All Articles Meet two trans nomads traveling the world together

Meet two trans nomads traveling the world together

By David Hudson Jun 1, 2022 4 minutes read
A photo of two trans travelers, @Twotransnomads, posing in France smiling
Image: @twotransnomads

When Erick Jackaman and Sujay Abhilash first met three years ago they immediately bonded over their mutual love of travel. And since then they've spent their time exploring the globe together, visiting Singapore, Sydney, Marseille, Venice, London, and dozens more destinations. It's been a life-changing experience for the duo but traveling trans throws up challenges that cisgender tourists rarely have to worry about. We spoke to the couple about their adventures on the road, from their favorite discoveries to tips for trans travelers.

A photo of @twotransnomads standing in front of Har Par Villa
Photo: @twotransnomads

When Erick, a student in the Netherlands, headed to Sydney for a semester abroad he couldn't wait to discover a new place. Sydney had incredible culture, great food, and plenty of Queerness—but most of all, it's where he met Sujay, a Singapore native living in Australia. “We clicked instantly,” says Erick. Yes, they both happened to be Queer and trans, but their bond developed over their passion for seeing the world.

Soon they had decamped to Singapore together and began documenting their travels around the globe on @twotransnomads. When they started traveling, it became really important to them to be visible as a trans couple. So they began posting about their trips and connecting with other trans travelers like them.

What they've learned about traveling trans

While they've had far more positive experiences than negative, traveling trans isn't always easy. "We’ve been shoved, stalked, and name-called in various cities—some people just aren't comfortable being around a gay interracial couple," says Sujay. "And cis, straight people often tell us how gay-friendly their city is but it's sadly not always true for the Queer people living there."

On the flip side, the couple has had a lot of love on the road: people often tell them how happy they are to see them together and they often get big smiles, waves, and supportive comments on the street and on their instagram profile.

Their advice for other trans travelers

A photo of @Twotransnomads sitting and smiling in Parc Guell Barcelona
Photo: @twotransnomads

“Before visiting a place, I would recommend following Queer and trans people in that destination," says Erick. "They often post about Queer spaces and events that may be happening when you’re there.”

Also, make sure to research LGBTQ+ safety in the destination before you go. Some great resources include The National Center for Transgender Equality, Outright Action International, and Equaldex.

"We are especially careful when planning flight layovers," says Sujay. "I know that some places are more dangerous to me, for example, since I haven't been able to change my gender marker."

When it comes to updating gender on travel documents like your passport, things can get tricky depending on whether the place you were born acknowledges a third gender (see new legislation below). "Because of where I’m from, I’m unable to have my gender marker changed easily, so I travel with a passport that doesn’t reflect my gender accurately. What I’ve found useful is to have doctor’s letters and documentation on-hand just in case you get into a tricky situation," says Sujay.

Also, pat downs at security can get uncomfortable so try to avoid packing or wearing anything like metal zippers or belts that may sound off alarms.

All the places they love around the globe

A photo of @Twotransnomads smiling in Venice
Photo: @twotransnomads

So far, Sujay and Erick have notched up a dozen different countries together and they're just getting started.

Italy was a huge highlight and they can't wait to go back. “Venice felt like a movie set. I loved getting lost in the narrow, winding streets, having an afternoon Aperol by the canals, followed by a pasta dinner, especially the squid ink spaghetti from Enoteca Al Volto," says Sujay.

As for their Queer discoveries, they recommend: the Riot Drag show at the Projector cinema in Singapore; Open Barbers in London, a hair salon that serves trans and non-binary people; and the iconic bookstores, Gay’s The Word, in London, and Category is Books, in Glasgow.

How they celebrated Pride

A photo of @Twotransnomads in Sydney, Australia
Photo: @twotransnomads

Last year, Erick and Sujay celebrated Pride at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. “It was our first Mardi Gras together, which made it really special,” says Erick. And although it was scaled back because of Covid, they really enjoyed experiencing Pride in a different, more intimate way. “I feel a sense of belonging at Pride events, and especially the Sydney Mardi Gras festival. It really strives to be more inclusive, with spaces for Queer South Asian folk, too.”

Traveling trans now: What to know

Your passport gender

As of April 11th, US citizens can choose an X gender option (unspecified or another gender identity) on their passport application. But keep in mind that some countries won't recognize the X, so plan accordingly. Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Malta, New Zealand, Pakistan, India, Ireland, and Nepal are among a handful of countries that allow gender-neutral passports or travel documents. Make sure to carry contact details for a lawyer in the US while traveling, and think about enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which keeps you up to date on info for your planned destination.

Airport security lines

Homeland Security and TSA recently announced an upgrade of airport scanning equipment to help prevent false alarms that lead to invasive pat-downs of trans travelers.

General safety precautions

In some parts of the world, anti-trans discrimination remains rampant. It’s always advisable for LGBTQ+ travelers to check the situation in any country you plan to visit in advance, and to carry contact details for your local embassy or consulate just in case you need help.

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David Hudson
David Hudson is an award-winning journalist who has written extensively in the LGBTQIA+ media over the past three decades. His work has appeared in Attitude, Metro, Gay Star News, Queerty, and Gay Cities, among others. When not traveling, he loves exploring his home city of London, England, which he says always throws up new discoveries and delights.
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