Do not travel advisory texas trans

Do Not Travel (FL, TX): Two states have earned “Do Not Travel” advisories: Florida and Texas. Florida has a law that allows for the arrest of transgender people for using bathrooms according to their gender identity and another policy targets transgender people’s drivers licenses. Texas now holds a “Do Not Travel” advisory, only the second state after Florida to reach this level of risk.

This follows recent actions in Odessa, where a punitive $10, penalty was introduced for trans individuals using public restrooms that align with their gender identity. For transgender adults, the primary legislative concerns include adult gender affirming care bans, bathroom bans, prohibitions on drag specifically aimed at trans people and pride events. This joint travel advisory highlights the solidarity of communities surrounding Texas, as well as fellow border states, against punitive and counter-productive policies that harm our immigrant communities and do nothing to welcome people seeking safety and refuge at our southern border.

Trans people who still may need to travel to, transit through or immigrate to the United States should exercise a very high degree of caution. A regional advisory also applies to the states of Florida and Texas: avoid all travel. The right to travel freely is a fundamental human right, yet travelers across the country continue to express concerns about the intrusive security screening procedures used by the Transportation Security Administration TSA.

Most of the time, however, transgender people are able to proceed through security without incident. This guide answers common questions trans people may have about airport security procedures and outlines steps individuals can take to prevent and respond to problems at the airport. All luggage—checked and carry-on—must be screened and may be hand-searched by TSA personnel.

In deciding whether to check or carry on baggage, keep in mind that carry-on luggage is subject to additional restrictions for example, regarding liquids and gels , and may be searched in your presence.

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Packing valuable items like cameras, cash, or laptop computers in your checked luggage is not recommended. Medical equipment and prosthetics will be allowed through the checkpoint after completing the screening process, but some travelers may feel more comfortable putting these things in checked baggage.

Gel-filled prosthetic items such as breast forms are not included in the three-ounce liquid limit for carry-ons, as they are considered medically necessary, but their presence in your carry-on luggage may result in extra screening. If possible, consider packing items containing liquid, gel, or powder in your checked luggage. Any medications and supplies, such as syringes should be placed in a separate bag in your carry-on luggage.

All travelers may ask any TSA official for private screening if their bags need to be opened. You have the right to wear what you wish. Certain types of clothing, shoes, binding materials, prostheses or jewelry may cause you to receive additional screening. Remove outerwear before you get to the security checkpoint. Airport metal detectors are extremely sensitive and may be set off by piercing jewelry, underwire or metal boning in clothing, and many shoes.

Travelers with questions about medical equipment, prostheses, or other assistive devices or about medical privacy can call the TSA Cares hotline in advance of their trip at to speak with a trained representative. All passengers 18 years of age or older are required to provide proof of identity at check-in and at the security checkpoint.

Booking your Flight: TSA rules require that you provide your name, gender, and date of birth when making an airline reservation. The Secure Flight program checks the reservation information against government watch lists. To avoid hassles, the name and date of birth included in your reservation should match the government-issued photo ID you will provide at the airport. If your tickets are being booked by someone else, you should make sure that the person booking your tickets uses the information on the government-issued ID you plan to use at the airport.

It does not matter whether your current gender presentation matches the gender marker on your ID or your presentation in your ID photo, and TSA officers should not comment on this. Foreign objects such as prosthetics, binding garments, or even paper or change left in a pocket will commonly register as anomalies requiring further screening. Often this consists of a limited pat-down of the area s where an anomaly was detected, however it can potentially involve a complete pat-down.

You may opt out of AIT scans at any time, but if you do opt out of AIT screening, you will be required to undergo a thorough pat-down. At checkpoints using body scanners, a pat-down is the only alternative to being scanned. A pat-down may also be required if an anomaly is identified by the machine, if your clothing is very loose, or on a random basis.

TSA pat-downs can be very invasive. Children 12 and under should receive a modified, less-intrusive pat-down under the observation and direction of their parents if necessary. If you choose a pat-down to avoid the AIT machines or if the TSA agents require one for another reason, the pat-down must be performed by an officer of the same gender as the traveler.

This is based on your gender presentation. So, for instance, transgender women should be searched by female officers, and transgender men should be searched by male officers.