I haven’t updated any of my documents yet, and I saw that the disgusting bill that’s pending in Indiana would make it impossible for trans people to change their gender marker. Although there has been an executive order stopping the department of health from processing court-ordered name changes there for the past year. I don’t think Indiana is ever going to do something that would help a trans person…
What are my options? Am I stuck with incorrect or mismatched documents forever?
The Nazis were eventually ousted from Germany. The same thing will be true of the States. Hang tight and have an escape plan if things get too sketchy. Documentation isn’t something I’d be prioritising now tbh.
Yeah, I’ve had that thought too - probably better to keep a low profile right now.
On the other hand, although I don’t pass now, if I do eventually, I don’t want to out myself to every cop and TSA agent, you know?
I have some French Canadian ancestry, so I’m working on applying for my Canadian citizenship by descent. (Maybe another reason not to mess with my documents rn?)
Blessedly, I’m no longer in Indiana, and Michigan has much better civil rights protections for trans folks
That’s good. You might also consider trying to get a work/study visa to somewhere in Europe. Portugal and Malta are apparently the best countries for legal protection and social acceptance.
Would Europe allow a study visa for someone who already has a degree from the US? Unless I go for a PhD, it would be my second go around in university
you might look for a work visa in that case, particularly if you are a skilled worker in an industry that is in high demand by the target country (it depends on the individual country as to the opportunities); you will need a passport in that case, and at least updating your name on your passport would be wise if you plan to leave the country (even though you currently cannot change your gender marker).
I’m pretty sure you just need to get accepted. But also PhDs pay a relatively decent wage in the Nordic countries. So a PhD is a viable option, especially if you are published. That gets you 4 years. Also I believe in Sweden and Finland, you get a sword with your PhD.
A SWORD??
https://www.discoverphds.com/blog/finlands-phd-sword-and-hat-tradition
Apparently the sword is only in Finland, not Sweden.
Name changes take a while to make happen, it took a better part of a year for me to get my name updated on all my documents, so if you start to pass and have outdated documents that could be a risk. I recommend updating documents ASAP.
Yeah escape plan is the hard part for many since without proof of citizenship you can’t fly anymore and it’s a large country. I live close enough to Canada and have a car that I could drive in a few hours, just getting across the border will be difficult without a valid passport, which also requires a birth certificate.
How are you at kayaking? There are plenty of shorter crossings between the states and Canada on the great lakes. From what I can see. I would in no way cross at an official border crossing. If you arrive in a country by boat I think you’re supposed to report to the local police office, but I’m sure noone would meet you on the beach to enforce that.
I’m on the other side of the country, so kayaking may or may not be possible for someone without experience through the straight. Maybe around Victoria/San Juan Islands? Anyway, it’s something I’ve thought about, but land crossings in rural areas may be easier. Otherwise, there’s the mountains, but I’m not good in the extreme cold, lol.
You can use the time until summer to train. Kayaking is easy and a lot faster than rowing swimming or running. It is 100% what I’d do if I had to cross the border with sketchy documents. Actually the only country I could get to by kayak is Russia so I definitely wouldn’t do that 😂