Crossing the U.S./Canadian Border

Crossing the Border is very easy and should only take a few minutes depending on numbers of cars. Passports are now needed when crossing be land or air. There are also Nexus cards and enhanced driver's Licenses that can be used. Check the Homeland Security Link for details http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/crossingborders/

If you don't have a passport apply for one now and be ready to come to Spring Fling in May. Canada has some great tourist attractions. You may want to stay longer and make a holiday of it.

If you have an experience that you would like to post here please send them to amanda@galsspringfling.com.

 

Sophia, Stephanie and Amanda Going to a TNGA Meeting

Sophia, Stephanie and I went to a TNGA meeting in the Spring of 2008. We crossed the border at Hill Island/Alexandria Bay. We crossed the border in male mode but were somewhat nervous about all the femme gear we had in the trunk.

At the border the Guard asked us, "Where are you from?"

We told him three different cities so he asked, "How do you know each other?"

We said through social groups so he asked, "Which ones?"

We said Gender Mosaic and Xpressions so he asked, "What are those?"

We said, "They are Transgender Support Groups in Ottawa and Toronto. Transsexuals and Crossdressers. We are going to a Transgender Meeting in Schenectady, N.Y."

He said "Have fun." and away we went.

The key is to be honest. There is nothing illegal about taking wigs and breastforms across the border. They have also seen this many times before. Don't try to fool them. Just tell them you are going to a Transgender Conference. They are looking for Drug Smugglers and Terrorists, not Transgender people.

 

Sophia and Amanda coming home from Erie Sister's Gala

In November 2008 Sophia and I went to the Erie Sister's Gala where we had a great time. On the return trip Sophia suggested that we travel and cross the border enfemme. I agreed...nervously.

The drive through Pennsylvania and New York were uneventful. As we were driving up Interstate 81 we started to get a little giddy as we wondered what might happen to us and came up with all the worst case scenarios. Do you remember the song "Guantanamera (Won Ton Amera)" from the '60s or '70s? Well, imagine the two of us singing our own version. It went something like this: "Guantanamo Bay, We're going to Guantanamo Bay".

As we approached the border my nervousness turned to resolve. I knew I had nothing to be ashamed of and figured that at the very worst we would be taken aside to identify ourselves. I was prepared to remove my wig to help them do that. So we drove up to the Border Station.

I handed the Border Guard our passports and she asked, "Where are you from?"

I said, "Cloyne, Ontario and Gatineau, Quebec."

She asked, "Where are you coming from?" I said, "Erie, Pennsylvania from a Transgender Conference."

She asked, "Anything to claim?"

I said, "No."

She said, "Have a nice day."

Done. As we drove away from the Border Station Sophia yelled "Woo Hoo" definitely in ear shot of the Border Guard. But nothing came of that. Again the key was to be honest. I told the Border Guard right at the beginning that we were coming from a Transgender Conference.