Alright, so I was going to post this as a reply on another thread, but then it got really long and I didn't want to bump a 5 year old thread with this info, so here ya go kids – some basic tips and tricks for traveling while newly out as trans, or newly traveling while out as trans, or both. Being a traveler is hard enough at times, and throwing being trans into the mix definitely doesn't make it easier. But, in my opinion, it's better to travel and be who you are and want to be than sit around stuck, whether it's a bad situation or just a stagnant situation, so here's an assortment of useful stuff for helping people keep their skin intact and out of trouble when traveling while trans.
First, this thing: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003BEDURW . (If the link doesn't work, look up GoGirl Female Urination Device.) It's a little silicone thing that's designed to allow people with vaginas to stand to pee and it's absolutely awesome. It's small, durable, easily folded up and stashed in a side pocket of a pack, and after you practice with it a couple of times it's super easy to use. If you're a transguy who's not out, I super recommend this and just be careful that people don't see you slip it into your fly when you head behind a bush to pee. Also, on the subject of devices for vagina having people, if you are still having periods I can't recommend having a Diva Cup highly enough. It's a lot more discreet to carry than any other method of dealing with all that blood, it's generally safer and more hygenic for travel situations anyway, and you won't have to deal with trying to constantly buy pads or tampons and having to explain why you need them to people who don't know that you're trans.
This info here: http://ftmguide.rassaku.net/
While this site has a lot of shit that's not super practical for travelers (who the fuck can or wants to travel with all those clothes? Not me!), it also has a really good breakdown of how to pass better and not get taken for a butch lesbian. The silhouette section is probably the most important for travelers - you can pull off the gender identity you want if you pay attention to the details here. To quote a small bit, "When you're meeting a stranger for the first time, their brain registers your overall presentation (which consists of body shape, clothes, voice) and subconsciously designates you as male or female. If you do nothing to disrupt that initial impression, it will never occur to them to doubt it. They won't be checking for suspicious bulges in your chest, or lack of bulge at your crotch, or inspecting your small hands -- why would they? They already know what you are. That's what passing is." So basically, if you can get them to believe your gender identity from the get go, you'll get hassled a lot less and believed a lot more.
Be aware of the climate you're in and be aware of your rights. In a lot of places, "walking while trans" can get you arrested for prostitution because profiling is a thing, kids! This is especially relevant for traveler kids and hitchhikers, because simply doing shit like asking for directions and accepting rides can get you slapped with charges. Here's a news article from last year about this happening - www.advocate.com/politics/transgender/2014/04/15/arizona-activist-found-guilty-walking-while-trans. She's an activist and a student, and this still happened - imagine trying to get off this charge when you're a traveler and already dealing with the problems travelers have when faced with law enforcement.
To move on from the point above, if you do get busted for prostitution, be prepared! A lot of places used to have laws on the books about how if you had three or more condoms on you, that was admissible evidence that you were planning on engaging in prostitution. A lot of places those laws have been struck down, but cops will still try to scare you with those tactics and I'm sure some places will still give you trouble over that. Personally, I buy condoms in 40-packs online because it's the same price as a 12 pack from a brick and mortar store and I don't see the reason to waste the money or possibly get caught without, but I also primarily travel from a home base or rubber tramp, so I have a place to keep the spares. The point is, make sure to be aware of the local atmosphere and laws, make sure you know your rights when it comes to being stopped, searched, and detained, and don't let them bully you into a confession, 'cause they'll try.
To continue with the law enforcement angle, be especially careful if you're traveling with your hormones and you have needles on you. Because needles are classified as drug paraphernalia, you gotta be careful about letting them be in sight and about making sure you have documentation that they're yours via a prescription. I also wouldn't advise carrying other drug paraphernalia or illegal drugs while you have your needles, because it's quite possible for LEOs to decide that the needles ought to be lumped in with the illegal stuff, thus potentially catching you more trouble/fines/jail time, even though you've got them legally. And remember – testosterone is a Schedule III controlled substance (http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/schedules/) and possession without a prescription can carry a fine of up to $500,00 and 10 years in prison, if you get really boned (http://www.dea.gov/druginfo/ftp3.shtml). So absolutely make sure you have your documentation correct if you're a transguy traveling, because otherwise you're open for some serious legal fuckery.
Moving right along, personal safety is paramount. People can be terrible and you have to learn to trust your gut about situations that can turn violent. If you're at all capable of using a weapon, I highly suggest you learn how to use whatever you're comfortable with and be willing to use it when necessary. That said, don't carry something that you can't or won't use, and don't carry something you're not confident can't be taken away and turned against you. Everybody is going to be different in this case and it's no shame if you're not a fighter, but if you can, do. Again, be prepared as far as local law, but do be prepared to take care of yourself if absolute worst comes to worst. I recommend a solid carry knife that you're comfortable with and have practiced with – pocket knives with blades under four inches are generally legal in most places (I think NYC and possibly some other major cities have stricter rules, double check if you're heading somewhere like that) and that four inches is all you need to get someone off of you and get the fuck out, if you've practiced and are prepared.
Finally, I'd advise to do a bit more research on the places you're going, if you can. Knowing which shelters are trans friendly and where the resources are can be incredibly useful when you're in a pinch. I'd post examples, but there's really no national database for this stuff so it would be way too long. Google is generally pretty awesome about giving you what you need to know on this and a quick “Austin transgender resources” or whatever can save you a hell of a hassle.
Anyone else have any tips? The more info we have here, the better, I think.
First, this thing: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003BEDURW . (If the link doesn't work, look up GoGirl Female Urination Device.) It's a little silicone thing that's designed to allow people with vaginas to stand to pee and it's absolutely awesome. It's small, durable, easily folded up and stashed in a side pocket of a pack, and after you practice with it a couple of times it's super easy to use. If you're a transguy who's not out, I super recommend this and just be careful that people don't see you slip it into your fly when you head behind a bush to pee. Also, on the subject of devices for vagina having people, if you are still having periods I can't recommend having a Diva Cup highly enough. It's a lot more discreet to carry than any other method of dealing with all that blood, it's generally safer and more hygenic for travel situations anyway, and you won't have to deal with trying to constantly buy pads or tampons and having to explain why you need them to people who don't know that you're trans.
This info here: http://ftmguide.rassaku.net/
While this site has a lot of shit that's not super practical for travelers (who the fuck can or wants to travel with all those clothes? Not me!), it also has a really good breakdown of how to pass better and not get taken for a butch lesbian. The silhouette section is probably the most important for travelers - you can pull off the gender identity you want if you pay attention to the details here. To quote a small bit, "When you're meeting a stranger for the first time, their brain registers your overall presentation (which consists of body shape, clothes, voice) and subconsciously designates you as male or female. If you do nothing to disrupt that initial impression, it will never occur to them to doubt it. They won't be checking for suspicious bulges in your chest, or lack of bulge at your crotch, or inspecting your small hands -- why would they? They already know what you are. That's what passing is." So basically, if you can get them to believe your gender identity from the get go, you'll get hassled a lot less and believed a lot more.
Be aware of the climate you're in and be aware of your rights. In a lot of places, "walking while trans" can get you arrested for prostitution because profiling is a thing, kids! This is especially relevant for traveler kids and hitchhikers, because simply doing shit like asking for directions and accepting rides can get you slapped with charges. Here's a news article from last year about this happening - www.advocate.com/politics/transgender/2014/04/15/arizona-activist-found-guilty-walking-while-trans. She's an activist and a student, and this still happened - imagine trying to get off this charge when you're a traveler and already dealing with the problems travelers have when faced with law enforcement.
To move on from the point above, if you do get busted for prostitution, be prepared! A lot of places used to have laws on the books about how if you had three or more condoms on you, that was admissible evidence that you were planning on engaging in prostitution. A lot of places those laws have been struck down, but cops will still try to scare you with those tactics and I'm sure some places will still give you trouble over that. Personally, I buy condoms in 40-packs online because it's the same price as a 12 pack from a brick and mortar store and I don't see the reason to waste the money or possibly get caught without, but I also primarily travel from a home base or rubber tramp, so I have a place to keep the spares. The point is, make sure to be aware of the local atmosphere and laws, make sure you know your rights when it comes to being stopped, searched, and detained, and don't let them bully you into a confession, 'cause they'll try.
To continue with the law enforcement angle, be especially careful if you're traveling with your hormones and you have needles on you. Because needles are classified as drug paraphernalia, you gotta be careful about letting them be in sight and about making sure you have documentation that they're yours via a prescription. I also wouldn't advise carrying other drug paraphernalia or illegal drugs while you have your needles, because it's quite possible for LEOs to decide that the needles ought to be lumped in with the illegal stuff, thus potentially catching you more trouble/fines/jail time, even though you've got them legally. And remember – testosterone is a Schedule III controlled substance (http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/schedules/) and possession without a prescription can carry a fine of up to $500,00 and 10 years in prison, if you get really boned (http://www.dea.gov/druginfo/ftp3.shtml). So absolutely make sure you have your documentation correct if you're a transguy traveling, because otherwise you're open for some serious legal fuckery.
Moving right along, personal safety is paramount. People can be terrible and you have to learn to trust your gut about situations that can turn violent. If you're at all capable of using a weapon, I highly suggest you learn how to use whatever you're comfortable with and be willing to use it when necessary. That said, don't carry something that you can't or won't use, and don't carry something you're not confident can't be taken away and turned against you. Everybody is going to be different in this case and it's no shame if you're not a fighter, but if you can, do. Again, be prepared as far as local law, but do be prepared to take care of yourself if absolute worst comes to worst. I recommend a solid carry knife that you're comfortable with and have practiced with – pocket knives with blades under four inches are generally legal in most places (I think NYC and possibly some other major cities have stricter rules, double check if you're heading somewhere like that) and that four inches is all you need to get someone off of you and get the fuck out, if you've practiced and are prepared.
Finally, I'd advise to do a bit more research on the places you're going, if you can. Knowing which shelters are trans friendly and where the resources are can be incredibly useful when you're in a pinch. I'd post examples, but there's really no national database for this stuff so it would be way too long. Google is generally pretty awesome about giving you what you need to know on this and a quick “Austin transgender resources” or whatever can save you a hell of a hassle.
Anyone else have any tips? The more info we have here, the better, I think.
