United Kingdom issues travel advisory for LGBT citizens visiting NC

In the wake of House Bill 2’s passage, the British Foreign Office has issued a travel advisory to warn its LGBT citizens of the new laws in North Carolina and Mississippi.

“The U.S. is an extremely diverse society and attitudes towards LGBT people differ hugely across the country,” the advisory says. “LGBT travelers may be affected by legislation passed recently in the states of North Carolina and Mississippi. Before traveling please read our general travel advice for the LGBT community.”

The United Kingdom’s government isn’t taking a position for or against the new laws. The travel advisory refers British citizens to a description of House Bill 2’s impacts on the website of the Human Rights Campaign, a group that has been one of the law’s leading opponents in North Carolina.

Among the U.K. Foreign Office’s tips for LGBT citizens traveling abroad: “You’re more likely to experience difficulties in rural areas so it’s best to exercise discretion.”

According to British newspaper The Independent, the Foreign Office hasn’t previously offered state-specific advice on LGBT travel.

This story was originally published April 20, 2016 at 1:06 PM with the headline "United Kingdom issues travel advisory for LGBT citizens visiting NC."