Originally appeared in Transgender Tapestry #096, Winter 2001.

As I write this, it?s September 12th. Workers in New York are searching for survivors amidst the rubble of what was until yesterday the twin towers of the World Trade Center. In Washington, at the Pentagon, fires are hampering rescue efforts. The nation is reeling as estimates of fatalities begin to come in. We know the final toll will certainly surpass the 3800 Americans who perished in the 1941 sneak attack on Pearl Harbor; how much so is unknown. Many of us haven?t been able to get in touch with friends and family members and don?t know if they are alive or dead.

To our readers who have lost loved ones, our deepest sympathies.

Please Take Precautions When Traveling

The mood of America has changed, and future months will doubtless see even more change. Americans are furious, considering that there is a state of war?but there is no clear target for the anger. This is already translating into lack of toleration of those who are different. One obvious target for the peoples? rage is individuals with olive skin. Perhaps a less obvious target will be transgendered and transsexual people. We urge our readers, and especially our readers from the Middle East, to take precautions to ensure their safety, especially in public spaces like airports, train and bus stations, malls, parks, and on the streets.

Increased security at airports will result in an insistence that photos on documents of identification match the individual?s appearance. Those who customarily fly cross-dressed without matching ID may find themselves grounded, and may be questioned by authorities. This is an issue primarily of security, but prejudice against transpeople may make matters worse.

Those who customarily fly crossdressed might consider whether it would be wiser not to do so in the next few months. For those who decide to fly crossdressed anyway, and for those who have transitioned gender roles, we suggest you make sure your photo identification matches your appearance. If it doesn?t, now would be a good time to get your ID updated. You should also consider carrying supporting documents such as letters from your support group, therapist, and physician explaining who you are and what you are doing.

If you should be removed from a flight, we suggest you not make a fuss at the scene. Save your complaints for later, when they will not put you in danger of being arrested.