The Transportation Security Administration is set to use new body scanner software that would require screeners to choose a person’s perceived gender and then scan their bodies for “anomalies.” This could pose a problem for trans people who live as female while still retaining male body parts and vice versa.
The National Center for Transgender Equality reports:
The new software may identify “anomalies” based on gender-atypical anatomy, rather than only targeting foreign objects. This may be a security trigger which would lead to an invasive pat-down, potentially embarrassing questions and in some cases, biased harassment…
The software changes also don’t address the concerns of other groups. It may help or hinder travel for people who carry medically necessary devices or for people of certain faith traditions. For example, questions remain about how the new software detects medical devices like urine pouches, or religious wear like the kirpan, an ornamental weapon, required to be worn by orthodox Sikhs.
The TSA has already bungled its handling of trans-employees, gay travelers and homoerotic passenger pat downs, but how can trans-advocates help modify the software so that they and other groups don’t get unfairly targeted for their special bodies?
B
QUEERTY: “but how can trans-advocates help modify the software so that they and other groups don’t get unfairly targeted for their special bodies?”
By providing people who can help with the testing, and some specifications as to what anatomical features to expect, particularly for someone transitioning.
Sweetbrandigirl2004
The new software may identify “anomalies” based on gender-atypical anatomy, rather than only targeting foreign objects.
You mean “Anomalies” like a dick on someone pretending to be a women is that the type of anomalies you mean….loI I feel thats just one of the burden that those who “Choose” to not have surgery must accept and learn to deal with. Likewise I don’t agree that they should be able to change ANY documentations without a diagnosis of GID and a recommendation from a therapist stating they Are “Transsexuals which is different from being transgender . I do not believe in or agree with “do it yourself transitions” .
Tony
I live in hope that someday America will realize we’re going overboard with the stuff the TSA is allowed to do. The balance is way off.
Jaime Renee
@Sweetbrandigirl2004: So you are fine with subjecting pre-operative transsexuals to humiliation, public outings, etc. as well? What did you do when you were pre-op? Hide away in your house out of shame?
R.A,
Just as rights for gay men and lesbians stalled until we came out of the closet, how is it possible to win rights for the transgendered when the objective is NOT to live openly and honestly?
Changing your gender does not change your sex. The issues that generate controversy like marriage, women’s sports competitions, health, and identification in regard to police work are actually more about sex and than about gender.
greenmusic23f
@R.A,: I believe you mean changing your sex does not change your gender. Sex refers to the body parts, gender to whether you identify as male or female.
http://www.who.int/gender/whatisgender/en/
Why
@greenmusic23f: Looked in a dictionary lately? The two words are synonymous. Gender is defined as sex. “Sex” goes on to add that it can be the sum of the structural, functional, and behavioral characteristics of living beings that subserve reproduction by two interacting parents and that distinguish males and females.
xander
@Why : You’re right on what many dictionaries say: most general dictionaries are more descriptive (how words are used) than prescriptive (how words ought to be employed).
For purposes of medical treatment, research, and documentation, the differences between ‘sex’ and ‘gender’ are important in fields such as endocrinology, psychiatry, etc.
I’m not sure if or how such distinctions apply to nomenclature under US law.
greenmusic23f
@Why: Most people go through their whole life not knowing that sex and gender are not the same, especially if their sex and gender happen to line up. I assumed that as a child, until I later discovered that my gender lines up about 3/4 with my sex, and 1/4 with the opposite sex.
As for dictionaries, their usage tends to change slowly. Their definitions of sex and gender may be holdovers from a “simpler” time — simpler only in that we were not aware that sex and gender didn’t always match.