Friday in London during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Cameron, President Barack Obama addressed the British Foreign Office releasing a travel advisory warning to LGBT travelers to be aware of laws in North Carolina and Mississippi before visiting the United States, by saying “the laws that have been passed there are wrong and should be overturned.”
Obama said, “I will start with North Carolina and Mississippi. I want everybody here in the United Kingdom to know that people of North Carolina and Mississippi, they are wonderful people. They are hospitable and beautiful states and you are welcome. You should come and enjoy yourself. I think you will be treated with extraordinary hospitality. I also think that the laws that have been passed there are wrong and should be overturned. They are in response to politics in part and some strong emotions that are generated by people, some of whom are good people, but I just disagree with when it comes to respecting the equal rights of all people regardless of sexual orientation whether transgender or gay or lesbian. Although I respect their different viewpoints, I think it is important for us not to send signals that anybody is treated differently. I think it is fair to say that we are not unique among countries where particularly under a federal system in which powers dispersed, there is going to be some localities and officials putting forward laws that are not necessarily reflective of a national consensus. If you come to North Carolina or Mississippi, everybody will be treated well.”
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