As World Pride starts in Washington, some foreigners stay away

The global celebration of the LGBT culture takes place near the White House after big shifts in US policy under Trump.

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But getting the world to come has proved challenging this year. Some international travellers are choosing to skip the biennial event over travel fears, while others are protesting President Donald Trump's policies.

Alice Siregar, a Montreal-based data analyst who is transgender, had planned to attend. But travelling to the US at the moment was unthinkable, she told the BBC.

"It is a risk to now come over and especially as a trans woman," she said.

The US capital won the bid to host World Pride years before Trump's re-election. In January, the event's organisers had projected the celebration, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of Washington's first Pride march, would attract three million visitors and contribute nearly $800 million to the local economy.