‘A very real possibility of being detained’: LGBTQ+ Australians cancel travel to US for World Pride

Mik Bartels from Canberra won’t be attending World Pride in Washington. ‘I was not confident that I would be able to get into the US without being detained.’ Photograph: Hilary Wardhaugh Photography/The Guardian

Queer Australians are axing travel plans to Washington DC’s World Pride festival, as Donald Trump’s executive orders targeting LGBTQ+ rights lead to fears of discrimination at the US border and potential attacks.

People skipping the international event join other Australians and travellers from around the world who are avoiding the US after Trump’s inauguration and a string of controversial policies enacted in the early months of his second term as president.