Canada issues 2SLGBTQ+ travel advisory for the United States

If you’re a member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community and planning to travel to the United States, there’s a new warning from Global Affairs Canada.

The government agency issued a travel advisory, saying members of the community should be cautious of local laws, adding they could face discrimination. It’s a move that many advocates are applauding even as Canada faces its own internal battles over gay and trans rights. 

“It’s a real validation of what our community has been raising for many years now, that there’s a real concerted, organized effort of growing anti-2SLGBTQ hate,” says Curran Stikuts, the director of advocacy and strategic communications with The 519.  

The brief advisory says while the overall risk level of travel to the United States remains low, under “Laws and Culture”, Global Affairs notes, “Some states have enacted laws and policies that may affect 2SLGBTQI+ persons. Check relevant state and local laws.” It then provides a link to a more general page on safety for 2SLGBTQ+ travellers. 

“It doesn’t specify specific states. I think it would be very difficult to do that because of the complexity of laws that are being tabled right now, that are being discussed, as well as the laws that have been fully implemented,” David Brennan, a U of T professor with the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, tells CityNews.

Earlier this year, several U.S.-based advocacy groups, including the NAACP and the Human Rights Campaign, issued their own travel advisories, specifically for Florida. In May, the state’s governor, Ron DeSantis – who is also running for the Republican presidential nomination, signed several anti-LGBTQ restrictions into law, including ones on drag shows, on the use of preferred pronouns in school, and on the use of bathrooms. 

On a wider scale, the American Civil Liberties Union says nearly 500 anti-LGBTQ bills have been introduced by lawmakers in 46 states this year. At least 83 have become law. But while advocates say this move by Ottawa is somewhat encouraging, Canada is not immune to what’s happening south of the border.

“It’s happening in New Brunswick. There are considerations in Saskatchewan. There are considerations in various places across the country about turning the tide back on LGBTQ2S+ people,” said Brennan.  

Saskatchewan and New Brunswick recently adopted a new policy mandating parental consent for students 16 and under who want to change their given names or pronouns at school. Ontario’s education minister came under scrutiny for stating he believes parents should be fully involved as well, even though some critics argue it could put the student’s safety at risk. 

“Whether it’s moving forward with a national anti-hate strategy, whether it’s ensuring that hate laws are enforced so we have proper statistic tracking – there’s still plenty of work to do here in Canada,” added Stikuts.