Canada’s queer fam is mad as hell—and we’re parking our loonies somewhere they’ll be respected. From Winnipeg to Whitehorse, LGBTQ+ Canucks who once flocked south for Palm Springs pool parties or West Hollywood drag brunches are tapping cancel on U.S. getaways.

We’re not boycotting over bad coffee or flight delays. We’re reacting to a rising tide of anti-LGBTQ+ politics, hate crimes, and “Make America Straight Again” vibes that make crossing the border feel more like Russian roulette than retail therapy.

This piece breaks down the numbers, the rage, and the brand-new itineraries—Mexico, Europe, or good old Cape Breton—now filling our Insta feeds. American readers, buckle up: here’s exactly why your northern neighbors are ghosting you.

The Vibe Shift North of the 49th

Ask any gay Canadian why they’re side-eyeing U.S. customs and you’ll get the same answer: it’s not about the exchange rate; it’s about the climate—political, not tropical. What used to be a quick hop for shopping or circuit events has morphed into a moral dilemma.

Queer Canadians see ourselves in the pronoun-punched kids of Florida and the drag queens fined in Tennessee. Allyship means spending our travel dollars where equality isn’t just a marketing slogan but a lived reality. That urgent solidarity is driving a very real travel pivot.

Poll Numbers Don’t Lie: Nearly Half Are Staying Home

A February 2025 Leger survey found 48% of Canadians are “less likely” to visit the U.S. this year, citing safety and politics as key concerns.

Another Longwoods International study pegs the rejection even higher: 60% of Canadians flat-out plan to avoid U.S. trips in 2025.

Statistics Canada backs up the sentiment with hard departure data: Canadian air returns from the States dropped 13.5% year-over-year in March 2025, the third monthly decline in a row.

Translation? We’re swapping TSA lines for tequila tastings in Mérida or wine tours in the Okanagan—no MAGA hats in sight.

Trump’s Rhetoric and the Politics of Exclusion

Donald Trump’s second White House stint rolled out more than tariffs; it reignited culture-war flames aimed squarely at queer folks. Canadians hear the chants, see the rallies, and think, “Hard pass, girl.”

Senator Jacky Rosen recently warned that international arrivals to the U.S. are tanking under Trump 2.0—a 12% drop overall, with Canadians leading the pull-out.

The rhetoric isn’t just noise; it fuels policy. Border agents report upticks in secondary screenings for rainbow-clad travelers, and social media is brimming with stories of Canadians asked invasive questions about gender markers. Whether anecdotal or systemic, the message is clear: we’re not welcome.

Record Hate Crimes Put Safety Front and Centre

Safety is more than a hashtag. The latest FBI data show anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes spiked 23% for sexual-orientation bias and 16% for gender-identity bias in a single year.

Canadians who grew up under marriage equality since 2005 are gobsmacked by stories of queer bashings on U.S. subways and trans women arrested for using the “wrong” restroom. Vacation is supposed to soothe nerves, not spike cortisol.

Anti-Trans Laws: A Line Too Far

As of May 2025, the ACLU is tracking 575 anti-LGBTQ+ bills—including bans on drag shows, gender-affirming care, and even Pride flags—across state legislatures.

For trans Canadians, or anyone traveling with gender-diverse friends, that legislative minefield is a non-starter. Who wants to spend money where their pronouns are a political punching bag? It’s no surprise travel agents are reporting a surge in bookings to Spain, Portugal, and Costa Rica—destinations touting gender-inclusive policies.

Mexico, Europe, and the Beauty of “Stay Gay-cation”

If American tourism boards want to know where our pink dollars are flowing, look at Puerto Vallarta’s packed Malecon or Montréal’s booming domestic Pride circuit. Sunwing’s YVR-Cancún route is selling out months in advance. Air Canada just added extra seasonal seats to Lisbon and Barcelona.

Domestic hot spots are winning, too. Prince Edward County’s queer-owned wineries and Vancouver Island’s surf towns are capitalizing on the “travel ethical, travel local” mantra. The HomoCulture Tour, originally U.S.-heavy, is pivoting north and abroad because that’s where readers want to go.

Dollars Diverted: The Economic Blow to U.S. Tourism

Canadians pump roughly $21 billion CAD into U.S. tourism each year, making us the country’s largest international market. A Financial Times report warns a boycott could strip $9 billion USD from the 2025 U.S. tourism economy.

Border towns from Buffalo to Bellingham are already feeling the chill: duty-free stores closed early this spring; Florida condo boards are scrambling to replace snowbird dollars. Yet some U.S. lawmakers shrug, claiming domestic travel offsets the loss. Spoiler: it doesn’t.

Dear America: What Canadians Need to Feel Welcome Again

1. Federal Protections. Pass the Equality Act already. A nationwide anti-discrimination shield would send an instant message of safety.
2. Hate-Crime Enforcement. Fund local policing that actually tracks and prosecutes anti-LGBTQ+ violence.
3. Roll Back Anti-Trans Bills. Stop legislating trans bodies—it’s medieval and it’s killing your tourism brand.
4. Tone Shift. Leadership matters. When the Oval Office amplifies queerphobia, border officers and bigots get the memo.

Meet us halfway, America, and we’ll bring back our brunch budgets.

Travel Planning Tips for the Wary Canuck

• Know Your Rights. Carry digital copies of passport, provincial health card, and gender-marker documents.
• Stay Informed. Check the Canadian government’s travel advisories; they’ve quietly upgraded warnings for several U.S. states.
• Allies on Speed Dial. Apps like GeoSure and Equaldex crowd-source safety scores for neighborhoods worldwide.
• Insurance Upgrade. Opt for policies that include hate-crime or civil-unrest clauses—because yes, that’s a thing now.
• Vote with Your Wallet. Support queer-owned businesses wherever you roam; your dollars are a diplomatic tool.

Our Pride Won’t Be Compromised

Canadian gays aren’t fleeing the U.S. to make a statement—we’re doing it to stay safe, joyful, and loud. Our passports remain ready, but only for places that respect our existence.

So, dear American friends: we love your drag, your nightlife, your desert raves. We want to come back, tip big, and paint the town rainbow. But until hate-crime graphs flatten and anti-trans bills die, we’ll be sipping mezcal in Oaxaca or hiking the Rockies—proud, loud, and decidedly not in the land of the free.

Have thoughts? Drop a comment below, share your own travel pivots, and let’s keep this conversation fiercer than a RuPaul runway. Pride season is calling—where will you plant your flag?