Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Hi, not sure of the proper place to post this, but here goes; I'm ftm transgender and pre-t (for a few months at least) but stealth and passing. I'm going on a trip this summer to several countries in Latin America and I was wondering if anybody has had experience with traveling extensively while pre medical transition. Like did you encounter any awkward situations or anything like that? And any specific precautions/advice besides common sense stuff?

Are you taking a plane? I've found that ever since I started wearing a binder, I always set off the security scanner thing. It's never been a huge issue though, they just pat me down and let me go.

Quote from: lionheart on January 02, 2016, 12:59:05 PM
Are you taking a plane? I've found that ever since I started wearing a binder, I always set off the security scanner thing. It's never been a huge issue though, they just pat me down and let me go.

Yeah, I'd be flying but I'm hoping to have had surgery beforehand. Though if I don't getting stopped wouldn't bother me much.

In the USA the TSA has certain procedures for making sure that Trans people are treated properly.

I also had an issue with setting off the scanner. One time early in my transition they ran me through it twice and I got to see the screen. If they pressed the female button it detected a groin anomaly (packer) and when they ran it as male they detected a chest anomaly (binder/chest). They pulled me into a separate room and two ladies screened me, which was against policy, but I didn't make a big deal about it. Lately when I travel, they always hit the male button and just give me a quick pat down on my chest area. Takes like 5 seconds.

Do you have your ID documents updated?

Be aware that the overwhelming majority of the world's anti-trans violence occurs in Latin America, mostly in Brazil. Some countries are much friendlier than others, but as an example Brazil actually has the highest rate of transphobic murders in the entire world. It's a good idea to have some idea of local attitudes before you blunder into a potentially dangerous situation.

I'd recommend you thoroughly research your destination countries so that you can keep yourself safe. Many of these countries have very active LGBT organisations that are working hard to promote our rights and make things safer for us; they'd probably be able to give you some good advice about how to travel safely in their local area. Revealing your status (or having it revealed for you, e.g. through your documentation, or by being clocked, or when hooking up, or if you need medical attention) would probably not be a smart move in certain areas.

"In the USA the TSA has certain procedures for making sure that Trans people are treated properly." They have procedures in place but I have had many bad experiences as have others. I also know people who have been fine, it honestly depends on the TSA agent you are stuck with. For example once I had an agent discretely and quietly ask me which button he should press and if I had any prosthetics because I kept giving weird results in the scanner. I've also had agents rudely and quite loudly ask if I had anything in my pants. So it really depends. (Ironically neither of those happened while I was packing, idk what the issue was.) I personally set off the stupid scanners regardless of presentation so at this point I just opt out and get the pat down. It avoids lots of hassles imho and I tend to get the proper gender agent doing the pat down more often this way.

As for being pre-T and traveling, I generally found people were very wary of my age when I told them and once on a cruise they almost wouldn't let me back on the ship when they didn't believe I was the "Margaret" that the ticket was for. Had to show two IDs because they didn't believe me. But those problems arose because I passed well pre-T and would probably still arise were I fo travel since i haven't gotten my name changed yet.

I also second looking into the areas you're traveling to make sure you are safe and have a plan if an incident occurs.

Quote from: green27 on January 02, 2016, 09:31:01 PM
In the USA the TSA has certain procedures for making sure that Trans people are treated properly.

I also had an issue with setting off the scanner. One time early in my transition they ran me through it twice and I got to see the screen. If they pressed the female button it detected a groin anomaly (packer) and when they ran it as male they detected a chest anomaly (binder/chest). They pulled me into a separate room and two ladies screened me, which was against policy, but I didn't make a big deal about it. Lately when I travel, they always hit the male button and just give me a quick pat down on my chest area. Takes like 5 seconds.

Do you have your ID documents updated?

I don't have my docs updated yet, but i'm looking to have it done before I go.

Quote from: CursedFireDean on January 04, 2016, 10:51:24 AM
"In the USA the TSA has certain procedures for making sure that Trans people are treated properly." They have procedures in place but I have had many bad experiences as have others. I also know people who have been fine, it honestly depends on the TSA agent you are stuck with. For example once I had an agent discretely and quietly ask me which button he should press and if I had any prosthetics because I kept giving weird results in the scanner. I've also had agents rudely and quite loudly ask if I had anything in my pants. So it really depends. (Ironically neither of those happened while I was packing, idk what the issue was.) I personally set off the stupid scanners regardless of presentation so at this point I just opt out and get the pat down. It avoids lots of hassles imho and I tend to get the proper gender agent doing the pat down more often this way.

As for being pre-T and traveling, I generally found people were very wary of my age when I told them and once on a cruise they almost wouldn't let me back on the ship when they didn't believe I was the "Margaret" that the ticket was for. Had to show two IDs because they didn't believe me. But those problems arose because I passed well pre-T and would probably still arise were I fo travel since i haven't gotten my name changed yet.

I also second looking into the areas you're traveling to make sure you are safe and have a plan if an incident occurs.

In reply to both you and FTMDiaries, I actually live in Mexico so idk about TSA stuff. I'm def gonna be careful but I pass very well so I'm not too worried about getting clocked. That being said, if I don't get my papers change in time, I'll just wait to go until I do get them corrected.

I actually just last Sunday had a really horrible time getting through airport security- all I learned was make sure you bring a few different forms of documentation. I'm pre-everything but I was binding, packing etc. After waiting in a horribly crowded airport for about an hour or two I had to wait ANOTHER hour because the TSA agent had to call someone to do a secondary ID check. They didn't think I looked like the girl on the ID. I ended up having to show them 2 extra school ID's, go through the scanner, and get a pat down before they would let me through. Part of me thinks it was only so awful because they where so busy that day but still. I hope your experience is better than that.


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