Australia’s DFAT travel advice for the United States remains current on 22 August 2026, advising travellers to exercise normal safety precautions while warning that US entry requirements are strict. Equality Australia’s travel alert urges LGBTQIA+ Australians—particularly transgender, non-binary and gender-diverse people, to carefully assess the risks before travelling.
“Entry requirements are strict. US authorities have broad powers to decide if you’re eligible to enter,” DFAT says, adding that an approved ESTA or valid visa does not guarantee entry. DFAT also warns that the United States has no federal law explicitly protecting LGBTQIA+ people from discrimination, while state and local laws may affect travellers; the US State Department’s passport guidance says it issues only M or F markers corresponding to sex at birth and no longer issues X markers.
Equality Australia says its guidance is general rather than legal advice and recommends that people planning a US trip seek specialist migration advice. Travellers should check their documents and transit arrangements, confirm whether authorities accept an X gender marker, arrange comprehensive insurance and contact the relevant US consulate before departure, as DFAT says Australian consular assistance has limits.
As much as we love Americans and the old promise of the home of the free and brave, this current administration is definately not friendly to our community and threatens democracy and decency across the globe.
Travel to the USA for the global queer community used to be massive, with Prides, Broadway, Disney and other amazing American offerings being appealing to our tribes, yet many have been turned off even attempting to go to the USA for fear of being turned back – and after a 24 hour flight – thats worse than hell.
Rob is the founder of GTG. Launching the GTG-Sydney brand in 1995, it has gone from a VHS tourist guide for Sydney to a global phenomenon, partnering with Pride events and special events and charities all over the world, raising millions of dollars for the LGBTQIA+ communities and showcasing our big gay world to anyone who wants to join in the fun.
Rob is a trained marketer and journalist. An Emmy award winner, a NIDA-trained TV Presenter who has been on digital channels, cable and terrestrial broadcast television globally as a presenter, producer and creative.
He is currently editor-in-chief and producer of GTG and the co-host of The Unfashionably Late Podcast.