() – The Canadian government is warning its LGBTQ citizens about the risks they could face when travelling to the United States, citing new laws in several states.
“Some states have enacted laws and policies that may impact 2SLGBTQI+ communities. Please consult relevant state and local laws,” it reads. the updated notice published this Tuesday.
“2SLGBTQI+” is the acronym used by the Canadian government, and “2S” refers to Two Spirit, according to the government’s glossary of terminology.
“Since early 2023, certain US states have passed laws banning drag performances and restricting the transgender community’s access to gender-affirming care and participation in sporting events,” Global Affairs Canada said in a statement to .
Neither the declaration nor the travel advisory single out specific states or laws.
The updated travel advice comes after the Human Rights Campaign, the US-based human rights advocacy group, declared a national state of emergency for LGBTQ people in June.
“LGBTQ+ Americans are living in a state of emergency. The multiplied threats facing millions in our community are not just perceived – they are real, tangible and dangerous. In many cases, they are resulting in violence, forcing families to uproot their lives and flee their homes in search of safer states, and unleashing a wave of rising homophobia and transphobia that puts the safety of each and every one of us at risk,” said the group’s president, Kelley Robinson.
The updated Canadian advisory also links to broader advice about how LGBTQ travelers could be targeted when traveling to foreign countries. It tells travelers to be wary of laws that criminalize same-sex activities and relationships, or that target people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
“Foreign laws and customs relating to sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) may be very different from those in Canada. As a result, you may face certain barriers and risks when travelling outside of Canada,” the advice says.
“Every Canadian government, including our government, must put the interests and security of every Canadian and every group of Canadians at the heart of everything we do,” Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said Tuesday, defending the decision to update the advisory.
Canada bans conversion therapies and now they are a crime
“We have professionals in government whose job it is to look carefully at the world and monitor whether there are particular dangers to particular groups of Canadians. That is their job and it is the right thing to do,” he added.
Freeland did not comment on whether U.S. President Joe Biden knew about the warning in advance.
The United States is committed to “promoting tolerance, inclusion, justice, and dignity while helping to advance the equality and human rights of LGBTQI+ people. We must all continue to do this work with our like-minded partners, not just in the United States, not just in Canada, but around the world,” a State Department spokesperson said in a statement Wednesday.
has not responded to a request for comment from the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa.
Last week, the embassy released a statement of support for the Ottawa Capital Pride Festival.
The statement reads in part: “Get Proud, La Fierté Haut et Fort” – this year’s Capital Pride theme – is exactly what we do! We celebrate even louder and prouder when we do it together.”
Add Comment