Transit Passes in Philly Remain a Problem for Some Trans Riders

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.