It's Not Gay If It's TSA: REAL ID & the Security Theater Sequel (5/23/25)

The REAL ID Act was passed by the U.S. Congress in May of 2005, as part of the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global war on Terror, and Tsunami Relief (H.R. 1268). Due to costs, logistical issues, legal questions, its full implementation was delayed until 2008, 2011, 2013, and then in 2014 set to be gradually introduced instead. But delays continued into 2020, 2021, and finally until May 7, 2025, when it went into full force - kind of. The REAL ID is a new form of compliant license for entering federal facilities, nuclear plants, and for domestic air travel. Even after 20 years of preparations, implementation is causing widespread confusion across U.S. airports. Up to 7% of domestic flight customers still do not have the new ID and this, mixed with general confusion about requirements, regulations, enforcement, etc., are causing delays and heightening suspicion of every citizen, especially because of the growing frustration and additional screening procedures put in place. However, those without the REAL ID can still fly. How? Well, they will be subject to additional security and the TSA will have to manually check their regular driver’s licenses like they always have. These people may also be subject to additional questioning and documentation checkpoints. In late April, 2025, TSA at Lehigh Valley International Airport just introduced new credential authentication technology to improve checkpoint screening procedures, yet another layer of security. USA.GOV confirms “Yes. If you do not upgrade your license or state ID, you can use a passport or one of these other acceptable forms of identification to fly.” The list provided includes everything from passports to tribal IDs and enhanced driver’s licenses or enhanced identification cards, themselves basically state-run programs akin to the federal REAL ID. What it does not say is that you still may be able to fly without any of those additional ID cards. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said that the exemption is not just a temporary measure while the bugs are worked out or a matter of presenting a passport: “If it’s not compliant, they may be diverted to a different line, have an extra step, but people will be allowed to fly.” Without a REAL ID you can still travel, but you will likely be subject to the same, or increased, harassment, demeaning comments, or downright assault, by TSA agents trained to see noncompliants as terrorists. Anyone having ever opted out of the full body scanner knows this to be true. And by definition, this is coercion: “the practice of persuading someone to do something by using force or threats.” The same tactics were used from 2020-2023 for health related reasons.A TSA press release has thus confirmed: "Passengers who present a state-issued identification that is not REAL ID compliant and who do...