Why the UK Warns LGBT People Against Travel to the US
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Britain issued a travel warning to portions of the United States, according to their Foreign Travel site, for their LGBT citizens.
“The U.S. is an extremely diverse society and attitudes towards LGBT people differ hugely across the country. LGBT travelers may be affected by legislation passed recently in the states of North Carolina and Mississippi. Before traveling, please read our general travel advice for the LGBT community. You can find more detail on LGBT issues in the U.S. on the website of the Human Rights Campaign,” the advisory reads.
The statement follows North Carolina enacting “bathroom bill” laws, and Mississippi passing a religious freedom bill.
The U.K. issued the following advice for LBGT travelers:
- avoid potentially risky situations—don’t do anything that you wouldn’t at home
- excessive physical shows of affection, by both same-sex and heterosexual couples, are often best avoided in public
- if you intend to visit cruising areas or internet chat rooms find out about the local situation—police in some countries have been known to carry out entrapment campaigns
- be wary of new-found ‘friends’—criminals sometimes exploit the generally open and relaxed nature of the gay scene
- if you receive unwelcome attention or unwelcome remarks, it’s usually best to ignore them
- you’re more likely to experience difficulties in rural areas, so it’s best to exercise discretion
- some resorts can be quite segregated—when you are outside the ‘gay neighborhood’ expressions of sexuality may be frowned upon
- some hotels, especially in rural areas, won’t accept bookings from same-sex couples—check before you go
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