Recently, Canada has issued a warning to its LGBTQ citizens, cautioning them of the risks of traveling to the United States due to certain state laws. This well-meaning move is welcomed by many human rights advocates, as it highlights the varying levels of acceptance and acceptance of the LGBTQ community between the two countries.
The Travel Advice and Advisory from Canada’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs made a clear statement that ‘US laws on discrimination rights and same-sex marriage differ from Canadian laws, and may be subject to interpretation by local authorities’. This warning made it clear that the widespread acceptance of the LGBTQ community is not a given when travelling to the US.
Currently, LGBTQ citizens are protected by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and sexual orientation in public facilities and schools. While this offers a much-needed protection across the US, the law is not enforced in some states, and can leave LGBTQ citizens open to discrimination in areas such as employment, housing, and access to certain services. This is especially concerning when considering that some states have taken a step further in enshrining this discrimination in their own state laws, including Arkansas, Michigan, and Tennessee.
The warning from Canada wants to protect its citizens from any potential discrimination that could occur due to a divergence from Canadian and US laws. Canada’s stance highlights an important inconsistency between the two countries when it comes to the acceptance of the LGBTQ community. But while this warning may be a necessary solution to a serious and widespread issue, there is still much work to be done to ensure the universal right of acceptance for the LGBTQ community in both countries.
Canada’s warning is an important reminder of the disparity that exists between LGBTQ acceptance in the North and South of the USA, and the importance of making sure you always feel safe when travelling. Hopefully, this warning will lead to more conversation around this issue, and eventually help bridge the gap between the ideologies and beliefs of both countries.
