The Trudeau government updated its travel advice and advisories for the United States on Tuesday, telling LGBTQ travellers that some states have enacted laws that might affect their visit.
Although the Global Affairs Canada United States travel advice page continues to tell travellers to “take normal security precautions,” a new section has been added specifically addressing the LGBTQ community.
“Some states have enacted laws and policies that may affect 2SLGBTQI+ persons. Check relevant state and local laws,” the advisory reads.
Such advisories are usually reserved for authoritarian states in which homosexuality is criminalized, raising concerns that this could further strain relations between Canada and the United States.
The Canadian government has the following warning for LGBTQ travellers travelling to Saudi Arabia, a country known for its negative treatment of LGBTQ individuals.
“The laws of Saudi Arabia prohibit sexual acts between individuals of the same sex. Further, it is illegal to be transgender. Those convicted may face the death penalty,” Global Affairs Canada writes.
“2SLGBTQI+ travellers should carefully consider the risks of travelling to Saudi Arabia.”
Although the Canadian government did not specify which states it is warning travellers about, some states like Florida have made headlines for pushing back against gender ideology. Floria recently passed legislation which put limits on the teaching of gender ideology in public schools and allow parents to opt-out of said lessons if they choose to do so.
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly recently said in a media interview that she was considering a “game plan” for Canada should the US government take a “far-right shift in the next election, in reference to if former US President Donald Trump gets into office again.
“In general, there is our game plan, precisely to be able to manage what could be a rather difficult situation,” said Joly.
“I will work with my colleagues and with the mayors, the provincial premiers, with the business community, with the unions, with everyone in the country, so that we are ready regardless of the election outcome.”
