Advisory for LGBTQ travellers to U.S. underscores 'devastating' changes eroding queer rights, Manitoban says

A Manitoba woman and her wife are rethinking their U.S. travel plans after the Canadian government issued a travel advisory for LGBTQpeople heading to that country, warning thatsome state laws may affect them.

"It's devastating right now," said Deborah Romeyn,wholives in the Manitoba Interlake community of Sandy Hook with her wife,in referenceto arecent surge in state-level legislation targeting the LGBTQ community.

"It's a huge step backwards."

Romeynsaid she and her sister, who lives in North Carolina,"had a really good cry" on a recent FaceTime call.

Some U.S.states have enacted laws and policiessuch as prohibiting which bathrooms and public locker rooms transgender people can use, prompting an updatedadvisory fromGlobal Affairs Canadaposted Tuesday.

The advisory doesn't specify which states raise concerns, butadvises travellers "check relevant state and local laws" and points toa government of Canada websitethat providesgeneral information on safety for LGBT travellers.

The American Civil Liberties Union has saidit istracking 494 anti-LGBTQ bills in the U.S. that areworking their way through state legislatures.

Romeynsaid while she appreciates the Canadian government's advisory, it wasn'tentirely surprising. Shestarted noticing changes in attitudes in the U.S. last year when the country's Supreme Court overturned the 1973 abortion rights decision best known as Roe v. Wade.

Canada issues warning for LGBTQ travelers in the United States

1 year ago

Duration 2:12

A Manitoba woman and her wife are rethinking their U.S. travel plans after the Canadian government issued a travel advisory for LGBTQ people heading to that country, warning that some state laws may affect them.

"We decided at that time that we were not comfortable as two women travelling through the states in our camper. We just didn't feel safe,"Romeyntold CBC Manitoba's Information Radio host Marcy Markusa on Wednesday.

That's now creeping into their lives in Canada, Romeyn said, where anti-LGBTQsentiments are starting to echo theParental Rights in Education bill in the U.S., legislation commonlyreferred toas the "Don't Say Gay"law.

"We even have discussions here in Canada about whether or not to fly a rainbow flag, which is unthinkable to us in this day and age,"Romeyn said.

"For us even to have the conversation indicates that what's happening in the United States is profoundly affecting how we feel everywhere."

Planning changes for next U.S. trip

She and her wife, Judy Hill, are planning to headto New York in October but expectto make some difficult decisions.

"We are going to have a talk about modifying our behaviour,"Romeyn said."I don't know if we'll wear, for instance, our wedding rings, which is unthinkable."

The couple spent decadesfightingfor LGBTQ rights, and seeing some of them eroded bythecurrent climate has resurfacedhurtfulmemories, she said.

"Both Judy and I were in the first Pride Parade [in Manitoba in 1987], and at that time I wore a paper bag on my head because I was a teacher," said Romeyn, addingshe is ready to take up that fight again.

"Once we're done being devastated then it's time to muster again, and to generate the same sort of pushback that we did way back when we were much younger women."

Winnipeg-based travel agency ownerLinda Robidoux Burndorferis also watching what's happening in the U.S. She applauds the Canadian government for posting the advisory.

"I think it makes people just be a bit more aware," said Robidoux Burndorfer, whose company, Out'nAbout Travel,caters to the needs of theLGBTQcommunity, which she isa memberof.

"As far as my understanding,there's maybe 10 to 12 states that are kind of the ones that we want to look at.And I must say the majority of my clients aren't going to those states, so that's a good thing," she said.

But "depending on the state that you're going to, an extra level of caution and discretion is highly advised."

Like Romeyn,Robidoux Burndorfersays her level of comfort in the U.S. has changed.

"It hasbecome quite divisive.You're feeling a little less comfortable than you did, say 10 years ago, looking over your shoulder a little more going, 'OK, am I going to be a target of something something awful?'" she toldCBC Manitoba's Up to Speed host Faith Fundalon Tuesday.

"These thoughts were never in my head before."

Heather Milne, anEnglish professor at the University of Winnipeg and member of the LGBTQ community, also said issuing the advisorywas a wise decision, but said it's a good idea to "have your wits about you"no matter where you are.

"I also would remind people that sometimes it's not safe to hold hands with your partner in Manitoba as well. These dangers are sort of ever-present for queer people who are policed in ways that straight people and cisgender people are not," she said.

"It is sad that we are still in a state in 2023 where that's the case and where it actually, in fact, appears to be getting worse in a lot of locations."