beyond the being trans elsewhere in the world thing, I'm also nervous about CBP fucking with anyone who's been politically active. my name is on enough stuff because org stuff that it's conceivable that they'd harass me for being a not-white trans leftist. like I got second-hand reports of someone being held for a while and their footprint was muuuch smaller because they weren't really politically active. so I would consider if you have similar risks before traveling. the law doesn't really apply and re-entering puts you entirely in their mercy. that said, I'm going to have to risk it for work whenever they decide it's safe so...
I haven't been overseas since transitioning so I don't have advice on that part. I will say that security is much easier to manage when I wear makeup and I pass, at least to the TSA. I'm small enough that a secure tuck doesn't flag as odd on their scanners but obviously YMMV.
one thing going for you in traveling abroad is that the less familiar people are with trans people, the easier it is to pass. so one option, if it's viable for you, is to focus on passing 100%. the other option is trying to pass as a cis dude, but you might get read as gay, and that can be dangerous in its own way. this part also worries me and it's just a question of which way can you pass more easily, it's totally possible the answer is neither, and even if you do have a solid option, the risk is always there.
sorry if this comes off super negative, would rather state the risks though, just in case you're not aware.
beyond the being trans elsewhere in the world thing, I'm also nervous about CBP fucking with anyone who's been politically active. my name is on enough stuff because org stuff that it's conceivable that they'd harass me for being a not-white trans leftist. like I got second-hand reports of someone being held for a while and their footprint was muuuch smaller because they weren't really politically active. so I would consider if you have similar risks before traveling. the law doesn't really apply and re-entering puts you entirely in their mercy. that said, I'm going to have to risk it for work whenever they decide it's safe so...
I haven't been overseas since transitioning so I don't have advice on that part. I will say that security is much easier to manage when I wear makeup and I pass, at least to the TSA. I'm small enough that a secure tuck doesn't flag as odd on their scanners but obviously YMMV.
one thing going for you in traveling abroad is that the less familiar people are with trans people, the easier it is to pass. so one option, if it's viable for you, is to focus on passing 100%. the other option is trying to pass as a cis dude, but you might get read as gay, and that can be dangerous in its own way. this part also worries me and it's just a question of which way can you pass more easily, it's totally possible the answer is neither, and even if you do have a solid option, the risk is always there.
sorry if this comes off super negative, would rather state the risks though, just in case you're not aware.
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