The Chair of St. John’s Pride is praising a federal government decision to update its travel advisory for the United States following state-specific legislation aimed at the LGBTQ+ community.

Legislation passed in some states have restricted things such as drag shows and access to gender-affirming procedures.

Now, the federal government has updated its travel advisory to say that people should familiarize themselves with state and local laws before planning a visit.

Eddy St. Coeur says the decision is not outside of conversations already happening in the community.

He uses California as an example. He says there was a shop owner there who had a pride flag hung outside their business and was shot dead because of it. He says there are a lot of places that are not safe for people in the community.

St. Coeur says it is causing some difficult conversations between family members. He says a family was going down to Florida and they suggested to their queer family member “just don’t be gay while you’re down there.” He says people in the community hear that a lot.

St. Coeur likens that to asking someone not to be a Newfoundlander for an entire weekend.