In response to the mounting concerns surrounding LGBTQ rights in the United States, Canada has taken a proactive step by offering advice to LGBTQ travelers planning trips to the neighboring nation. The Canadian government, citing the potential risks posed by recent legislative actions in certain states, has urged individuals to examine how their travel plans might be influenced.
Anti-LGBTQ demonstrations in the United States escalated significantly last year, experiencing a staggering 30-fold increase compared to 2017. Concurrently, legislative efforts aiming to curtail LGBTQ rights have been on the rise. To address these issues, Canada’s travel advisory for the United States now incorporates a cautionary message intended specifically for those identifying as two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, or intersex – collectively known as 2SLGBTQI+.
The advisory emphasizes, “Some states have enacted laws and policies that may affect 2SLGBTQI+ persons. Check relevant state and local laws.” However, the advisory refrains from specifying the exact states to which it refers.
Responding to this development, the U.S. State Department emphasized the United States’ commitment to promoting tolerance, inclusion, justice, and dignity while advancing LGBTQ rights. The department expressed its willingness to collaborate with like-minded international partners in pursuit of these objectives.
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland shed light on the updated advice, stating that the Canadian government relies on expert insights to evaluate global situations and potential threats to different segments of the Canadian population. Freeland emphasized the government’s priority of ensuring the safety and interests of all Canadians.
While the advisory has been adjusted, it remains undisclosed whether discussions took place between the Canadian government and the Biden administration prior to its issuance. Despite the advisory update, the overall risk assessment for travel to the United States maintains a “green” status, indicating a standard requirement for security precautions.
The United States serves as the primary travel destination for Canadians, with millions of trips being undertaken annually. Approximately 1 million individuals, constituting 4% of Canada’s population aged 15 and older, identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or as having a sexual orientation different from heterosexual, according to official data from the previous year.
In response to the increasing legislative measures impacting LGBTQ lives, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the largest LGBTQ advocacy organization in the United States, has declared a national state of emergency. This declaration is in response to the proliferation of legislation in state capitols aimed at regulating various aspects of queer individuals’ lives.