The Uncertainty of Traveling While Trans
Since the inauguration, traveling has felt terrifying to me.
And I know I’m not alone.
When I changed my name (almost 10 years ago), I did not change my gender marker.
The name on my ID is “Rex” while my gender marker shows “F”.
My name change petition has a box marked “the petitioner seeks to conform their name with their gender identity.”
As I’ve heard stories from friends and community members whose passports were reissued with their name or gender marker unconsentually reverted to their assigned sex at birth, I fear the State Department could do the same to me.
TSA has also removed its “Guidance for Transgender, Non-binary, and Gender Non-conforming Passengers” page.
These actions don’t just invalidate and dehumanize transgender, nonbinary, and gender-expansive (TGX+) people — they also increase the risk of harassment and violence by forcibly outing us.
Last week, Lambda Legal held a Know Your Rights: Passports webinar, in response to over 1,000 requests from TGX+ folks seeking information on passports and travel.
This webinar helped demystify some of the fears circling in the TGX+ community (such as clarifying that current non-expired passports with an “X” gender marker remain valid until replaced or expired).
It also encouraged deeper consideration about traveling while TGX+.
As I consider travel this year, I’ve developed some travel guidelines to help keep me safe. Organizations can also adopt these to support the safety of their TGX+ employees.
Considerations for TGX+ Travel:
Always Travel Together: There is safety in numbers. Travel with a trusted friend or colleague and use the buddy system at crucial checkpoints (security, restrooms, etc.).
Consider All Options: What is the best mode of transportation for you? Car? Train? Plane? For me, traveling by plane feels the most precarious and something I am not willing to do without support from a trusted airport official. Take time to consider which travel options are the safest and most suitable to your needs.
Make a Safety Plan: Ensure you create a safety plan that includes considerations for where you are traveling, a point person who knows all of your travel details, and an emergency contact who is available if it becomes necessary (this can be a person, or a reputable organization such as Lambda Legal). For planning support, check out the Travel While Trans database.
Always Bring Documents: When traveling, carry your identification (e.g. passport) and court ordered official documents stating any name and gender marker changes. Before traveling, make copies of all documents and forms of identification. Keep one copy at home, and give another to a trusted confidant in case your documents get lost or confiscated. Contact Lambda Legal if any issues arise during travel.
We shouldn’t have to make these considerations, but they are necessary for the safety and wellbeing of TGX+ folks. Trans people deserve to exist without fear. The more equipped we are (and more support we have) to navigate the current climate, the more we can create the world we all deserve to live in.
If you're an organizational leader looking for actionable ways to support your TGX+ employees in today's climate, join our monthly TGX+ Inclusion Roundtable. Bring your questions, challenges, and real-world scenarios for us to explore together. Register here.
