Travel Considerations for Gender Non-Conforming Individuals

Discrepancies between a traveler's appearance, name, and gender marker on their ID and travel documents are likely to lead to delays, additional questioning, or denial of boarding and entry at immigration checkpoints. Having an updated ID that matches an affirmed name and gender can help minimize additional scrutiny, though not all individuals have the ability or need to make such changes. Travelers should ensure that their passports, visas, tickets, and, where applicable, accommodation bookings are consistent and reflect the information currently on their identification documents. This may minimize further scrutiny and additional questioning, reducing the likelihood of encountering discriminatory treatment or procedural obstacles. 

Travelers with X gender marker passports should determine whether their destination is likely to recognize their passports. Countries that provide non-binary gender marker options on ID documents are highly likely to recognize such IDs without the traveler experiencing additional scrutiny at security checkpoints. Most countries do not formally recognize non-binary markers and may require travelers with X gender passports to select M or F gender options on visas or travel documents. Individuals should contact their country’s diplomatic mission in the destination country for additional clarification.  

Additionally, travelers should be aware that some transportation booking systems may only offer binary gender markers due to technical or regulatory constraints, and this may also occur in countries that offer X gender marker options. Some booking systems may permit an individual to select X gender markers, but require an individual to select a gendered title, such as “Mr.,” “Mrs.,” or “Ms.” Several airlines recommend selecting the X gender marker only if the traveler’s legal documentation shares the same information. 

Security procedures at airports remain a frequent source of stress for transgender and gender non-conforming travelers. Security standards and procedures vary by country, and airport infrastructure within each country may differ based on factors such as the airport’s traffic volume or location. 

Some security bodies, including the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA), have used gender-specific body scanning algorithms that overlay a contour of a generic gender-based body on an image of the scanned to identify any anomalies. Such scanning may detect prosthetics as anomalies and may subject a traveler to further screening, where the traveler may feel pressured to disclose their biological sex. Individuals may opt out of a scan but will likely need to submit to a full-body pat-down. In most countries, individuals can request searches by officers of a specific gender or ask for private screening, but these accommodations are subject to availability and at the discretion of authorities.  

The availability, legality, and quality of gender-affirming care vary widely across countries. High- and extreme-threat countries are likely to explicitly ban gender-affirming care or have laws that restrict access to care, with very few exceptions. LGBTQ individuals may face discrimination, stigma, or refusal of treatment when seeking such care. Even in countries where gender-affirming care is legal, access to care may be limited or prohibitively expensive. The law may also require individuals to obtain referral letters, medical or psychiatric diagnoses, or court permission to access care.

Travelers should carry enough medication for the duration of their trip and should research the availability of their medication as well as the nearest clinic able to provide such medication, in the event of an emergency. Travelers carrying medication should keep it in their carry-on luggage in its original labeled containers and carry their original, written prescriptions and a note from the prescribing physician on letterhead stationery for controlled substances and injectable medications. Individuals should also contact their country’s diplomatic mission in their destination country to determine which medications may be prohibited. 

In many countries, the overall security threat for travelers differs from the specific threats posed to LGBTQ individuals, which can result in misconceptions about a country’s safety. Few countries outside of North America and Europe legally recognize non-binary individuals or provide discrimination protections that include sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex characteristics. Some countries have laws restricting LGBTQ expression or censoring related content, such as LGBTQ propaganda laws in Bulgaria, Georgia, Hungary, and Russia. Authorities may also use vague public morality laws to target individuals with non-traditional gender expression. In countries and jurisdictions under Sharia law, laws against "cross-dressing" or "impersonation of the opposite sex” may lead to arrests or corporal punishment. In the event of an incident in a country that poses a moderate to extreme threat to LGBTQ individuals, travelers from minimal and low-threat countries should contact their country’s diplomatic mission.  

LGBTQ specific security ratings are now available within Crisis24 Horizon. Learn more about the platform.