Trudeau government issues ‘travel advisory’ for 2SLGBTQIA+ Canadians traveling to the US over state laws

The federal government has issued a travel advisory for 2SLGBTQIA+ Canadians looking to travel to the United States, warning of state laws that may affect them.

"Some states have enacted laws and policies that may affect 2SLGBTQI+ persons. Check relevant state and local laws," the August 29 update to the Canadian government states.

The advisory did not change the risk level associated with traveling to the United States, with the country remaining at a low risk and travelers encouraged to take "normal security precautions."

While Global Affairs Canada did not address what laws or states Canadians should take note of when traveling, the department told the Toronto Star that 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 issues travel advice and advisories following a thorough analysis of various information sources, including consular trends observed by Canadian diplomats in the field."

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland did not address whether the federal government had a conversation with the White House on the issue.

"We have 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," she said.

"Every Canadian government — very much including our government — needs to put at the centre of everything we do, the interests and the safety of every single Canadian and every single group of Canadians."

States that have passed such laws include Florida, which in 2022 passed a bill preventing the teaching of gender identity and sexual orientation to children in grades kindergarten through third. Other states such as Missouri, Indiana, and South Carolina have passed laws protecting women’s sports from biological male competitors. Louisiana has passed a bill banning permanent, irreversible child sex changes.