Words by @dominiquesisley

The UK Foreign Office has issued a warning to LGBT travellers hoping to enter the USA, stating that they ‘may be affected’ by controversial new legislation in North Carolina and Mississippi.

The travel advice was updated on Tuesday, along with a link to the official Human Rights’ Campaign website. “The U.S. is an extremely diverse society and attitudes towards LGBT people differ hugely across the country,” it reads. “LGBT travellers may be affected by legislation passed recently in the states of North Carolina and Mississippi. Before travelling please read our general travel advice for the LGBT community.” North Carolina’s HB 2 law – which was passed last month – limits LGBT protections, and stops transgender people from using toilets that don’t match the gender on their birth certificate. Similarly, Mississippi’s new HB 1523 bill allows businesses to refuse service to gay people in the name of ‘religious liberty.’

The general travel advice put forward by the UK urges same-sex couples to avoid “excessive physical shows of affection” in public. It also stresses that it’s best to “exercise discretion” in rural areas of the states. “When you are outside the ‘gay neighbourhood’ expressions of sexuality may be frowned upon,” it explains. “Some hotels, especially in rural areas, won’t accept bookings from same-sex couples – check before you go.” After hearing that the UK had highlighted the issue, the HRC admitted that it was “embarrassed” for the US. “It is both frightening and embarrassing that one of our nation’s staunchest allies has warned its citizens of the risks of travelling to North Carolina and Mississippi because of anti-LGBT laws passed by their elected officials,” explained Ty Cobb, Director of HRC Global. “It is now more clear than ever that these terrible measures are not only harming individuals and taking an economic toll on the states, but are also causing serious damage to our nation’s reputation, and the perceived safety of LGBT people who travel here.” – words @dominiquesisley –

Source – Instagram @dazed

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