Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I can't believe I forgot to post this earlier.

I just moved to Northern Virginia from Minneapolis, MN. My best friend has a job with Homeland Security in DC and told me that because of me he attempted to get on the team that was developing the training for working with transgender passengers. When I went through screeningI was very happy with how I was treated. I immediately texted my friend this message:

Just got through screening. You can let the people developing training for screening transgender people know that I was treated very well at DCA. I was quietly and respectfully asked if I identified as male or female by the woman at the scanner. I told her female. Then I realized she was referring to the body scanner, so I said "For the purposes of the body scanner, you'll want to mark me as male." After I got through, the guy behind her said "You can step this way s[ir], ma'am."  :)

It was a validating experience. I honestly didn't expect it because I had my hair tied back and I wasn't wearing feminine clothing. Must have been the nails. Haha! My friend hasn't had a chance to tell the training team, but he said he emailed the security director at Reagan International airport and that the security director sent out a memo to all of the screeners letting them know how I felt about my experience.

But the guy called you Sir. That would have really pissed me off.

Quote from: Julia1996 on October 07, 2017, 03:22:26 PM
But the guy called you Sir. That would have really pissed me off.

Caught it himself, though.  That counts points for effort.

Quote from: Julia1996 on October 07, 2017, 03:22:26 PM
But the guy called you Sir. That would have really pissed me off.

He caught himself mid word. Honestly I think he wasn't looking closely at first and just responded to me based on my height (6'3) more than anything.

Awesome for you, and awesome of you to give them feedback.  :)

Hugs, Devlyn

I can second the experience at DCA and also IAD (I live right in the middle between those two). So far absolutely no issues including customs & immigration. And all my ID's are still male...
A few nice chats about nail polish on top :-)

We must be almost neighbors Daisy btw...

Quote from: Daisy Jane on October 07, 2017, 02:49:18 PM
I can't believe I forgot to post this earlier.

I just moved to Northern Virginia from Minneapolis, MN. My best friend has a job with Homeland Security in DC and told me that because of me he attempted to get on the team that was developing the training for working with transgender passengers. When I went through screeningI was very happy with how I was treated. I immediately texted my friend this message:

Just got through screening. You can let the people developing training for screening transgender people know that I was treated very well at DCA. I was quietly and respectfully asked if I identified as male or female by the woman at the scanner. I told her female. Then I realized she was referring to the body scanner, so I said "For the purposes of the body scanner, you'll want to mark me as male." After I got through, the guy behind her said "You can step this way s[ir], ma'am."  :)

It was a validating experience. I honestly didn't expect it because I had my hair tied back and I wasn't wearing feminine clothing. Must have been the nails. Haha! My friend hasn't had a chance to tell the training team, but he said he emailed the security director at Reagan International airport and that the security director sent out a memo to all of the screeners letting them know how I felt about my experience.

Yes. My experience at Dulles Airport last year was as nice as yours.

Quote from: barbie on June 28, 2016, 04:42:56 PM
Just returned from a 10-day trip to Washington DC area of the US.

While returning home, the security was really tight in Dulles airport. The security girl touched the areas all around my breast area, not to mention asking me to take off shoes. Fortunately, she called me as ma'am, despite the apparent M mark in my passport. Another security guy seemed to be overwhelmed with my unusual height with 4 inch wedge heels, but he was anyway kind.

Grrr... TSA at IAD today: the guy with the X-Ray kept calling me Sir. Didn't he just x-ray my suitcase full of heels? Not see my sparkly red nails? The cute hoop earrings?

Next time I'll travel in a skirt 🤣🤣 (a very short one too)

Quote from: sarah1972 on October 10, 2017, 11:34:35 AM
Next time I'll travel in a skirt 🤣🤣 (a very short one too)

That's a dangerous dare.  "Nice skirt, sir."   ::)

I think they are getting better and better. I travel a lot and i have continually better experiences. The most recent was in San Francisco where i must have set off the scanner and they did a pat down search. They did not hesitate to send the female officer to do it and she was quick and professional. I was addressed as ma'am the entire time.

I will add that i was not super feminine in my attire, t-shirt, jeans, hair in a pony, no makeup, but i did have painted nails and sandals on.