Teenager Harassed at Airport Because of Short Hair

Policing of bodies has already gone too far, but it only seems to be getting worse.

Caitlyn Disley, a teenager from the U.K. was forced to expose herself by airport officials in Egypt while on vacation. She was traveling with her father, brothers, girlfriend Liv, and her girlfriend’s family when the incident occurred.

While going through customs, airport security continuously checked her passport, then looked at her as if they were skeptical. Her hair is shorter now than it was in her passport photo, which is the reasoning they gave. When the family got through customs, airport officials demanded that she lift up her shirt and sports bra to prove she was a girl. Caitlyn’s father, Tom Disley, states, “At first I think the men themselves wanted to look at her intimately, but Liv’s mum put her foot down, and they found a female nurse. I’ve no idea if she had anything to do with the airport.” After showing her chest, they demanded to “look down there,” which Liv’s mother firmly denied. Instead, they had her pull her shorts tight to prove she didn’t have male genitalia.

Caitlyn says the situation was “traumatizing and embarrassing. I’ve never been put through anything like that before.” Rightfully so, as it is hard to imagine what one would do in such a situation. Her father states that while she was able to put it behind her for the duration of the trip, the worry plagued her on their way home. Caitlyn is a self-professed “tomboy” with shorter hair than in her passport photo, not someone trying to fool the Egyptian government.

According to the advocacy organization Human Dignity Trust, Egypt has laws against same-gender sexual activity, as well as laws against “indecency,” “scandalous acts,” and “debauchery” in regards to same-gender couples. Egypt also has had consistent reports of harassment and discrimination of LGBTQ+ people.

Though they are not seeking legal retribution, the Disley family wanted the story to be public to warn other tourists of the possible danger. Tom Disley states, “It could be a 10- or 11-year-old next. We are not looking to prosecute anyone. It’s just we’re against anyone else, especially children, having to face humiliation like that.”