The TSA has introduced a new gender option in applications for its passenger screening program. Travelers applying for the Expedited Security Verification Program can now select “Other Gender” in addition to the options “man” and “woman”. Thus, applicants are allowed to self-certify their gender, regardless of the gender assigned to them at birth.
“TSA is committed to ensuring that all travelers are treated with respect and dignity,” — TSA administrator David Pekoske said in a statement. “TSA's new pre-registration feature reaffirms our commitment to equality and inclusion for all people, regardless of gender.”
According to the agency, applicants can self-certify their gender, but the name on the application must be official, from your passport.
New gender option in — this is the last “revision” TSA. Earlier this year, the agency moved to more gender-neutral passenger screening standards, including a reduction in screening and the introduction of advanced imaging technologies (AITs), which the agency says are more accurate and will replace the current gender-based AIT system.
In addition to the TSA, the State Department has begun allowing travelers to select “X” in the Gender field in U.S. passport applications with plans to expand this capability to other forms of documentation in the future.
Some airlines have already made their on-board greetings more gender-inclusive, such as Lufthansa, which uses gender-neutral language, and Japan Airlines, which has shifted to terms like “all passengers” like “Hello everyone”.
TSA's pre-screening program allows travelers to use a dedicated security line and does not require them to take off their shoes, lay out liquids or laptops for screening, which greatly speeds up the process. This program is one of the Department of Homeland Security's trusted traveler programs and it costs $85 to enroll.