UK issues LGBT travel advice for North Carolina and Mississippi

LONDON -- The UK Foreign Office has issued new travel advice urging LGBT tourists to be aware of both states' laws when travelling to North Carolina and Mississippi. 

The advice -- published on the official government website -- warned of the new legislation passed recently in both states, branded as "anti-LGBT" by campaigners.

"The US is an extremely diverse society and attitudes towards LGBT people differ hugely across the country," reads the Foreign Office's advisory. 

"LGBT travellers may be affected by legislation passed recently in the states of North Carolina and Mississippi. Before travelling please read our general travel advice for the LGBT community. You can find more detail on LGBT issues in the US on the website of the Human Rights Campaign," it continues. 

North Carolina's government passed House Bill 2 (HB2) in March, a law that prevents cities and counties from passing their own anti-discrimination laws, and forces transgender citizens to use restrooms matching their biological sex, not the gender with which they identify.

Mississippi's law has a similar bathroom condition, and prevents the government prosecuting businesses who refuse to serve LGBT people.

Ty Cobb of the Human Rights Campaign said it was "both frightening and embarrassing" that one of the U.S.'s "staunchest allies has warned its citizens of the risks" of travelling there. 

"It is now more clear than ever that these terrible measures are not only harming individuals and taking an economic toll on the states, but are also causing serious damage to our nation's reputation, and the perceived safety of LGBT people who travel here," Cobb continued. 

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