Are you wary of travelling to USA currently?

[RosaMoline]

I am sure you will tell me I’m BU, but that’s fine!
I’ve been to the states numerous times - Florida (all over, not just Disney/Orlando), New York City, California (los Angeles), Massachusetts and New Orleans.
Myself and 2 adult DCs were planning to go to Orlando again this October. Primarily for Halloween and DS (28) is autistic & very fixated with all things Disney.
DD (30) and I decided not to go ahead and take DS to Disneyland Paris instead. Yes, we’ve been there before, and it doesn’t really compare to the US version (IMO) not even close, but DS won’t mind.
it’s solely down to the current POS in charge and all his minions. America seems (to me) to be on a knife edge, very volatile, and DD being LGBT is understandably unsettled too.
I am not the sort of person who usually would even give a moment’s thought to something like this, but I just have a really uneasy feeling about going there. Chances are, at age 58, I may never go again.
AIBU or would you be thinking twice at the moment about travelling there? (especially Florida which is a red state)
I detest that man SO much!

I’m a dual US/UK citizen (I grew up in the USA) and have many family members and friends who live there. I can say that many people are upset about the political situation, but there haven’t been any changes to safety and people and places are just the same as they always have been. I have expat friends who live here in the U.K. who have cancelled visits home - but purely for emotional reasons. Disney has a long history of being very pro LGBTQ since at least the 90s. I don’t think your family member would have anything to be concerned about.

I get what you’re saying, but it’s not just that. The whole place doesn’t ’feel safe’ for a number of reasons.

I wouldn't ever go myself as I'm not comfortable going to places where gun ownership, and indeed use, is seen as a God-given right.
Of course, the chances of being caught up in their willful violence is very small, as it largely happens in shopping malls, schools and churches, rather than tourist hotspots.
All that aside, I'm told it's lovely..

I wouldn't travel to the USA. I wouldn't want to give them my tourist dollars and I now feel about them like I did about South Africa before the end of apartheid.

We were planning to visit family there this summer but we have decided against it. I have no desire to go there at the minute.

Sadly appalling attitudes are creeping into the UK too at the moment...
Anecdote: I was getting on the bus today heading to a meeting with a client who speaks a different language (my ability to speak said language is a source of pride to me as it was bloody hard work). I was on the phone to him and wrapping up the conversation as I sat down next to a woman in her sixties/early 70s. She turned to me with a look of utter loathing and said verbatim "I cannot sit next to that" motioning me to let her get past. I duly did but I was shocked. I want to think she meant that she doesn't want people to talk on the phone next to her but I think it was something else...

You are definitely not being unreasonable.

Nothing could persuade me to set foot in the USA while that man & his type are running the country.
Why would I want to spend time in a country run by a convicted rapist & felon & a liar? a man who is removing the rights of women, people in the LBGTQ+ community, who is racist and disrespectful of anyone who is not rich & influential & supporting him.

What I find fascinating is watching The Handmaid's Tale against the current USA backdrop and seeing how terrifyingly plausible it has become.

Have they got two armies then? Or do you think their existing army is going to split in two and then they’re going to fight each other? Doesn’t sound very likely.

No I think Republicans have all the guns.

We were talking about going to Florida this year but as DD is of child bearing potential we won't.
Chances of her needing reproductive healthcare are tiny but not zero so I won't risk it

I think you and your family deserve to feel safe, and that’s what is most important. I can absolutely see what you are saying - I have been shocked by some of what has happened at the government level. For your own wellbeing, I can see why you would want to do something that felt predictable and reliable for you. I think it’s also important to remember that minorities or people with disabilities have a host of other vulnerabilities that non minorities are privileged not to think about. There are people who are going to feel much more vulnerable than others. I’m a heterosexual white middle class woman, and while yes, I am a woman, I’m also conscious that parts of my identity bring privilege. In the airport. At Disney world. Wherever. Your post has me thinking about the extra burdens carried by those who are minorities, who may feel much less protected at the moment.

Lots of democrats and independents own guns.

www.statista.com/statistics/249775/percentage-of-population-in-the-us-owning-a-gun-by-party-affiliation/

According to CTV News, Canadians spend $19 billion in tourism dollars each year.

www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/consumer-alert/article/20-million-canadians-spend-19-billion-in-the-us-each-year-this-year-many-are-staying-home/#:~:text=Typically%2C%20over%2020%20million%20Canadians,%2419%20billion%20in%20tourism%20dollars.

Especially the Washington Monument being turned into a huge cross...

Nope, just booked a summer holiday there

It’s like a blueprint. Particularly when you read the parts about the early years and the gradual changes that were introduced.

Im finding it all so sad.

…not if you are pregnant .. you’ll be left bleeding to death if anything goes wrong.

Also the way they are cutting through organisations who look after safety, I would be very wary of flying.

We are going later this year but I am more wary than usual.

There are huge changes to personal safety if you aren’t white and straight. Or if you’re a woman of childbearing age. Or if you’d like to fly or visit a national park. My entire extended family is in the states and many friends and all of them are scared.

Are you serious, I'm unsure if you're taking the piss or not?

Right - so does anyone seriously believe the republicans and democrats are going to start shooting at each other?

That’s a bit of a stretch though tbf..

Quite honestly, regardless of any concerns about safety, I would not personally be choosing to hand over my hard earned cash to the current US regime.

Yea, pls keep it handy. In the meantime may be check how much New York City and California get in revenue from tourists? Do you think that a pathetic little group of idiots trying to boycott by not travelling there would bankrupt the US? Specially as the OP came to said she went last in 2008. Laughable.

Also, does she knows Obama records in selling guns? Or the ramdom attacks happening in France. 🤣