withdraw from WorldPride DC, while the African Human Rights Coalition has called for a boycott of the event.
Travel content creators Karl Krause and Daan Colijn, who referred to the uncomfortable climate for trans travelers, expressed their hesitation about promoting the U.S. as a travel destination. Despite their privilege as gay men, they acknowledge their trans friends’ fears about traveling to the U.S. under the current administration, prompting them to reflect on the safety of recommending such trips. The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association noted similar hesitations among travelers, particularly trans and gender-diverse individuals, with many opting for safer destinations.
Nicoló Manfredini, a trans man from Italy, shared that while he entered the U.S. without issues, the climate has deterred him from future visits. According to recent research from UCLA’s Williams Institute, 70% of trans and gender-diverse respondents expressed reluctance to travel to less affirming U.S. states. The heightened security measures being implemented for events like WorldPride DC and NYC Pride are responses to these concerns, with organizers emphasizing safety protocols and increased security amid an uncertain social landscape.
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