A fairly significant number of transgender men and women are employed in positions where their dependability and ability to insure public safety is assured. This article touches on the basic issues or persons concerned about their clearances.

Question: Does having a transgender identity mean I will lose my security or medical clearance?

Possibly, but not necessarily. Much depends on how you present your transgender identity to your employer as well as to security and medical personnel. The first question you need to ask, is how apparent is your having a transgender identity to others?

If you crossdress in the privacy of your home where nobody will ever know, there wouldn't be any reason to disclose this during a clearance process, particularly if you never intend to tell another living soul about it.

If you plan on coming out to a spouse or are considering transitioning, the subject would require a little more thought and possible planning. It may be plausible to come out to a spouse if you crossdress, and not disclose the subject within a security clearance. However, the inherent risk of this is, if you should ever divorce an ex-spouse might contact your employer (or former mutual friends might) and tell on you out of spite.

Most crossdressers who never intend to crossdress outside their home may feel comfortable with this risk. But, the damage control may be difficult if you are ever outed. One pre-emptive strategy some crossdressers use is to provide a minimizing response if (and only if) they are asked 'lifestyle questions' during a clearance. Such as, 'a couple times I crossdressed for Halloween and New Year's, but otherwise rest assured I'm quite happy with my gender and sexual orientation.' On further or later inquiry, that is a fairly honest and easy-to-remember response.

Question: Can I be blackmailed by a third party and/or be declassified for not revealing my transgender identity?

The preceding scenarios are possible if you are not adept at managing your affairs or someone decides to use your situation against you. At the point you decide to take your crossdressing to social clubs or you are having transition-related questions these subjects become more concerning. Beyond dynamics of trustworthiness and public safety, at times agencies have legitimate concerns about their employees being blackmailed or manipulated. If you are deeply closeted you generally are more prone to blackmail, though you could simply disclose your crossdressing or gender issues in a managed fashion should they become called into question.

One recommendation I have for individuals who have deeply closeted crossdressing needs but fear discovery, is the person can schedule a confidential evaluation with a gender specialist experienced with clearance issues. This allows for two things. First, in having an evaluation, you make a professional ally who would be available should matters become complex later. More, discussing your situation with a professional will allow you to learn what safeguards would be applicable to you. Bear in mind that having a confidential evaluation does not mean you need to make changes or come out to others.

Where having a gender specialist at your side would be required, is when you no longer can refrain from coming out and particularly if you need medical recommendations, such as for hormone administration. Under these circumstances your maintaining a relationship with a gender specialist may mean the difference between your managing the disclosure and clearance process, or others making decision about your situation without experienced input. It is at this juncture where most people lose security and medical clearances - I strongly recommend against going it alone when representing these issues.

Likely the most important questions employers and security or medical clearance personnel will ponder, is how stable is the individual who lives in role part-time? What about one who is transitioning? Also, are taking hormones detrimental? Finally, what of other mental health symptoms?.

Following a gender specialized evaluation, I generally provide clients a written report which addresses the preceding concerns. I have found that it is generally effective for an individual to turn a report into the appropriate party as soon as possible once the gender issue arises or the person makes the decision to do a preliminary disclosure to his or her immediate supervisor.

The primary benefit of the early turn, is that a well written evaluation report will address a host of substantive issues. What eventually occurs is no additional questions arise or only a few lingering questions will remain. Those that do are usually easily addressed.

Question: Will a separate psychological evaluation or medical examination be required?

Possibly, much depends on the clearance level and requirements. For instance, pilots are required by federal law to have regularly scheduled examinations. Other employers may require agency-provided psychological exams any time a significant change occurs for the employee.

I recommend a gender specialized report be provided to the examiner at the beginning of the process. At times examiners have little or no knowledge of gender issues beyond anecdotal information or assumptions. And, considering that not every professional can be counted upon to research an area outside their expertise, its best to hand these individuals a report written in a format the provider can easily digest and reference.

One concern related to an evaluation is the role of mental health symptoms, and their presentation within a report. Occasionally employees will ask that these not be specified because of fear these will lead to termination or non-approval of a clearance. If a report is to be professionally balanced and accurate these should not be omitted. Rather, if a person has a new stable gender identity the actual mental health symptoms should be attributed to the actual root, which is frequently outside social and family pressures, not internal conflict. And, the report should clearly outline what steps the individual (as well as careprovider) have put in place to deal with both concerns and symptoms.

The reality is transgender individuals, like other persons, are prone to moderate mental health symptoms. These are common place. Any up-to-date reports should also reflect what is common knowledge among gender specialists. Having a transgender identity in and of itself is not mentally disordered, diseased or pathological.

Lastly, should an individual have ongoing mental health issues either related or unrelated to having a transgender identity, beyond exploring how these are being addressed, the gender specialist and counselor should discuss whether these introduce protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Having a transgender identity won't, but having other mental health symptoms may if they constitute a disability which can be accommodated at the workplace within reason.