Advice on travelling in Asia using gender choice IDs

[warlockmaker]

I know that many of us will feel angry and upset but when travelling in Asia remember that they deem your sex by physical attributes. The countries in Asia all have the rule that your IDs including passport must match your physical gender and they can refuse entry to their country. This law tends to be flexible but I warn that any Western person that aggressive attitude towards immigration officers will result in you being sent back to your city of flight origin.

In Thailand, a Thai national cannot change their sex on any IDs. Fortunately all persons are referred to as Khun and its the same for both genders. They are trying to change this law to be uniform with other Asian countries - namely, if a sex change operation has been done they will issue gender change ID and recognize you as the gender on your ID. Generally, they just don't care unless you cause trouble.

For example Hong Kong, one of the most liberal cities in Asia, recently barred two TGs from entry unless they signed a letter confirming they had a sex change operation. I understand they were impolite and aggressive when asked by immigration officers, who do not speak good English, questions that they took offence, and refused to sign the letter' Remember this is their country and you live by their rules. Normally, if you keep a low profile and not make a scene they don't care and allow you BUT is you make a scene they will bar your entry

All countries in Asia have a restroom law that you can only use toilets that match your physical gender. Even in Thailand this law exists but is not enforced.

Generally, if you behave politely and comply with their requests, this law is not enforced.

[barbie]

I am not on HRT, and I traveled around the world frequently. I have never experienced anything embarrassing in the immigration desk. The countries I have visited include China, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Russia.
Also I frequently fly to the mainland, and no problem at all at the security check.
Yes. Do not make any fuss in the airport. I am always very polite to the staffs there.

One exceptional moment was when a female security staff at a domestic airport was trying to pat down me in the security check. There, male staffs take charge of male passengers and vice versa. Then, another female security staff shouted to her like "That person is a man!". She already saw my ID and shouted like that. I was embarrassed, not because of the fact, but she shouted so loudly in the crowd, unnecessarily making me the target of attention of other passengers. I talked directly to her not to do that way. She apologized, but I guess even she did not know why she had to apologize. She seemed to be a untrained new staff.





barbie~~

[Barb99]

I just returned to the USA from a 10 day trip to China and I had no trouble at all. This was my first international trip as myself. All of my ID's match my presentation and have a female gender marker.

I'm pre GRS, still have a large adams apple and big nose. I was always polite and smiled when going through customs and when out and about in China.
I even passed the "female" designated x-ray at the TSA on my way out!

I always try to be nice and act like a very confident woman. Seems to work most everywhere!

[warlockmaker]

You are both so right, even though its the law it is not enforced unless you are rude. If the immigration makes an embarrassing comment don't get agressive be polite and it will pass. Asians have this thing called giving face to people, if you cause them to lose face then all hell breaks loose. And Barbie you are stunning.

[AnonyMs]

I'd never cause problems at immigration anywhere. There's a massive imbalance of power and very little you can do about it. I believe have been added to watch lists in the USA over this and not been able to fly at all. Good luck fixing that.

I get stopped and searched every time when I travel now if I go though a scanner, USA and Australia. I'm presenting male and my breasts show up. I just tell them I'm trans and I've never had any problems with it. They have been polite so far.