OTTAWA (Reuters) – Canada is urging LGBTQ travelers planning trips to the United States to be aware of recently passed laws in some states that may pose potential risks, according to a statement released by Ottawa on Tuesday.
Last year, the United States witnessed a significant increase of 30-fold in anti-LGBTQ demonstrations compared to 2017, and there has been a rise in legal measures aiming to restrict LGBTQ rights.
In response to these developments, Canada’s travel advisory for the United States now includes a cautionary message for individuals identifying as two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, or intersex (2SLGBTQI+).
“Some states have enacted laws and policies that may affect 2SLGBTQI+ persons,” the advisory states. “Check relevant state and local laws.”
The specific states to which the advisory refers were not specified.
When questioned about the reason for this update, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland explained that the government employs experts to monitor potential dangers to specific groups of Canadians around the world.
During a press conference in Atlantic Canada, Freeland stated, “Every Canadian government must prioritize the interests and safety of all Canadians and every group of Canadians. This is what we are currently doing.”
Freeland declined to comment on whether any discussions had been held with the Biden administration before issuing the updated advisory. The overall risk profile for the United States remains categorized as green, indicating the need for normal security precautions.
The United States is the top travel destination for Canadians, with approximately 2.8 million residents returning from trips south of the border in June alone. Official data from last year reveals that about 1 million individuals, 4% of the Canadian population aged 15 years and older, identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or as having a sexual orientation other than heterosexual.
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the largest LGBTQ advocacy organization in the United States, has declared a national state of emergency due to the proliferation of legislation aimed at regulating the lives of queer individuals in state capitols.
The U.S. embassy in Ottawa had no immediate comment regarding this matter.
(Reporting by Ismail Shakil in Ottawa; editing by David Ljunggren and Jonathan Oatis)
Credit: The Star : News Feed
