Steve Ambrose
Transportation Security Administration agents at the Orlando International Airport stopped a transgendered passenger when a suspicious “anomaly” appeared on a body scan. The anomaly was her penis.
As expected, the TSA has again come under blistering criticism for their lack of competence when it comes to protecting the nation’s airports.
The passenger in question was Shadi Petosky, a transgendered woman, who was passing through the TSA full-body X-ray machine. It was at this time her anomaly raised TSA alarms. She was then pulled aside and held in airport security.
Petosky tweeted the entire ordeal and has since become a cause célèbre.
I am through. It was about 40 minutes, 2 full body pat downs, fully disassembled luggage. I missed my flight. pic.twitter.com/wLTvP3md9W
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015
There are now 2 police officers, 1 explosives specialist and four TSA agents. They’re taking my phone for screening
— Shadi Petosky (@shadipetosky) September 21, 2015
Since the incident, the TSA has taken to Twitter to assuage concerns about their competence and insensitivity.
.@JennyBoylan TSA takes all potential civil rights violations very seriously. We are looking into the situation now for further information.
— TSA (@TSA) September 21, 2015
TSA continues to work in partnership with representatives of the transgender community to discuss any concerns about the screening process.
— TSA (@TSA) September 22, 2015
After a thorough investigation, it was determined that neither Shadi, nor her anomaly, were a threat to national security and she was scheduled for another flight.
Future passengers can rest easy, however, because according to a released statement the proper protocol was followed.
“Our officers are trained to properly screen members of the transgender community,” the agency wrote. “After examining closed circuit TV video and other available information, TSA has determined that the evidence shows our officers followed TSA’s strict guidelines.”
