Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transgender talk => Topic started by: Katelyn on June 19, 2018, 02:12:02 PM

Title: Thinking about traveling overseas to China
Post by: Katelyn on June 19, 2018, 02:12:02 PM
I'm a half Chinese amab, been taking hormones for a year but not out, my breasts though have grown to at least a B and to the point that a compression shirt may not be able to hide it completely (my breasts have grown forward a lot, looking more like a C from the side.)  My Dad (who I'm not out with) is offering to take me to Shanghai in a week but I've been skeptical of going because of potential harassment at the TSA and Shanghai's airport, in addition to the perils of being in a country who is considerably worse in lgbt acceptance (especially if I get sick.). 

Anyone here got experience, either going through TSA screening as trans and/or gender ambiguous, and/or going through airport security screening and customs in China, I'd appreciate your responses.  Thanks.
Title: Re: Thinking about traveling overseas to China
Post by: annaleaver on June 19, 2018, 03:01:38 PM
Tell your Dad.
Title: Re: Thinking about traveling overseas to China
Post by: Katelyn on June 19, 2018, 03:19:13 PM
Quote from: anastasialea on June 19, 2018, 03:01:38 PM
Tell your Dad.

That a pretty tough thing to do, although I'm slowly preparing for it.  Chinese are very patriarchal, they see their sons more valuable than their daughters, and I was the firstborn in my Dad's family.  I've done a lot to portray myself as masculine to him over many years, and I'd be basically saying to him that it was all a lie.  Add to that that I am basically the liaison for my mom and sister to get financial support from him, and It's just really hard putting so much up at risk.
Title: Re: Thinking about traveling overseas to China
Post by: Doreen on June 19, 2018, 03:25:35 PM
Quote from: Katelyn on June 19, 2018, 02:12:02 PM
I'm a half Chinese amab, been taking hormones for a year but not out, my breasts though have grown to at least a B and to the point that a compression shirt may not be able to hide it completely (my breasts have grown forward a lot, looking more like a C from the side.)  My Dad (who I'm not out with) is offering to take me to Shanghai in a week but I've been skeptical of going because of potential harassment at the TSA and Shanghai's airport, in addition to the perils of being in a country who is considerably worse in lgbt acceptance (especially if I get sick.). 

Anyone here got experience, either going through TSA screening as trans and/or gender ambiguous, and/or going through airport security screening and customs in China, I'd appreciate your responses.  Thanks.

Gynecomastia is a thing too, you wouldn't be only person with it either.  Xrays are bad at soft tissue scans anyways.  If you're still presenting as male, and still have male equipment, ... I wouldn't see an issue.  Just tell them you've been gaining weight?  That's not exactly lying.
Title: Re: Thinking about traveling overseas to China
Post by: barbie on June 19, 2018, 04:46:52 PM
Quote from: Katelyn on June 19, 2018, 02:12:02 PM
Anyone here got experience, either going through TSA screening as trans and/or gender ambiguous, and/or going through airport security screening and customs in China, I'd appreciate your responses.  Thanks.

I have been in China just 3 times during the past 3 years (Qingdao and Shanghai area). I have never faced any problem in Pudong or other airports. I once lectured in a university there while wearing skirt.

Some photos there. I was wearing a mask because I got cold and also the air quality was very bad at that time.

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1790/42858600742_53c46eba9c.jpg)  (https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1810/29034716238_8a9146cc0e.jpg)

I also hiked there with my Chinese friends and a guy from the U.S., taking a lot of photos, but I can not post them because of the privacy issue. Just one.

(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1764/42858747362_07ced1ddb0.jpg)

barbie~~
Title: Re: Thinking about traveling overseas to China
Post by: Dena on June 19, 2018, 05:32:35 PM
There is a risk that you will be outed by the scanning equipment so unless your prepared to explain what happened to your father in the airport, it would be best to come clean now or  avoid the trip. I have only been through the new scanners once but it earned me a pat down. My shoulders were to broad and it complained about my tummy. Also it's set so sensitive that it will pick up kleenex or cash in your pocket so don't plan on sneaking anything past the machines.