According to Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, Canada has issued a warning on its advisory page for travelers to the US that “2SLGBTQI+ people” are specifically “non-political”.
“Some states have enacted laws and policies that may affect 2SLGBTQI+ individuals. Check the local laws and the laws of the state concerned”, describes a new text message published since Tuesday morning on a page dedicated to the United States.
Underneath the note is a link that directs internet users to more advice, including personal safety or romantic relationships.
“Public displays of affection such as kissing or holding hands in public and how they may be perceived in countries where 2SLGBTQI+ people experience discrimination,” it says.
However, the government portal does not explain which laws Canadian LGBTQ+ travelers should fear.
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An apolitical decision
At a news conference in Moncton on Tuesday, one-time foreign affairs minister Chrystia Freeland pointed out that such warnings were “not political” but refrained from overtly criticizing the United States.
These are decisions made by “professionals” who assess the situation in each country of the world and “warn certain groups of Canadians if the situation is difficult,” he continued.
In an email, a spokesperson for Global Affairs said the travel advisory was prepared “following an in-depth analysis of multiple sources of information, including diplomatic trends observed by Canadian diplomats.”
“As of early 2023, some states in the US have passed laws banning drag shows, gender-affirming care and restricting transgender participation in sporting events,” says Your.
No specific state is singled out or explained how these laws might affect the safety of LGBTQ+ people.
Hundreds of laws
According to several organizations, legal initiatives aimed at restricting certain rights of LGBTQ+ people have multiplied in recent years.
US media outlet CNN listed at least 417 anti-LGBTQ+ bills in US state legislatures from January to early April, more than double the number in 2022.
Yet according to CNN, more than half of these laws are about education, with more than sixty of them aimed at forcing teachers to inform parents of their children’s name or pronoun changes. New Brunswick recently passed a similar law targeting children under 16, and other provinces are looking to follow suit.
Several states, including Florida, have passed laws prohibiting the prescribing of hormone blockers to minors for “gender confirmation” purposes.
What’s more, forty laws are intended to regulate or prohibit drag queen performances under certain circumstances.
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