Canada warns LGBTQ+ travelers about certain US destinations.
Caution for 2SLGBTQI+ Travelers in the United States
Global Affairs Canada is cautioning “2SLGBTQI+” persons about travelling to some parts of the United States in an updated travel advisory.
The department in charge of foreign affairs issues advice to Canadians on travelling to different countries and modified the webpage related to the United States on Aug. 29.
The webpage says to “Take normal security precautions” when travelling there, but “latest updates” indicate new advice for “2SLGBTQI+ travellers.”
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This acronym is officially in use by the federal government and refers to those who self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, two-spirit, and people who use additional terminologies.
“Some states have enacted laws and policies that may affect 2SLGBTQI+ persons. Check relevant state and local laws,” says Global Affairs Canada (GAC).
The current Biden administration is ideologically aligned with the Liberal government on gender issues, but some U.S. states are not favourable to the promotion of gender ideology to schoolchildren or have banned sex-change surgeries for minors.
A GAC spokesperson told The Epoch Times this is the reason the travel advisory was updated.
“Since the beginning of 2023, certain states in the U.S. have passed laws banning drag shows and restricting the transgender community from access to gender affirming care and from participation in sporting events.”
“The Government of Canada takes the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously,” the spokesperson added.
‘Not Political’
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland defended GAC for updating the advisory during a press conference in Moncton on Aug. 29, saying it was done “very professionally.”
“The travel advisories are not political,” she said in French.
Ms. Freeland, who previously served as foreign minister, said that travel advisories are done by professionals in the government “whose job is to look carefully around the world, and to monitor whether there are particular dangers to particular groups of Canadians.”
“That’s their job. And it’s the right thing to do,” she said.
Ms. Freeland would not comment on whether the U.S. administration was consulted before posting the advisory.
The minister said that every Canadian government understands that one of the main responsibilities of the government is to manage the U.S. relationship.
“I think our government has shown that that’s a priority for us, and that we work hard at it, and that we’re able to manage that relationship, regardless of the choices that the people of the United States make,” she said.
Earlier this month, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said that her government has a “game plan” for an eventual return to the White House of Donald Trump or someone with similar political leanings, which she said could be a “very difficult situation.”
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