Transit Passes in Philly Remain a Problem for Some Trans Riders

Neal Broverman

Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.

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Neal Broverman

March 26 2012 3:15 PM EST

November 17 2015 5:28 AM EST

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A Philadelphia City Council member has introduced a resolution calling on the city's public transportation agency to stop requiring gender identification on transit passes.

Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown wants SEPTA to stop putting stickers on transit passes that identify the gender of riders. SEPTA uses the gender on riders' state IDs for their passes, which sometimes doesn't match the appearance of riders. Transgender advocates say the policy leads to androgynous people and those transitioning to be denied service and subjected to embarrassing questions.

SEPTA officials say they'll look at changing the gender policy when they implement a new fare card -- but that won't be for three years. The City Council will debate Reynolds Brown's resolution at a March 29 meeting where transgender riders are encouraged to attend and share their experiences. Read more here.