Canada updated its travel advisory for the U.S. this week, warning members LGBTQ+ community Some US states have enacted laws that may affect them.
The country’s global affairs unit did not specify which states, but advised travelers to check the local laws of their destination before traveling.
“Since early 2023, certain U.S. states have passed laws banning drag performances and limiting transgender people’s access to gender-affirming care and participation in sporting events,” Global Affairs spokesperson Jérémie Bérubé said in an emailed statement on Thursday. “
“Outside of Canada, laws and customs related to sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sexual characteristics may differ significantly from Canadian laws and customs,” the statement added. “Therefore, Canadians may There will be certain hurdles and risks.”
Beroube said Canadians in the U.S. have not complained to Global Affairs about their treatment or being prevented from expressing their views on LGBTQ+ issues.
Human Rights Campaign – America’s largest organization dedicated to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer rights in America – June US declares state of emergency for LGBTQ+ people.
this NAACP A Florida travel advisory was issued in May, warning potential visitors Latest Laws and Policies Advocated by Governor Ron DeSantisincluding bills banning gender-affirming care for minors, targeting drag shows, limiting discussion of personal pronouns in schools and forcing people to use certain bathrooms.
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed a law Prohibit transgender people in public schools from using restrooms that match their gender identity. States including Alabama, Oklahoma and Tennessee have enacted similar laws.
Asked about changes to this week’s travel advisories, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said the travel advisories issued by Global Affairs Canada were based on advice from professionals in the department, which is tasked with monitoring specific hazards.
“Every Canadian government needs to put the interests and safety of every Canadian and every group of Canadians at the center of everything we do,” Freeland said.
She did not say whether her administration had discussed the matter with the U.S. government.
“It sounds like a virtue signal from the Department of Global Affairs,” said Nelson Wiseman, a professor emeritus of political science at the University of Toronto.
“As far as I know, no state government in the U.S. has been charged or discriminated against based on the sexual identity or orientation of LGBTQ+ travelers. This all puts a strain on the credibility of the department,” he added.
Helen Kennedy, executive director of Egale Canada, an LGBTQ+ rights group in Toronto, applauded the Canadian government for issuing the advice.
“There are 500 pieces of anti-LGBTQ legislation currently under consideration in state legislatures,” Kennedy said. “It doesn’t have a good image in America.”
Kennedy also said Canada needs to think hard about how safe LGBTQ+ people are in Canada, with similar policies recently enacted in Saskatchewan and New Brunswick, and now, when children under 16 want to use a different Parental consent is required when first or last name is given. Pronouns in school.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Statement said the U.S. is committed to promoting tolerance, inclusion, justice and dignity while helping to advance equality and human rights for LGBTQ+ people.
“It is imperative that we all continue to do this work with our like-minded partners, not just in the U.S., not just in Canada, but around the world,” the spokesperson said in an email.
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