Several European allies update travel advisories for LGBTQ travelers entering U.S.

*This is reported by Yahoo News.

Several European countries have updated their travel guidance for citizens visiting the U.S., including recent guidance for transgender and nonbinary travelers.

It’s common for countries to issue travel advisories or warnings for things like crime levels, terrorism threats, current conflicts, health concerns or natural disasters.

The U.S. issues its own travel advisories for Americans traveling abroad, but a number of other countries are doing the same for the U.S. These new advisories come as the Trump administration is tightening U.S. borders, cracking down on undocumented migrants and implementing a new federal policy to recognize male and female, rather than gender identity, as the only legitimate sexes.

Canada, the United Kingdom and Germany have also updated their travel guidance for their citizens planning to travel to the United States after several tourists were detained by U.S. immigration authorities in recent months.

Travelers from many European countries and the U.K. can travel to the U.S. for business or tourism and stay for up to 90 days without a visa under the Department of Homeland Security’s Visa Waiver Program. But several travelers from countries within the program — like Canada, Germany, the U.K. and France — have been stopped and detained by U.S. immigration authorities within recent months.

Here’s what has transpired.

Nations with LGBTQ advisories for the U.S.

President Trump signed an executive order in January that says the federal government only recognizes two biological sexes: male and female. Per that order, a visitor applying for a visa or an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) must declare their sex assigned at birth on the application forms.

European allies, including DenmarkFinlandGermanyIrelandthe Netherlands and Portugal, issued guidance that advises transgender and nonbinary travelers to contact the U.S. Embassy in their respective countries for more information on how to proceed if they wish to travel to the U.S.

Nations with other travel advisories for the U.S.

Canada

Recent tensions between the U.S. and Canada have risen over Trump’s trade war, not to mention his musings that he would make the northern ally the U.S.’s 51st state. Canada added new information under its U.S. travel advice page regarding the requirements for foreign nationals visiting for more than 30 days.

“Canadians and other foreign nationals visiting the United States for periods longer than 30 days must be registered with the United States Government. Failure to comply with the registration requirement could result in penalties, fines, and misdemeanor prosecution,” according to the Canadian government’s website.

The rule, enforced starting April 11, comes as part of an executive order signed by Trump, which requires all visitors staying for 30 days or longer to register with the U.S. government.

Germany

Last month, Germany updated its guidelines for its citizens looking to travel to the U.S. The European nation is investigating the cases of three of its citizens being denied entry and placed into detention by U.S. immigration authorities.

“Neither a valid [ESTA] authorization nor a valid U.S. visa constitutes a right to entry into the USA,” according to a translation of the German Foreign Office website. “The final decision regarding entry is made by the U.S. border official. It is recommended that you bring proof of your return journey (e.g., flight booking) upon entry.”

The office also warns of potential legal consequences. “Criminal records in the United States, false information about the purpose of their stay, or even a slight overstay of their visa upon entry or exit can lead to arrest, detention, and deportation.”

Two German nationals were detained in January as they were separately trying to cross the San Ysidro border between San Diego and Tijuana, Mexico, the New York Times reported. They have since returned to Germany with their cases resolved. A third remaining case involves a German national — who is a legal permanent U.S. resident who received a green card residency permit in 2008 — who was detained by ICE at Boston International Airport on March 7. He is now being held at the Wyatt Detention Center in Central Falls, R.I., NBC News reported.

The United Kingdom

The U.K. Foreign Office has updated guidance on its website in recent weeks for its citizens traveling to the U.S. It currently states, “You should comply with all entry, visa and other conditions of entry. The authorities in the U.S. set and enforce entry rules strictly. You may be liable to arrest or detention if you break the rules.”

Archived versions of the same website did not include potential legal consequences at the beginning of February and only stated, “The authorities in the U.S. set and enforce entry rules,” Reuters reported.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office did not explain the reason for the change.

The update comes around the same time a British tourist said she was held for more than two weeks in Washington state. Becky Burke, a 28-year-old from Wales, was backpacking through North America when she was allegedly denied entry into Canada on Feb. 26 “due to an incorrect visa,” according to a Facebook post by her father, Paul Burke. She was subsequently denied reentry into the U.S. and was detained at a facility in Tacoma, Wash.

Burke had stayed with a host family in Oregon, where she performed chores in exchange for food and lodging. She was told she violated her visa even though she was never paid. Travelers using a temporary visitor visa cannot accept work or employment in the country. Burke was repatriated back to the U.K. on March 18, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

New Zealand

Last November, New Zealand updated its travel guidelines to the U.S. to “Exercise increased caution in the United States of America (US) due to the threat of terrorism (level 2 of 4).” The nation’s government travel website points to higher active shooter incidents and violent crime in the U.S. compared to New Zealand.

‘Very disturbing’: Canadians flee Florida, worrying business owners

*This is being reported by WFLA.

An estimated 60,000 Canadian citizens flock to Florida each year, including many “snowbirds” who spend their winters in the Sunshine State.

In the wake of a new Trump administration policy requiring background checks and fingerprints if they plan to stay more than 30 days, as well as an ongoing trade war with our neighbors to the north, some Canadians say they’re leaving Florida for good.

“I live here six months. This is my home, but I’m leaving April 2nd,” a Canadian woman named Susan told NBC affiliate WBBH. She wasn’t comfortable giving her last name, fearing Canadians could become targets amid escalating tensions with U.S. leadership.

Susan was just one of several Canadians who said they’re selling their properties with no plans to return to Florida.

“We don’t want to be the 51st state, but we just want to be very good allies and wants things to go back to the way they were,” Canadian Janet Rockefeller said.

One family had plans to put down permanent roots in Florida, but have been eyeing other sunny locations like Mexico.

“The truth of the matter is, if I hadn’t prepaid everything and wasn’t here and your weather wasn’t so damn nice, I’d go home now,” Canadian Barry Presement told WBBH.

Presement’s wife, Ruth, wants to make clear that Canadian citizens still have plenty of love for Americans.

“We love the Americans,” Ruth Presement said. “No issue, but its very disturbing to have the president that he doesn’t need Canada for anything.”

Some Canadian homeowners are taking a wait-and-see approach, but some business owners said they’re worried this could affect their bottom line.

“It’s not only having a negative impact on the tourism market, but business as a whole,” Cole Peacock, who owns a business called Seed and Bean Market, told WBBH. “You need those extra visits to kick that profit margins to another level.”

10 Unique And Safe Places To Get Married If You’re Gay

Check out this slideshow put together and posted to MSN.

While some places still make same-sex marriage complicated (or even illegal), others celebrate it fully, offering welcoming venues and stunning locations for your big day. If you’re looking for somewhere unique, safe, and unforgettable to say “I do,” these destinations offer the perfect mix of charm, romance, and friendliness toward the queer community.

The cities mentioned in the slideshow are:

Amsterdam Netherlands

Queenstown New Zealand

Toronto Canada

Cape Town South Africa

Reykjavik Iceland

Barcelona Spain

Valleta Malta

Sydney Australia

Mexico City Mexico

Copenhagen Denmark

Each town on the slide deck has a short excerpt about why the author included them. Be sure to read it.

Also be sure to check out our world map for more info on moving to various countries.

This Is the Most Popular Country to Move to from the U.S. Right Now

This blog originally appeared at Apartment Theraphy.

If you’re considering a move beyond U.S. borders, this country across the pond might be your ideal destination for a cup of (afternoon) tea.

HireAHelper, an online marketplace facilitating the search and hiring of professional movers, recently conducted a study unveiling the locations where Americans have been relocating the most since the onset of the pandemic. The findings were derived from an analysis of monthly Google searches incorporating keywords such as “moving to Mexico,” “moving to Canada,” and “moving abroad.”

The leading destination, according to these findings? The United Kingdom.

As indicated by the study, although searches for relocating abroad have decreased by 30% compared to last year, the count of U.S. citizens moving to the primary destination countries has risen. For example, more than 11,500 Americans relocated to the United Kingdom in the initial half of the year, marking a 30% increase from the corresponding period in 2022.

An article from The Evening Standard outlines several reasons why numerous Americans are opting to move to London, including the increasing cost of living, soaring house prices, a strengthened dollar, and domestic political uncertainties. If you’re among those who searched “moving to the U.K.” on Google, discover the necessary steps for relocating across the pond.

On a different note, the second most favored destination is Mexico, where 19,620 U.S. citizens have chosen to relocate.

North of the border, Canada garnered more searches than any other nation, despite a 53% decrease compared to last year. Furthermore, Canada witnessed a 10% increase in the number of Americans moving there in the first six months of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. If you’re considering such a move, explore the steps for moving to Canada as an American.

Additional countries that attract American emigrants include various European nations, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Costa Rica, and Israel. In total, more than 821,000 U.S. citizens have moved to 40 different countries since 2017, driven by factors such as lower taxation, improved quality of life, and the growing trend of digital nomadism, among other reasons.

You can read more about HireAHelper’s study here.

About 300 individuals participated in a “guerrilla drag show” as a form of protest against an anti-transgender event.

This blog originally appeared at LGBTQ Nation.

“I dislike the necessity of being present to demonstrate our existence…yet, I also appreciate witnessing so many individuals standing up for this community,” expressed one of the performers.


Approximately 300 individuals attended a “guerrilla drag show” held this week outside an event featuring anti-transgender speakers. The anti-trans event, organized by the conservative student group Turning Point USA, occurred on Cal Poly’s campus in San Luis Obispo, California. It included speeches by de-transition advocate Chloe Cole and Canadian anti-LGBTQ+ activist Chris Elston.

Cole and Elston are currently part of a speaking tour titled “A Dad & A Detransitioner’s Take on the Transgender Movement.” Promoted by Turning Point on Instagram, the event claimed that the speakers would “explain what the transgender movement really is, the truth about it, and the myths that surround it!”

Chloe Cole, a detransitioner with right-wing views, has emerged as a strong advocate for anti-trans laws and policies. Chris Elston, known for wearing sandwich-board signs with anti-trans slogans, gained attention in 2020 and 2021 by displaying a billboard and wearing a sign that declared “I (heart) J.K. Rowling.” He also engaged in confrontations with women whom he perceived as overly supportive of trans rights.

To counter the anti-trans event hosted by Turning Point USA, the Cal Poly Drag Club organized a drag show outside the venue.

“The Drag Club stands as a beacon for the queer community and our allies. We’re appalled by Turning Point USA’s anti-trans agenda on our campus. In protest, we’re hosting a guerrilla drag show to embrace the love and queer joy present here…”

“Unlike the 300 attendees at the drag show, only 100 were present inside to hear the anti-trans speakers, as reported by San Luis Obispo’s The Tribune.”

“Video footage of the drag show captures hundreds of students cheering and dancing joyfully as they witness the performances.”


“I dislike having to be present to affirm our existence and demonstrate our pride, success, and resilience as trans individuals. However, I appreciate the overwhelming support shown by so many people for our community,” expressed Vinny Torres, drag club vice president and performer known as Skinny Mocha. “It’s a mix of emotions, but the solidarity is heartening.”


A university spokesperson responded to upset students who accused the school of insufficient action against Turning Point’s event, asserting the institution’s position.

“We acknowledge the concerns about specific guest speakers at Cal Poly,” stated spokesperson Matt Lazier. “However, it is not the university’s responsibility to determine who can or cannot share their perspectives on campus.”

Canada issues advisory to LGBTQ+ warn those travelling to the US

This blog originally appeared at Pink News.

Canada has updated its travel advisory for the United States, warning its LGBTQ+ residents that they may be affected by some state laws if they travel across the border.

Global Affairs Canada (GAC) has updated its travel advisory to include a warning for LGBTQ+ visitors to the United States. The advisory now advises LGBTQ+ travelers to check state and local laws before planning their trips, as some states in the US have enacted laws and policies that may affect LGBTQ+ individuals. This update is part of the ‘Laws and Culture’ section of the Canadian travel advisory, which aims to inform citizens about potential risks and legal considerations when traveling to other countries.

Global Affairs Canada (GAC) has updated its travel advisory to include a warning for LGBTQ+ travelers to the United States. While the advisory doesn’t specify particular laws or states, it highlights that certain US states have passed laws restricting access to gender-affirming care, banning drag shows, and limiting transgender community participation in sports. GAC advises LGBTQ+ travelers to be aware of local laws and customs governing sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics when traveling abroad. The update is meant to help travelers make informed decisions about their destinations, given the potential differences in legal frameworks and social customs. Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland emphasized that these travel advisories are professionally prepared to address specific risks to Canadians while abroad.

Click here to see full blog: https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/08/29/canada-travel-advisory-travel-us/

15 Best Countries for LGBTQ Expats – NBC News

This blog originally appeared at NBC News.

Prior to this week’s stunning presidential election results, a number of LGBTQ advocates and celebrities threatened to leave the U.S. should Donald Trump be elected. Now that the real estate mogul and reality TV star is America’s president-elect, NBC OUT has compiled a handy list of LGBTQ-friendly countries for U.S. expatriates.

Argentina, Belgium,Canada, Denmark,France, Iceland,Ireland,Luxembourg,New Zealand,The Netherlands,
Norway,South Africa, Spain, Sweden,Uruguay,

Read Full Article – https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/15-best-countries-lgbtq-expats-n683201


If you’re ready to look for a better state or county for you and your family (or family of choice), reach out to us at www.FleeRedStates.com

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