Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I know there have been posts on this before, but, any tips for surviving a flight and the TSA being a MTF trans person?  Things I should think of that I never encountered before before as a guy?

Name and gender marker do not match on my ID do not match my presentation.

I used to fly a lot but it's been like three years now.  I've also considered rocking the androgynous look to try and get through this.  Good idea?

Thanks in advance!

I can't really help you, I've never flown before, but I am curious about this too. I want to visit a friend in a far country someday, and chances are I'll have to fly (and so does he if he'd want to come to my place), and we were both a bit worried about this.
I wouldn't know though, as I haven't even been on a plane as a 'cis' person. Lol

I'd love to hear about this as well as I'd like to return to Japan someday and I don't know how well that will go if my passport has that M on it.

I can say though you probably won't have to worry about a pat down, most airports have the x-ray scanners now. Don't know if the ID mismatch will be a problem though.

*bip* *bip* *bip* *bip* *bip*

:police: :: - Please miss take off your bell and shoes.
>:-) :: - Hey john, this one is id'd as a guy... lets her take off every single piece of clothes and check !!
:embarrassed: :: - Oups I just forget my keys in my pocket ...

I think if I had to do so, I'll try the androgynous style.
(( OR ultra confident wearing a flowered dress and a post-it inside the passport "I'm a trans' that why I'm still "M"'d on the ID... I'm working on that point. Thanks." ))

At that time I'm still traveling as a cis-guy.
Good luck.

If they ask just say hey I'm transsexual and they will let you pass. Worked for me in Italy and London

Not flying but I've been through the French and English customs on the ferry and the channel tunnel many times. They don't even pause for thought and just bid me on my way. Part of me wants them to at least say something, but I guess I don't pass at all.....

And just to be clear I'm fully dressed at the time

It's not like if you tell somebody in the TSA, that's the end of your chances at being stealth.

As long as your name matches on your ID and your plane ticket you'll be fine.

More info:

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/transgender-travelers (http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/transgender-travelers)

I can only speak for the US, but a lot of airports have those full body image scanners, and they may pull you aside no matter how well you are tucked. They are supposed to tell you that they have to search a certain area, and they offer to do that behind a privacy screen as well. Further, they should have a TSA agent matching your apparent gender perform the search, and they are supposed to be transgender aware (meaning they should be respectful of discrepancies between appearance and gender marker).

That is a bunch of "shoulds" as in, that's what their guidelines say. You may run into the occasionally power-happy jerk.

You could always get a letter from a doctor/therapist stating that you are transgender and your appearance differs from the gender marker (or whatever applies).

I still have my old ID from years ago (and gender male on it).... and they have stopped me when checking my ticket with ID a few times (one time they had me wait while he called over another person to help lol).

I found the entire thing hilarious :) I just sat there grinning going "is there a problem? is it because my hair is longer? ;3"

I'm looking forward to my next flight this month :3 Bwa ha ha ha ha

In Germany we have an unofficial transgender ID as addition to the official ID card. It shows an picture of the "real" not of the born gender. The transgender ID also explains in a few words that the is transgender and should be treated in compliance to their appearence. I think these ID cards are available in all European countries and they help a lot.

I am not sure if something similar is available in other countries.

Lara

The only place where this has been a major issue in my experience has been the United States, where I was refused entry at Atlanta International Airport back in 2007 despite having a female British passport.

I've travelled throughout Europe in Poland, Germany, the Czech Republic, and the UK and it hasn't been an issue.

Really? There's lots of trans people in Atlanta. I'm surprised they'd have much of an issue with it.

Quote from: NekoKoNeko on June 05, 2013, 09:19:40 AM
I can only speak for the US, but a lot of airports have those full body image scanners, and they may pull you aside no matter how well you are tucked. They are supposed to tell you that they have to search a certain area, and they offer to do that behind a privacy screen as well. Further, they should have a TSA agent matching your apparent gender perform the search, and they are supposed to be transgender aware (meaning they should be respectful of discrepancies between appearance and gender marker).

That is a bunch of "shoulds" as in, that's what their guidelines say. You may run into the occasionally power-happy jerk.

You could always get a letter from a doctor/therapist stating that you are transgender and your appearance differs from the gender marker (or whatever applies).

Actually the TSA just made an announcement they are changing out the FULL body scanners for the fuzzy scanners again so they will no longer be able to see everything. they can only see weapons and stuff in you  when they scan your body now. when you walk through it.

Hi All,

I want to follow this post. I live in Australia and have a daughter in London who I visit every couple of years so it is important to me. I will find it very difficult to pass as female due to my size and general physical appearance, but with any luck I will have GRS in the next 12 months or so. So this is very relevant to me.

One big plus for Australia is that it fairly easy to obtain a passport showing your gender as either male, female or other. This change took place the the last few years.  I have hear no stories about problems or difficulties.

I like the idea of the German transgender ID card, thank you Lara for mentioning it.

Jen

That's right! Oh! I forgot the scanners were going away.

before I changed to female in my US passport, I visited Europe, Japan, SE Asia, never had a problem with immigration or security in any countries. Even on a trip back to US, the immigration officer at the airport (not sure if it was SF or Chicago) asked to see both my ID and noticed my DL says 'F' but passport says 'M' so I told him I was born male but am in process of changing every document to female. He disappear for a minute or two and when he came back he said 'welcome back home, miss' or something sweet like that.

I wouldn't worry too much if I were you  :)

I actually just experienced this two weekends ago on a trip with some friends to New Orleans where I flew from Austin to NOLA and back. I was completely presenting as a woman the entire time and no one batted an eye. Check in at the airlines went smooth and security had no issue. They just looked at my ID which has me clearly looking like a male and M in gender. They asked what my name was and I told them my legal name as of today and was sent right through. My suggestion is to bring an extra form of ID just in case (passport) and make sure when it comes to forms and tickets you list your current legal gender. It was a great experience for me and one that was rather affirming.

Quote from: Alainaluvsu on June 05, 2013, 07:18:55 PM
Really? There's lots of trans people in Atlanta. I'm surprised they'd have much of an issue with it.

Yes really.. I was surprised that they had an issue with it, given the fact that nobody else did, but then again I'm referring to people in the Atlanta City Jail where I spent part of my only night in the States.

Well either the issue was with my being trans or my nationality. But there was an issue.

Eh, I would probably write a note and put it into my passport, if I really had to get on a plane. But honestly, I really don't want anyone to see me naked, as possible, for as long as I have this horror down there, scanner or not. So I'd probably postpone any trip until SRS (and consequently matching gender markers).

Quote from: laurenlg on June 06, 2013, 07:43:19 AM
I actually just experienced this two weekends ago on a trip with some friends to New Orleans where I flew from Austin to NOLA and back. I was completely presenting as a woman the entire time and no one batted an eye. Check in at the airlines went smooth and security had no issue. They just looked at my ID which has me clearly looking like a male and M in gender. They asked what my name was and I told them my legal name as of today and was sent right through. My suggestion is to bring an extra form of ID just in case (passport) and make sure when it comes to forms and tickets you list your current legal gender. It was a great experience for me and one that was rather affirming.

Considering the flight is to a job interview I love the idea of using an abundance of caution by having a second form of ID.

Maybe you can ask a transgender organization to issue the additional transgender ID. Here ist a link to the ID card with some text in it in English:
http://www.dgti.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10 (http://www.dgti.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10)

The site unfortunately is only available in German.

Lara

Hi Lara,

I love the idea of the additional or supplementary ID card. I can see so many times when this would be of great use, not just when flying. It would be a great help in explaining the difference the official document, (passport, drivers licence, etc.. and how we are presenting). I am in that situation now, I feel its like being in no mans, (no persons?) land. On a trip overseas last February/March I did receive a few strange looks at customs/immigration. It will only be more confusing next trip I guess.

I always find it interesting how an official looking document will help influence peoples attitudes. It seems to give clarity and legitimacy to their decision making.

Many thanks

Jen

Doesn't everyone usually carry around at least 2 or 3 ID cards? I have, eh, health insurance card, driver's license and student card, and if I were travelling outside the country (and if it hadn't expired many years ago) I'd also have my passport.

I know I carry at least two forms of id

Hi A and Tristan,

Yes I normally carry two or three forms of photo ID. However the type of card that Lara is talking about in Germany is for transgendered people.

http://www.dgti.org/images/Bilder/ergaus_hinten.jpg (http://www.dgti.org/images/Bilder/ergaus_hinten.jpg)

The link is for the English translation on the card. I think its a good idea. From what I can make out from the rough translation on-line the card is for people who are in the process of transitioning and are going through the real life test. Given the volume of "official" documents that we have these days it seems to me that it is a good way to explain why there is a conflict between the information on the document and how the person is presenting. I think this waould be very handy for travelling overseas, a bit like an International Drivers Licence.

Perhaps Lara can give a bit more detail about the ID card.

Cheers

Jen

I've only done local flights around Australia and no one has blinked. I get scanned by female guards and they have not even wanted me to take my wrist bangles off. One I can't take off anyway.

Jennifer, I got my new passport and it was very simple. My gender marker was changed as well, which I thought was supposed to be blank, but the clerk just  put F on my passport.

I had no issues going to Korea and I still haven't legally changed my name yet- traveling solely with passport only. TSA was a breeze, and even homeland security on the way back was more than polite. They were REALLY nice. They gave me a hard time when I used to present male. Now I guess they don't see me as a threat to our nation as a female... lol

Quote from: Jennygirl on June 07, 2013, 04:09:35 AM
I had no issues going to Korea and I still haven't legally changed my name yet- traveling solely with passport only. TSA was a breeze, and even homeland security on the way back was more than polite. They were REALLY nice. They gave me a hard time when I used to present male. Now I guess they don't see me as a threat to our nation as a female... lol

Sorry for going off topic for a minute. I had a student who was Palestinian, a really nice guy, but he looked just like the archetypical Hollywood terrorist. As he said by the time he shaved the stubble was growing back from where he started!!
He would get bailed up in every airport. He went to Singapore for a holiday and they wouldn't let him out of the airport.

All because he looked like a character from a movie. Ahh I think security services need a reality check sometimes!!!

Hi Cindy,

I wish that changing the gender marker on a birth certificate was as easy as changing one on your passport. The group I belong to in Canberra, (AGA), are concerned that the policy DFAT currently has for gender markers on passports may change after the elections in September. They are urging people to apply for or change their passports before the elections. I don't know how real the concern is but it is probably a good idea.

Cheers

Jen

Quote from: Jennifer Snowskier on June 07, 2013, 03:38:18 AM
Hi A and Tristan,

Yes I normally carry two or three forms of photo ID. However the type of card that Lara is talking about in Germany is for transgendered people.

http://www.dgti.org/images/Bilder/ergaus_hinten.jpg (http://www.dgti.org/images/Bilder/ergaus_hinten.jpg)

The link is for the English translation on the card. I think its a good idea. From what I can make out from the rough translation on-line the card is for people who are in the process of transitioning and are going through the real life test. Given the volume of "official" documents that we have these days it seems to me that it is a good way to explain why there is a conflict between the information on the document and how the person is presenting. I think this waould be very handy for travelling overseas, a bit like an International Drivers Licence.

Perhaps Lara can give a bit more detail about the ID card.

Cheers

Jen

I am not from Germany, but I find their practice with special ID cards to be a very good example. In addition, if You would google the keywords "human rights and gender identity best practice catalogue" You will find the PDF document "Human Rights and Gender Identity. Best Practice Catalogue" which was published by the Council of Europe, which contains quite a good selection of various national, regional and international standards, as well as examples of best practices all around the world. It might be a bit out-of-date given its date of publishing, but it is very comprehensive nevertheless, given the very slow state of development in this area... It is mostly interesting for lawyers, activists and NGOs, but I am sure everyone can find something interesting there :)

And going back to our topic, on page 22 You can find the sample of the said ID card - it comes in three languages and I will just quote:
"In Germany, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Transidentität und Intersexualität e.V. (dgti), in agreement with the Ministry of Interior, issues Ersatzausweise (alternative identifi cation cards) for trans people who have not changed name and/or gender in accordance with existing legal gender recognition procedures. To qualify for such an ID card, trans people need to: (i) submit an application to dgti, and (ii) provide an initial Gender Identity Disorder diagnosis or proof of commencement of cross-hormonal treatment. The Ersatzausweis has a standard credit card size and comes in three languages (German, English and French). It contains a picture of the cardholder, and relevant personal data including the chosen name. Interestingly, since German ID cards do
not feature a gender marker, the Ersatzausweis does not make a reference to the person's gender either. The validity of the ID card is ensured through a reference to the offi cial identifi cation number and is valid for the same time period as the official card. The text of the Ersatzausweis briefl y explains the purpose and reasons for this alternative ID card."

Quote from: Jennygirl on June 07, 2013, 04:09:35 AM
I had no issues going to Korea and I still haven't legally changed my name yet- traveling solely with passport only. TSA was a breeze, and even homeland security on the way back was more than polite. They were REALLY nice. They gave me a hard time when I used to present male. Now I guess they don't see me as a threat to our nation as a female... lol

I've been to/from Korea many times alone and when I had shorter hair I had less questioning, but the last 2 times I got mamed to go to the next window (coming back from Korea) I got a bit more questions thrown at me... Keeping in mind when I travel I try to be male. Now I'm going back next month and in July, so we'll see how that goes.

Remember what TSA screeners (and overseas screeners) are looking for - things that are a security risk only.  Don't believe any of the silly stories in the media about screeners who are feeling people up or strip searching them - I have found them always 100% professional and focused, and the contents of your underwear (from a genital perspective at least) just does not interest them at all.  Those stories are almost universally set-ups by activists who dislike "government" and think that "freedom" means they should be able to carry whatever they like on a plane, and they have gone out of their way to make a story where no story exists.  If your ID is in order, you're good to go.

Just be smart – if your ID says you're male and you're a presenting as a guy, leave the bra full of wire at home that day. Things like that obviously raise red flags, not because it's someone who looks like a guy wearing a bra and they want to gawk and giggle, but because it warrants further investigation because it could be a guy with a bomb strapped to his chest. Metal near a guy's chest is odd, but near a female's chest, it's normal. The same would apply if your ID says you're female and you're presenting as female, but you have a packer stuffed in your underwear that might be filled with gel.  If they frisk you, it will raise questions because it's something that isn't normally there.

But even if it does raise questions, they really have seen and heard it all before, and just a quick explanation that you're TG/TS would get you through that checkpoint quickly and discretely.  It's not as if they get on the PA system and announce "Supervisor to checkpoint four – we've got a ->-bleeped-<-!" before hauling you off to a room where they put on the rubber gloves and go to town.

I feel like we should put together some sort of community-sourced book on this stuff - flying, jobs, pitfalls, processes - something lightweight and humorous but also very useful - and publish it.

'The idiot's guide to being transgender', perhaps? With optional stealth flip cover 'the idiot's guide to sports, cars, and hunting' and 'the idiot's guide to makeup, boys, and hair' for the gents?

Quote from: ZoeM on June 10, 2013, 10:31:36 AM
I feel like we should put together some sort of community-sourced book on this stuff - flying, jobs, pitfalls, processes - something lightweight and humorous but also very useful - and publish it.

'The idiot's guide to being transgender', perhaps? With optional stealth flip cover 'the idiot's guide to sports, cars, and hunting' and 'the idiot's guide to makeup, boys, and hair' for the gents?

There would need to be multiple stealth covers, I live as a stealth woman, I am NOT carrying a book with a cover that says it is a guide to SPORTS cars and hunting that is going to be a dead giveaway, I walk around in skirts with a purse and makeup  ;D

Quote from: vegie271 on June 10, 2013, 10:48:47 AM


There would need to be multiple stealth covers, I live as a stealth woman, I am NOT carrying a book with a cover that says it is a guide to SPORTS cars and hunting that is going to be a dead giveaway, I walk around in skirts with a purse and makeup  ;D

Hence the flip cover. :)

No problems with the TSA coming out here.