Canada Issues Travel Advisory Over U.S. Laws Shielding Children From Sex Change Procedures, Drag Shows
By Leif Le Mahieu
Canada has issued a travel advisory for its citizens visiting the U.S. over the passage of laws in some states that ban children from undergoing sex change operations and restrict sexually explicit drag performances.
The advisory from Global Affairs Canada (GAC) tells visitors to the U.S. to check out local laws, which a government spokesperson said was a reference to new transgender-related laws passed in conservative states.
“Some states have enacted laws and policies that may affect 2SLGBTQI+ persons. Check relevant state and local laws,” the GAC posted on Tuesday.
A spokesperson for the department told the Canadian Broadcasting Company that the advisory was to “enable travellers to make their own informed decisions regarding destinations.”
“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 statement from the spokesperson said, adding that other countries’ “laws and customs related to sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics can be very different from those in Canada.”