A New York woman is concerned that transgender people are being “profiled” by TSA agents at airports. She discusses what she experienced herself at an airport recently. In her video, she explains why this information is important but alarming to her.
Kaylee (@kayleekat_143) shared a TikTok video captioned, “There is a growing concern over ICE agents profiling transgender people at TSA screening checkpoints.” She shares with her audience that she was at LaGuardia Airport in New York this week and left confused after a TSA screening process. A trans woman herself, Kaylee says, “If you are transgender, you need to know about this.”
Kaylee explains that she passed through the screening machine at the airport and was immediately pulled aside by a TSA agent. Typically, she said that a presenting cisgender woman would automatically be assigned to a female agent by default. The same happens for cisgender males. However, she experienced something different when she was scanned. This time, the agent asked her, “Do you prefer a male or female agent to pat you down?” Kaylee says that this took her by surprise because it means she was easily identified as being transgender.
Kaylee said the whole situation felt wrong but she was able to walk away after being patted down. When she turned around, she said she noticed a trans woman passing through TSA. She watched the screen as the woman walked through. She said the AI technology on the screen identified two areas as “problems” as the woman walked through. There was a place identified on the woman’s side and a big, red circle “around her crotch,” according to Kaylee. This showed Kaylee that the TSA agent selects what a person presents as while they walk through. If the AI identifies a “bulge in a place that isn’t expected,” this means they’re identified as transgender.
Kaylee said that this entire scenario concerns her. However, she said she doesn’t expect that TSA agents will “abuse” that type of information. Though, Kaylee has concerns that ICE agents stationed at airports might use this information for something sinister. She highlights the fact that, in recent news, “ICE agents have been instructed by the State Department to profile transgender people.” To her, there’s no telling what could happen when this technology and information is left in the wrong hands. Kaylee warns trans people to be incredibly careful and to bring a friend or relative with them when they travel, if possible.
Commenters typically agreed with Kaylee in saying that they don’t agree with the mistreatment of trans people in airports or any setting. One commenter claimed, “This is victimization on a basic level, the US is messed up right now. Trans people are people and should be treated as the gender they present, not a gender perception.” Another commenter shared that they, too, experienced this at an airport. They shared, “This has happened to me at literally every airport I’ve been at since I began transitioning. Maybe it’s because I live in Texas but I figured it was happening to all of us.”
This video shows the importance of staying safe as a transgender person in America during uncertain times. One commenter reflects on this by adding, “I’m so sorry to every single person that is affected by this administration.”
