Canada warns LGBTQ people of risks in parts of the US

Toronto. The Canadian government has issued a warning to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer people about potential risks in certain parts of the United States. Some US states have enacted laws that could affect LGBTQ+ people, said a travel advisory from Global Affairs, Canada’s foreign affairs department, updated this week. It left open which US states the authorities meant. But she advised travelers to check local laws at their destination before they travel.

Since early 2023, certain US states have banned drag shows, restricted the trans community’s access to gender reassignment treatment or restricted their participation in sporting events, global affairs spokesman Jérémie Bérubé said in an email Thursday. Outside of Canada, laws and mores regarding sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics may be very different from those in Canada. As such, Canadians may encounter certain hurdles and risks when leaving their country.

So far no complaint about treatment in USA received

To date, no Canadian citizen has complained to Global Affairs about their treatment in the US or has said they have been prevented from expressing personal opinions on LGBTQ+ issues, the spokesperson added.

When asked this week, Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said Global Affairs’ travel advice was based on advice from the agency’s experts, whose job it is to assess certain hazards. It is about putting the interests and security of every single citizen in the focus of government action. Freeland did not say whether her government had previously discussed the matter with the United States.

RND/AP