By Transgender Universe

I SAY I’M “HER” AND I DON’T WANT (A) “DUDE” GROPING MY BOOBS. YES, THEY ARE “REAL” BOOBS AND BY THE WAY THE STATE OF MARYLAND SAYS I’M FEMALE.

No stranger to flying given her work with the military and fighting for equal rights, Beck arrived early for her flight leaving Reagan National Airport on Tuesday. According to a report by CNN, Beck was flagged for a secondary screening after entering the security checkpoints body scanner. Instead of patting her down as the normal procedure dictates, two Transportation Security Administration agents, a male and female, turned their backs on her and began to whisper.

Next the two agents began to misgender her, “they call me “him” and ask if TSA Dude can pat me down?” said Beck in a post on Facebook. “I say I’m “her” and I don’t want (a) “dude” groping my boobs. Yes, They are “real” boobs and by the way the state of Maryland says I’m female,” Beck responded to the agents.

The two agents proceeded to get a supervisor who directed a male agent to just pat “him” down. “Damn (I’m in tears, (my inside voice)),” said Beck on Facebook. Ten minutes later, a female agent under duress reluctantly patted her down. The irony of the story was that Beck was on her way to Kansas City to give a human rights speech to the Department of Justice Bureau of Prisons.

Beck put the problem in perspective in her comments:

I’m sad, for TSA, our country, our future… Why is this so difficult?

I’m a tomboy,

I’m an American,

I’m a veteran,

I’m combat wounded warrior,

I’m a real human with real feelings…

What Kristin Beck experienced is nothing new for members of the transgender community. Many transgender citizens who travel have a similar experiences to share. Many transgender travelers are often misgendered, detained and harassed when passing through security checkpoints. This begs us to ask the question, why is it so difficult for the TSA to get this right?

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