Tips for staying safe as a trans traveler abroad

As trans acceptance grows, new pathways of lived reality for thousands of people around the country open up. Air travel, however, is still a fraught subject when it comes to the safe passage of trans travelers. Between invasive airport screenings, travel documents that aren’t gender-affirming or reflect the correct identity of the traveler and the potential for harassment and a lack of legal protections abroad, trans people need to make a number considerations when traveling.

Understand airport screenings

Many trans people encounter their first hurdle before even making it to their departure gate. With current magnetic imaging technology, body parts, prosthetics and binding garments are often seen as an anomaly and subject trans people to enhanced levels of scrutiny, potentially outing them during travel, which can threaten their safety. All travelers are within their rights to bypass screening and opt for a pat-down instead, however, the gender of the TSA agent assigned to perform the search is usually determined by the traveler’s identifying documents. What trans travelers should know, however, is that no prosthetic can be removed from their body during a screening. For peace of mind, travelers can pay a $100 fee and go through TSA pre-check instead, where metal detectors are used instead of body scans.

Research your destination

Doing one’s research to see if a city or country is trans-friendly in legal status is only the first step. Searching for groups and locations that are intentionally curated for the trans community can help travelers better prepare for their trip. This ensures that they’ll be welcomed into an inclusive, safe and friendly space upon their arrival. Online support communities can be found on Facebook, Twitter and Discord, which can greatly enhance a trans traveler’s experience abroad.

Pick a hotel over a rental

When traveling alone, trans people are safer staying in hotels than in private rental accommodations. A hotel comes with security cameras, desk agents who might notice a guest’s comings and goings and a set of doors that preclude anyone from following travelers home. They are generally considered a much safer choice for trans travelers abroad.

Study gender norms of the region

In addition to knowing how accepting a given destination is of the LGBTQ+ community in general, it is also important to look into the gender norms of the destination. This helps travelers prepare for the smoothest experience possible. In some places, things as subtle as turn-taking in conversation or the expectations of a houseguest are gendered in ways that can be flummoxing and create potentially awkward and uncomfortable situations for guests.

Learn key phrases

When visiting a destination where the general populace speaks another language, trans folx would be well-served if they learned some key phrases to help them navigate society. Terms like “gender neutral restroom” or “single occupancy toilet” might not be in a generic guidebook, but will certainly come in handy in times of need.

Take medical precautions

If you are traveling with hormones, be sure to understand the safety guidelines for packing syringes and store them separately from your other toiletries for easy inspection. One can ask stewardesses to store vials in the refrigerator once aboard the plane, but a cold-packed thermos presents another reasonable option.

This story was originally published August 31, 2022 at 8:00 AM with the headline "Tips for staying safe as a trans traveler abroad."