By Samantha Boring
Published: May. 15, 2024 at 6:56 PM CDT
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - The FBI and Department of Homeland Security released a PSA stating foreign terrorist organizations (FTOS) and their supports could possibly target LGBTQIA+ Pride events in June.
Threats could be in person, online, or through the mail. Unusual activity around security measures at events, unusual surveillance of an event or buildings, or trying to get information about an upcoming event and crowd sizes or busiest times of the day.
They added these possible risks are heightened due to past anti-LGBTQIA+ attacks such as the Pulse Nightclub shooting that left 49 dead and 53 others injured.
KCTV5 reached out to the local FBI office to learn about a potential threat to the area and plans for this. They responded by saying in part quote:
“In regard specifically to Pride month in Kansas City, we continually have contact and maintain dialogue with our partners both in law enforcement and the community,”
The city is prepared as well.
The Kansas City LGBTQ Commission Public Safety Commissioner, Kim Shaw-Ellis released a statement:
“The LGBTQ Commission works closely with our local police and federal partners. We have a regional fusion center that monitors intelligence information and works diligently to protect the local community. Should a specific threat to the local area arise they work with their federal partners to do all that can to ensure the safety of the community. I am confident we will work together through these recent threats, as we have in the past, to ensure we are doing all that can be done to ensure safety around events during Pride Month. Our community deserves to feel safe when attending events and expressing their authentic selves,”
KC Trans Pride is one of many events happening next month on the weekend of June 14-16.
They plan to have all sorts of events from awards for local Trans leaders, a Trans vendor market, live music, and a mobilization unit to build the Trans community’s collective power and resources.
It’s hosted by Transformations along with support from the City of KCMO, Goofball Sk8boards, and many other local and national organizations.
They prepare for threats just as they would for a tornado or fire.
“This is just one of those safety planning things that in this day and age is necessary to plan for,” said KC Trans Pride Organizer, Joan Rose.
“The harsh reality is that there are movements that are threatening our ability to live freely,” said Transformations Community Advisory Board Chair, Donato Fatuesi.
A possible national threat is not a usual concern for many in the LGBTQIA+ community.
“I don’t worry about it from international sources I worry about it from people who call themselves their neighbors,” said Rose. They added, “The risks that we face come from our own cities people who are trying to mobilize against us people who claim we are forcing gender ideology down children’s throats, people who claim we are groomers, those are the people who I’ve always been the most concerned about.”
The possible threats aren’t stopping Pride.
“We know that we take care of us. Right so I think we are still going to be able to make our events happen but just you know being aware that there is now this international threat that the FBI is making all of our communities across the nation aware of,” said Fatuesi.
KC Trans Pride Organizers said they will work to keep themselves safe and are relying on their community to help do that as well.
“I think my bigger call to the trans community here in Kansas City is join us right let’s build our collective power,” said Fatuesi.
“We are just trying to live our lives. We want to give back to our community just as much as anyone else does. We want to be a part of our community as much as anyone else does. We want Kansas City to be a great place to live a safe place to live for anybody,” said Rose.
Johnson County Pride Association also released a statement:
Johnson County Pride Association is saddened this news could dampen Pride celebrations this year, and we also recognize these threats are real, thus should be taken seriously.
Pride is about visibility and celebrating a historically marginalized group of people with interesting identities. We have witnessed incredible strides towards equal rights in recent decades but we will not stop advocating until we have true equality. It’s shameful that the safety of our community is threatened just because we are who we are and we love who we love.
We encourage everyone to employ their own diligence before attending events, and please be mindful of your mental health, reaching out for help when you need it,”
- Johnson County Pride Association
Remember the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 988.
FBI Kansas City said if you are aware of any threats now or at any local Pride events to contact local law enforcement or the FBI KC Office to report it either online or call 1-800-CALL FBI.
You can learn more here about the recent PSA.
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