The Canadian government has issued new advice warning travelers about laws recently passed in the U.S. that target gay, bisexual, transgender and other queer people.
"Some states have enacted laws and policies that may affect 2SLGBTQI+ persons," the advisory states, using the expanded term that includes reference to two-spirit, intersex and other sexualities. …"Not all countries have the same values and legal system that we have in Canada. As a result, it is important for you to be informed about the legal framework and social customs governing sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics in your destination country," that page notes.
Within the U.S., there's a 35% jump in hate crimes led by the anti-gay hysteria on the right. Were it not for the need to be diplomatic, I suspect the advisories would be more blunt about it becoming a bad idea to go to these places if you're out and obvious.
The FBI recorded a total of 10,840 hate crime incidents in 2021, up from 8,052 in 2020, according to a supplemental addition to the agency's annual hate crimes report.
The annual report tracks hate crime incidents based on reports from thousands of law enforcement agencies nationwide; a first 2021 report issued by the FBI in December showed a decrease in hate crimes, but it relied on incomplete data, according to the agency.
The supplemental report, which includes a more complete data set from law enforcement, paints a stark picture of bias-fueled crime in the United States.
