U.K. Officially Warns LGBT Travelers About Visiting The U.S.
by Cheryl Rosen /Photo:
New laws in North Carolina and Mississippi that address the bathroom rights of transgender travelers have led the U.K. to issue a formal warning to travelers heading to the southeastern states.
The update was issued by the UK Foreign Office on its website, under the heading of "local laws and customs." It highlights potential problems for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LBGT) travelers, noting that “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."
The North Carolina "bathroom" law, passed in March, bans individuals from using public bathrooms that don't correspond to their biological sex at birth. Bruce Springsteen, Ringo Starr, and Pearl Jam have canceled concerts in North Carolina because of the bill. The Mississippi "religious liberties" law, House Bill 1523, which will take effect in July, allows businesses and religious groups to deny services such as counseling, wedding planning, and adoption support to LGBT couples and blocks cities from allowing them to use public bathrooms based on the sex as which they identify.
Meanwhile, the Huffington Post reports there are more than 100 bills pending in 22 states that could affect LGBT people.