Metropolis Desk-
Due to new regulations in numerous states, the Canadian government is cautioning its LGBTQ residents about potential dangers they may encounter when visiting the US.
“Laws and policies that may have an impact on 2SLGBTQI+ people have been passed by some states. Check applicable local and state regulations,” advises the Tuesday-posted amended caution.
The acronym used by the Canadian government is “2SLGBTQI+”, where “2S” stands for Two-Spirit, as per the government’s terminology glossary.
Global Affairs Canada said in a statement to CNN that “since the start of 2023, some states in the U.S. have passed laws banning drag shows and restricting the transgender community’s access to gender-affirming care and from participating in sporting events.”
Neither the statement nor the travel advice specifically mention any particular countries or legislation.
The revised travel guidance follows the June proclamation of a nationwide state of emergency for LGBTQ persons by the US-based advocacy group Human Rights Campaign.
“Americans who identify as LGBTQ+ are experiencing a crisis. The group’s president, Kelley Robinson, stated that the growing challenges that millions of people in our community face are not merely imagined; rather, they are actual, palpable, and frightening. The safety of every one of us is at stake since they frequently lead to violence against LGBTQ+ people, cause families to uproot their lives and leave their homes in search of safer states, and cause a rise in homophobia and transphobia.
The amended Canadian advisory now provides links to more comprehensive guidance on how LGBTQ tourists can be harassed abroad. It warns travelers to avoid laws that punish same-sex behavior and partnerships or single out individuals for being of a particular sexual orientation or gender.
The laws and traditions of other countries may differ greatly from those in Canada in terms of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC). As a result, when you travel outside of Canada, you can encounter some obstacles and dangers,” the caution states.
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland defended the decision to update the advisory on Tuesday, saying “Every Canadian government, very much including our government, needs to put the interests and the safety of every single Canadian and every single group of Canadians at the center of everything we do.”
“The government employs experts whose responsibility it is to keep a close eye on international developments and to keep track of any potential threats to specific Canadian populations. It’s the correct thing to do and it’s their job,” she continued.
Whether US President Joe Biden was aware of the advice in advance was not addressed by Freeland.
A State Department official said in a statement on Wednesday that the US is committed to “promoting tolerance, inclusion, justice, and dignity while helping to advance the equality and human rights of LGBTQI+ persons.” The statement said, “We all must continue this work with our like-minded friends not only in the United States and Canada but also throughout the world.
The US Embassy in Ottawa was contacted by CNN but did not respond to their request for comment.
The embassy sent a statement last week endorsing the Capital Pride Festival in Ottawa.
“Get Proud, La Fierté Haut et Fort” is this year’s Capital Pride theme, and that is exactly what we do, the press release says. When we celebrate with one another, we do so even louder and with greater pride.
Source- CNN
