Transgender Woman Says She Was Delayed by TSA for Anatomical 'Anomaly'

[victoriafrantic]

I read this last night.  Yes it's infuriating, but it's sad that she said several times that she did not want publicity, she did not want to be out to the world and known as the woman with a penis. She declined the advocate's request to be interviewed.  Sure, her tweets are public,  bit can't we respect her requests for privacy?

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[chuufk]

They don't have those machines in Europe, do they?

They do have them in Europe and the UK. I have been through them several times when I was pre-op. I never declared as trans and they put me through as female. I was always tucked (had been for years) so maybe "it" never showed up.

One thing I am sure of - in the UK and parts of northern Europe, trans people are protected from discrimination and anyone giving you the sort of treatment this lady received would likely lose their job. I regularly find myself aghast at the levels of discrimination tolerated in the US. Over here, someone indulging in Kim Davis's sort of antics would have landed in hot water very, very quickly, possibly charged with a hate-crime.

[ErinS]

Well I flew yesterday afternoon for the first time since going full time with zero problems, despite a ridiculously outdated Global Entry card I used for ID. Global Entry/precheck cuts out about 90% of the security theater hassle IME.

I never have been through the scanner and before precheck I always opted out, given the known issue with scanners that's what I would suggest(second to getting precheck)

[Cindy]

I travel frequently and have had lots of scans and no issues, yes patted down but so are X% of people to keep the 'pat down' stats up to what is expected.

I also know we SHOULD have equal rights as any cis woman - but we don't ,as far as a body scan is concerned. So what do we do? Protest we don't have a stick of plastic explosive between our legs, or just tell the operator or guard that we are pre-op TG?

I'm not sure how many cis-women have been pulled over for having a tampon, certainly some, since drug smugglers bringing contraband in their vagina are detected. So while I am extremely sympathetic to this lady, I am also concerned that possibly the situation may have been 'contrived' in some way.

As a TV program said: The truth is out there. I'm just not sure if we always get the truth. I'm pretty damn certain that sometimes no one knows what the truth is, but opinion is more powerful.

I do recall going through a scan and my (TG) colleague was stopped, then put through again and she started to complain of harassment. The officer said, it would help us if you explained what is in your cleavage. A pair of spectacles in a protective pouch appeared - even though there where clear signs to remove your glasses and place them in a tray prior to going through the scan.

I am in no way blaming the lady in the report, and I feel for her, but sometimes we have to give and take.

I'm TG, I got over it. Security has a job to do! Help them do their job and they help and respect you!

JMO

[Samantha C]

This should never have happened it is a shame in every way.
The TSA, the media, the tweeting during the whole thing the airlines response a shame.
Even Shadi P.  Might have been able to defuse the situation since the TSA was obviously unfamiliar with TG procedures I have had issues before and in this situation ask for a supervisor the TSA agent has to get one but you have to comply.  Often the supervisor will know the correct way to proceed.  Getting into it with the TSA agent is like kicking a pit bull in the face you get bit and more than once.

I work at the airport and have to deal with this everyday
Folks who fly don't realize they may sail through ten times with no issues then the day comes they get in line with the new screener or the one who slept through training and now they're in a dog fight they can't win.

This is my opinion but the low power X-ray booths are an invasion of everyone's right to privacy

Cindy I agree they have a job to do.....

[Miril]

I have only been "hassled" once by an agent that I think was just new on the job and a little flustered.    I just asked for the supervisor and a few questions cleared things up quickly.    Maybe I was just lucky but I have learned after many years of air travel its just always best not to get into an argument with the TSA agents.  Guy, Girl or TG, you are just not going to win a public argument with a minor bureaucrat in a uniform.  Best to keep your cool, know the rules and your rights.   Hopefully someday all this wont even be an issue.

One thing I did learn, best just to not wear a girdle with metal stays to the airport and avoid the scrutiny all together.