Travelling for World Pride and other International Pride events in 2025

16 May 2025

Pride is a global lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) event organised to celebrate and advocate for LGBTQ+ equality.

Pride events began in 1970 to mark the riots which had taken place in the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City, in June 1969, which was one of the most significant events leading to the modern gay rights movement.

World Pride 2025 will be held in Washington DC, USA between 23 May to 8 June. 2025 and marks the 50th anniversary of Pride celebrations in this location.

In addition to World Pride, multiple other Pride events are planned throughout 2025.

• see the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA) website for a calendar of upcoming pride events worldwide

If you are planning on travelling abroad to attend a Pride event, you need to be aware how to protect yourself against health risks.

Advice for travellers

If you are planning on travelling abroad to a Pride event, please ensure you:

• check the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office foreign travel advice for the country you are travelling to, for information on coronavirus, safety and security, entry requirements and travel warnings.
• read the country specific advice for your planned destination(s) for information on advisable vaccinations, malaria and other health risks.

Travel Insurance

Make sure you have valid travel insurance that covers all aspects of your planned trip.

A recent U.S. State Department resource suggested all U.S. visa applications must list their sex assigned at birth, which may impact some transgender and nonbinary travellers. The Capital Pride Alliance recommend affected travellers should consult official sources (e.g. U.S. Embassy), and/or seek legal guidance as needed

Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea is a bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) which can be easily passed between people through unprotected sex with an infected partner. UK authorities have recently reported a rise in cases of drug-resistant gonorrhoea in UK travellers returning from abroad.  Use of condoms offer the best protection against gonorrhoea and other STIs.

• Further information on gonorrhoea is available on NHS inform and NHS UK.

Mpox (Monkeypox)

Mpox is an infection caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV). There are 2 distinct clades (types) of the virus: clade I and clade II. Historically, clade I mpox was associated with a higher risk of serious illness, compared to clade II mpox.

• For latest information on case summaries and rates of infection, see World Health Organization report on Mpox global trends

In 2022, a global outbreak of clade II mpox emerged, mainly affecting gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM). In 2024, there was an increase in clade I mpox cases, from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), that spread to neighbouring African countries. Sustained human-human transmission of clade I mpox continues in DRC and surrounding countries, with travel-related cases occasionally occurring outside the African region.

• For information on case numbers and countries affected, see GOV.UK Mpox: list of affected countries

While mpox does not spread very easily between human beings, it through close contact of an uninfected person with an infected person with mpox, for example through:

• having any skin contact (including during sexual contact) with a person who may have mpox, especially through the touching of blisters or scabs
• touching clothes, bedding, towels or personal items that have been used by a person who has a mpox rash, blisters or scabs
• coughs or sneezes from a person with mpox infection

Spread of mpox may also occur when a person comes into close contact with an infected animal.

If you are travelling to pride events this year, you can reduce your risk of exposure to mpox by:

• practicing safer sex and using condoms
• avoiding close contact (including sexual contact) with someone who is unwell and may have mpox
• avoiding touching the clothes, bedding or towels of a person who may have an mpox rash
• avoiding coughs and sneezes from a person who may have mpox
• avoiding contact with animals, including their blood and other parts
• avoiding consuming undercooked meat from any source

People who are most likely to be exposed to mpox may be offered a vaccine to reduce their risk of infection. Further information about the mpox vaccine and eligibility is available for those living in:

• Scotland
• England
• Northern Ireland
• Wales

Other Health Considerations

If you are planning on attending a Pride event, consider:

• reading the LGBT Travellers page
• if you are up to date with your routine vaccinations; and check if you might need any boosters
• seeking advice on safer sex and how to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• take care with respiratory hygiene precautions and wash your hands often
• taking safe food and water precautions
• practicing safer sex and use condoms

After Pride Events

After returning home from a pride event, remember to:

• seek medical advice if you are experiencing any symptoms of infection or illness
• seek sexual health advice and screening if you had unprotected sex with a new partner

For further information on accessing sexual health clinics see:

• Scotland: NHS Inform 
• England: NHS.UK 
• Northern Ireland: Sexual Health NI 
• Wales: NHS111 Wales