What do you think about seeking refugee in Canada?
I am not one to panic, but I am absolutely terrified right now. The only reason to block trans people from leaving the country is to trap them here for more sinister plans.
Well, we aren’t seeing this across the board, others are getting their passports returned with the wrong marker, and what happened to the woman in LA is likely illegal and not happening to others. It looks like an isolated incident rather than a new policy or strategy, and we don’t know the reasons. If they were trying to trap trans people, you would think they would be confiscating all trans passports, and that doesn’t seem to be happening.
Not trying to dismiss legitimate fear here (we’re all legitimately afraid right now), but if you wanted to stem some panic I hope the above perspective helps.
Thank you! I’m going to apply for one once I find my birth certificate. I don’t care what gender marker it says so we’ll see how it goes.
This is why I have never discussed my gender identity with employers, government, officials, strangers, etc. Might be a fucked mindset but I’m starting to feel like my decisions were right
Most people who transition inevitably have to create a paper trail, with doctors, insurance companies, government agencies, local courts, etc. - this is so they can get access to hormones, surgeries, legal name changes, updated names and gender markers on important documents, etc.
If you aren’t transitioning and can avoid being “known” by the government, all the better - now is a good time to be careful, but people who transition probably can’t avoid that. Even if someone makes no legal changes and transitions entirely from DIY hormones that are kept off the record, the visible changes from transitioning will conflict with their gender marker and name, essentially outing them.
Yeah, for me I identify as non binary and don’t need medical care, I’m lucky
Our government should know nothing about our private lives.
Edward Snowden whistleblew about this so long ago now…
For those interested, if you’re organizing use E2E comms and if you’re researching use Tor Browser. Better yet use a Tails USB on a coffee shop wifi.
https://www.tomsguide.com/how-to/how-to-use-signal
https://www.torproject.org/download/
https://tails.net/doc/first_steps/index.en.html
And don’t communicate over email, even encrypted email.
For a place to start looking for aid and assistance.
List of resources for trans folk
https://trans-resources.info/en/resources/north-america/united-states
Anyone know does this fuck with my existing passport? I got it all changed almost two years ago but so far everything I’ve seen has been for people who are in the process of having stuff changed. I’m trying to gauge if I need to accelerate my leave the country plans or if I still have a few months
As of right now, you won’t be able to renew it when it expires. I’d begin making plans to bolt the moment anything more menacing pops up.
Yeah I’ve been pulling out cash and setting up a bug out bag with important paperwork. Making arrangements with roommate so I don’t leave them in an eviction-prone position. It’s all such a mess I just want to live my life I don’t even interact with people all that much I’m not a threat to anyone :/
It’s so fucked up that you have to think this way. Be safe.
Current events aren’t menacing enough??
My understanding is that existing passports remain valid but you will have problems renewing, updating or replacing a lost passport. Keep it very safe.
You might also run into issues if a zealous border agent clocks you while examining a passport. So limiting crossings to reduce your risk. They don’t legally have a right to stop you over this (as best I’m aware) but with the law being so in flux there’s no guarantee.
If you have the means to get out I’d get out while it’s still valid. I worry about them going further to try and retroactively invalidate which would be like putting everyone on a no fly list.
I still have a while before it should expire, like 8 or so years. I do keep it very safe like my life depends on it because it very well could. Fortunately I live in an area less likely to have transphobic border agents but yeah we’ll find out I guess… Unfortunately if I get out early I could completely fuck over my roommate like they may end up homeless. If it were just me I would be selling all my shit and bailing on the lease asap. We’re talking out plans if I do have to leave early though so hopefully it goes well for them. I’m also worried about a retroactive thing. That’s on my hard list of ‘if this happens I need to attempt to flee immediately like day of if possible’ to try and get out during the confusion before the rules go full swing
