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Four Ways the TSA Is Making Flying Easier for Transgender People

People waiting in line at an airport.
A series of changes from the TSA should make security screenings easier for transgender people traveling in airports and reduce invasive pat-downs.
People waiting in line at an airport.
Arli Christian,
Senior Policy Counsel,
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April 5, 2022

Going through airport security is never fun, but it can be particularly difficult for transgender people. In addition to universal annoyances (did you remember to take off your shoes?) transgender people may not have identification documents that match who they are. Many airlines require ticket holders to select 鈥渕ale鈥 or 鈥渇emale鈥 when purchasing a ticket, something that may conflict with identity documents from that allow an 鈥榅鈥 gender marker on things like driver's licenses. Finally, the 鈥渁dvanced imaging technology鈥 body scanners 鈥 the ones that require you to hold your arms above your head 鈥 require TSA agents to select either a 鈥渕ale鈥 or 鈥渇emale鈥 scan, something that for transgender travelers.

Fortunately, to mark 2022鈥檚 Transgender Day of Visibility, the Department of Homeland Security has to make traveling while trans a little bit easier. These announcements are part of to 鈥渁dvance equality and visibility for transgender Americans.鈥 Here are four key things to know about the TSA announcements:

1. Full-body scans will no longer be based on gender.

The TSA will be replacing current 鈥淎dvanced Imaging Technology鈥 scanners 鈥 which require the operator to select a 鈥渕ale鈥 or 鈥渇emale鈥 scanning setting 鈥 with technology that will not be based on gender. Here鈥檚 how transgender model, actor, and public speaker Rosalynne Montoya the current scanners:

鈥淚 definitely am not super comfortable going through TSA because I pretty much always set off the scanners as having some sort of 鈥榓nomaly.鈥 I don鈥檛 feel safe. I don鈥檛 expect TSA agents to have my best interests at heart. I鈥檝e been sexually assaulted, groped, grabbed, forced to remove my clothing [at TSA checkpoints]. I remember those times every time I go through TSA.鈥

The TSA stated that the new scanning technology will 鈥渁dvance civil rights and improve the customer experience of travelers who previously have been required to undergo additional screening due to alarms in sensitive areas,鈥 with a rollout coming later this year.

2. TSA is working with airlines to promote 鈥淴鈥 gender markers.

Many airlines require passengers to select 鈥渕ale鈥 or 鈥渇emale鈥 when purchasing tickets. The TSA is working with airlines to expand the use of 鈥淴鈥 gender markers, and to allow passengers to self-select the 鈥淴鈥 gender marker when purchasing tickets.

Including an 鈥淴鈥 gender marker on identity documents and records provides an accurate option for people who are non-binary, intersex, or another gender. Every person should be able to select a marker, whether M, F, or X, that feels safest and most appropriate for them to move through the world.

3. TSA is streamlining identity validation.

It can be a nightmare to get through airport security with an ID that doesn鈥檛 match your gender presentation. At best, having an ID that doesn鈥檛 match your presentation can . At worst, it can result in harassment and missed flights. TSA is updating its policies and guidelines to 鈥渞emove gender considerations鈥 when verifying ID at an airport, which should reduce delays and make things easier for trans travelers.

4. TSA PreCheck and U.S. passports will add an 鈥淴鈥 gender marker.

TSA PreCheck, a voluntary program that people can enroll in to reduce time spent at airport security checkpoints, does not currently offer an 鈥淴鈥 gender marker. TSA is changing this, and will add an 鈥淴鈥 gender marker to its Trusted Traveler and TSA PreCheck programs. 鈥淴鈥 gender markers will also be available on U.S. passports beginning on April 11, 2022.

While TSA鈥檚 new scanning technology is supposed to be less likely to flag transgender flyers as potential security threats, TSA PreCheck allows participants to go through a simple metal detector, rather than the full-body scanners. As Rev. Yunus Coldman, an interfaith minister and a New York-based transgender man, , 鈥淭SA PreCheck has saved so many trans people from bulls***. You don't have to go through body scanners. You don't have to take your shoes or belt off.鈥


These changes should make life easier for transgender travelers, but the devil is in the details. Only time will tell if these changes live up to TSA鈥檚 promises. In the meantime, TSA has updated , with information about the changes listed above and how to contact TSA if you have any questions.

If you experience mistreatment by the TSA, you can You can also let .

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