Traveling with transgender youth
Take the fear out of flying with these tips
Travel can be fun and exciting, especially if it's a trek to see family, explore a beautiful destination or hang out on a beach. But getting there, especially by plane, can be stressful, too. Airport security and scanners can create anxiety, especially for families with a gender diverse child.
Families with a gender diverse child may have concerns related to airport security and privacy while traveling. Going through airport security and being selected for additional screening, taken aside and patted down, is anxiety-provoking. Imagine being a kid who doesn't want a stranger to know they're transgender and being concerned about that. In addition, these procedures can feel physically violating and intimidating.
When planning a trip that involves flying, there are things parents can do to ease stress and help their child and family feel more secure. See tips to help gender diverse travelers navigate potential speed bumps in a trip.
Know what to expect
Start by including research in your trip planning. Understanding security regulations and your child's rights as a traveler is important. You can view the following credible information resources for gender diverse travelers:
The National Center for Transgender Equality
– Answers common questions about airport security and covers travelers' rights.The Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
– Provides information about making flight reservations, packing, identification and security for transgender travelers.The TSA Cares Helpline – A toll-free number
855-787-2227 for access to a customer service representative who can answer questions and set you up with a passenger support specialist to help you navigate security at the airport.The U.S. Department of State
– Information for LGBTQ+ travelers about traveling abroad.
Understand security screening processes
U.S. airports use metal detectors and advanced imaging technology (AIT) for security screening. For an AIT screening, a security officer uses a male or female button on the machine based on how a person presents. The scan shows any areas of the body the software identifies as an anomaly. Objects such as prosthetics or binding garments, for instance, would register as an anomaly and require further screening through a pat down.
Anyone can request a pat down instead of an AIT or metal detector screening. “You can also request a private pat down with the parent present. It can be helpful to remember, screeners are doing their jobs, you’re just politely asking them to do it in a different way.
Request and take a medical letter
Traveling with a letter from your child's physician can provide just-in-case support. A letter can defuse issues before they develop into something more involved and anxiety-producing. A letter can provide documentation for situations such as the medical necessity of medication that requires syringes, or to explain what appears as a discrepancy between a child's gender expression and the gender marker on identification.
You may never use the letter, but many families like having it as a backup just in case. It's recommended you begin the process of obtaining the letter a couple of weeks before traveling.
Navigating the airport can be unsettling for anyone, but everyone deserves to be treated with respect. TSA recommends requesting to speak to a supervisor at a checkpoint if you feel you’ve been treated inappropriately or unprofessionally.
