The Belgian Foreign Ministry is to adjust the travel advice it gives to Belgians that are planning to visit the United States. The decision comes after warnings of tighter border controls and the changing attitude of the US government towards the LGBTQI+ community. It is not yet immediately clear when the modified travel advice will take effect.
Belgium to modify travel advice to the US due to “tighter border controls and changing attitudes towards the LGBTQI+ community”
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Belgium is following the example of Germany, Denmark and Finland. The Netherlands also announced on Tuesday that it is modifying the travel advice to given to Dutch national travelling to the US.
The Dutch Foreign Ministry’s travel advice now reads “The ministry advises that LGBTQI+ people should be aware that laws and customs in the US towards LGBTQI+ persons may differ from those in the Netherlands.”
Changing attitudes towards LGBTQI+ people
A foreign ministry spokesperson told VRT News that “The foreign ministry and the Belgian embassy and consulates in the United States are closely monitoring the situation with regard to LGBTQI+ rights in the country”.
“The current travel advice already warns of the varying attitudes towards people from the LGBTQI+ community, which can differ greatly from state to state.”
However, in light of tighter border controls and changing attitudes towards transgender people and the LGBTQI+ community, the Belgian government is working to update its travel advice. This should better inform travellers of potential difficulties in entering the United States and the risks they may face.
“The travel advice provides insight into local legislation and attitudes in society towards LGBTQI+ people. Under the heading ‘Local laws’, it clarifies whether homosexual relationships and marriages are legal and whether anti-discrimination laws are in place. It also addresses social acceptance in different regions and the difference between urban and rural areas, which can be an important factor in the US”, the Belgian foreign ministry says.
When preparing travel advice, the Belgian Foreign Ministry takes into account the views of other EU member states to ensure consistency between advice. To this end, the embassies of other EU countries in the US are consulted. The Belgian government stresses that travellers should seek information themselves well in advance of their trip and take into account local legislation and the social context at their chosen destination.