The ultimate guide to getting the most out of traveling with joy and safety while trans

Read more at GayCities.

Since Trump took office last year, traveling as a trans person has felt terrifying.  

I used to travel by plane frequently. As a consultant, I was in a new state at least quarterly for client visits and onsite training. But last year, things changed for me, as they did for many others.

When I changed my name (over 10 years ago), I did not change my gender marker. The name on my ID is “Rex” while my gender marker shows “F”. The reasoning on my name change petition marks “the petitioner seeks to conform their name to their gender identity.”

I’ve heard stories from friends and community members whose passports were reissued with their name or gender marker unconsensually reverted to their assigned sex at birth. 

In Kansas, transgender individuals received letters from the state informing them that their driver’s licenses were no longer valid due to the passing of SB 244. 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 year, I traveled out of state for work only one time. I took the one hour flight from Los Angeles to Las Vegas for a conference. As I went through security, I wondered, “When they check my ID, will they look at my gender marker this time?” “Will it flag an additional security check?” “What will happen if they find out that I’m trans?”

Last year, 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 of traveling while TGX+.

As I consider travel this year and beyond, I’ve developed some personal travel guidelines to help keep me safe. Organizations can adopt these to support the safety of their TGX+ employees, too.

Here are some considerations for TGX+ individuals while traveling…

1. 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.).

2. 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 I am not willing to do it without support from a trusted source. Take time to consider which travel options are the safest and most suitable for your needs.

3. Make a safety plan.

Ensure you create a safety plan that includes considerations for where you are traveling, a point person who knows all your travel details, and an emergency contact who is available if necessary (this can be a person or a reputable organization such as Lambda Legal). For planning support, check out the Travel While Trans database.

4. 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.

While I’ve heard plenty of stories from other trans, nonbinary, and gender expansive folks who have traveled nationally and internationally without issues over the past year, I feel the need to be prepared to support my safety in the worst-case scenario.

We shouldn’t have to make these considerations, but they are important steps to take for the safety and well-being of TGX folks. Trans people deserve to exist without fear. The more equipped we are, and the more support we have to navigate the current climate, the more we can create a future that centers our joy, which is what traveling should truly be about.