UK adds North Carolina and Mississippi to its LGBT travel advisory, urges caution in rural areas

Brett T. | 7:40 PM on April 20, 2016

ABC News reports today that the United Kingdom has issued a warning to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender travelers in light of new legislation passed in North Carolina and Mississippi.

UK issues warning to LGBT travelers visiting the U.S. in light of new North Carolina and Mississippi laws. pic.twitter.com/FJWlc3PJLn

— ABC News (@ABC) April 20, 2016

We wouldn’t exactly call the U.K.’s note that LGBT travelers “may be affected by legislation” a warning, unless they were traveling to North Carolina for a concert. Passage of North Carolina’s “bathroom bill” has led Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, Ringo Starr, and other acts to cancel shows in protest.

Yes, the advisory does appear on an official government website, although we question the United Kingdom’s decision to link to the Human Rights Campaign, a lobbying group and political action committee that donates to Democrats by a 24-to-1 margin. No bias there.

Several people who read the warning were ashamed on behalf of the United States, despite police logging more than 6,000 hate crimes involving sexual orientation in the United Kingdom in 2014.

@ABC This is soooo embarrassing! What foreigners must think of US…. ugh!

— Helen's daughter (@yesmam47) April 20, 2016

Before applauding the U.K. for taking a stand against U.S. hatred and bigotry, readers might want to check out some of the government’s general travel advice for the LGBT community, which might not fly with the out and proud. Consider how severely Gov. John Kasich was excoriated for “victim blaming” when he admitted to advising his teen daughters to avoid parties where there’s a lot of alcohol.

Avoid potentially risky situations – don’t do anything that you wouldn’t at home
Excessive physical shows of affection, by both same-sex and heterosexual couples, are often best avoided in public
If you receive unwelcome attention or unwelcome remarks it’s usually best to ignore them
You’re more likely to experience difficulties in rural areas so it’s best to exercise discretion

In general, travelers are warned that “attitudes towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGB&T) travellers around the world can be very different from those in the UK.”