Passenger Claims to Be a Victim of TSA Civil Rights Violation

This complaint was sent in by J.R. about an incident that allegedly took place at the Albany, NY airport on 10 October 2009:

First off. I arrived at the airport in Albany, New York. I went threw the security check point and was singled out because I am gay. Then when I asked nicely for the mans name and badge number he laughed and gave me nothing. I asked again for his name and badge number. He never gave it and ordered me to step threw the air sensor to check me for explosive residue. I asked to speak to his manager, boss, or who was in charge of him. Still nothing was given except his first name. As an employee of the federal system of TSA he is by LAW REQUIRED TO TELL ANY PERSON HIS NAME AND BADGE NUMBER WHEN ASKED BY ANYONE!!!! I was not given said information and I am really upset with the actions they took and the information they did not divulge the requested information.

AirSafe.com Responds
While no one at AirSafe.com has any legal expertise in this area and won't address whether TSA employees are required to provide their name and badge number. However, discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is clearly not tolerated by the TSA. According to the TSA web site, If you believe that you have been discriminated against by a Transportation Security Administration employee on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or sexual orientation, you may submit in writing an explanation of the complaint, including: the name of the airport, your flight information, the date and time of the incident, and if possible the name of the employee to:

Transportation Security Administration
Director, Office of Civil Rights
601 South 12th Street - West Tower, TSA-6
Arlington, Virginia 20598
Attn: External Programs Division

If you need additional information, you may contact the Office of Civil Rights toll-free at 1-877-EEO-4TSA (4872). If you leave your name, number and the best time to call you back, someone will return your call.

In addition, AirSafe.com recommends that you document as best as possible the circumstances of your incident. Visit the AirSafe.com complaint page for further suggestions.