TORONTO — This week, Canada updated its travel advisory for the United States, cautioning LGBTQ+ travelers about certain American states’ recent legislation that may impact them.
The Canadian Global Affairs department did not specify which states were of concern but advised travelers to research the local laws of their destination before their trip.
Global Affairs spokesperson Jérémie Bérubé stated in an email on Thursday, “Since the start of 2023, some U.S. states have passed laws prohibiting drag shows and imposing restrictions on the transgender community’s access to gender-affirming care and participation in sporting events.”
The statement emphasized that laws and customs related to sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics can significantly differ from those in Canada, potentially leading to obstacles and risks for Canadian travelers abroad.
Bérubé noted that there have been no reported complaints from Canadians in the U.S. regarding their treatment or freedom to express their LGBTQ+ views.
In June, the Human Rights Campaign, the largest U.S.-based organization advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, declared a state of emergency for LGBTQ+ individuals in the United States. Similarly, the NAACP issued a travel advisory for Florida in May, warning potential tourists about laws and policies championed by Governor Ron DeSantis, including bills prohibiting gender-affirming care for minors, targeting drag shows, restricting discussions of personal pronouns in schools, and mandating certain restroom use.
In Arkansas, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed a law this year that prevents transgender individuals in public schools from using restrooms matching their gender identity. Comparable laws have been enacted in states like Alabama, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.
Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland defended the travel advisory update, stating that such advisories are based on professional advice within the department and prioritize the safety and interests of all Canadians.
However, political science professor emeritus Nelson Wiseman from the University of Toronto expressed skepticism, stating, “To my knowledge, no U.S. state has charged or discriminated against an LGBTQ+ traveler due to their sexual identity or orientation. This all strains the credibility of the department.”
Former Canadian ambassador to China, David Mulroney, criticized the advisory as well, arguing that travel advisories should focus on threats to the safety of Canadian travelers rather than issues with which the government disagrees.
Helen Kennedy, executive director of Egale Canada, an LGBTQ+ rights group in Toronto, praised the Canadian government for issuing the advisory. Kennedy highlighted that around 500 anti-LGBTQ+ legislative pieces are currently under consideration in various state legislatures in the U.S., which she views as a concerning trend. She also noted the need for Canada to address LGBTQ+ community safety within its borders, as similar policies have been recently enacted in Canadian provinces like Saskatchewan and New Brunswick. These policies now require parental consent when children under 16 years old wish to use different names or pronouns at school.