Issue with background check

[Michelle James]

My SO and I are making some retirement plans that involve moving to another city. It is a quaint little resort town. We are/were about to finalize a purchase of a mobile home located on a nice lot in a small park. So far so good. We spoke with the park management via phone somewhat anonymously regarding rules and the process for becoming a lot renter and here is where it gets sticky. They require a background check on each occupant. I know, right? I am in pretty deep stealth mode, but have not yet had SRS, and may not due to some new health issues. There main reason for screening is to check for sex offenders (which I am not). My not very well thought out plan was to spend a weekend in male mode and do the application and then once approved move in as Michelle. But they could then ask for a background check on Michelle (who as far as the world knows is my twin sister) I could apply as Michelle with my license with an M. Can you say busted? I'm sure that if management was to know my status that the whole park would know. Then here come the villagers with pitch forks and torches. I could use any advice you may have as I am stalled with out a clue how to do this.

[Stephanie-L]

Michelle,
The biggest question is, are you going to transition, with or without SRS? If you are, then you might as well tell them as they will eventually find out. As for the background check, so what. You are not a sex offender, so a background check will show nothing of interest. If it does cause a problem due to your transition, do you want to live there anyway? I don't know the laws in that state, but in many, they cannot deny you a rental due to gender status. Good luck to you and keep us informed, I and others will be interested in where this goes..............Stephanie

[Stephenie S]

I would say that you have to make up your mind if you are a crossdresser or a transgendered woman. It's hard to be both. Your "deep stealth" comment sounds like you have transitioned, but the "M" on your ID says you haven't. Which is it?

I don't know if the park management has a legal right to know your status, but if you want to move in, they have the upper hand. I am a landlady, and I can tell you I would be upset if I rented to a woman who turned out to be a man.

If you are a crossdresser, who cares? Nobody. If you are a transgendered woman, get your IDs in order before you conduct any legal business.

Stephie

On a side note, I once failed a background check. I was very surprised as the offense was felonious assault, but the agency who did the check had my name and address in a previous city exactly right. Fortunately the police report specified the race of the offender and I was able to clear my name with my DL photo. I thought this was a fantastic coincidence, but years later, someone suggested identity theft which makes a bit more sense.

S

[Jorja]

I agree, get your ID in order first before conducting business. Besides, all of this may have saved your life. Living in a mobile home is not the smartest move when it comes to tornado's and powerful storms.

[Michelle James]

I would say that you have to make up your mind if you are a crossdresser or a transgendered woman. It's hard to be both. Your "deep stealth" comment sounds like you have transitioned, but the "M" on your ID says you haven't. Which is it?S

As I have been living full time as a woman for nearly 2 years now I consider myself to be a transgendered woman. Unfortunately the current laws in Michigan require SRS in order to change gender on a driver license. As I mentioned in my post due to some medical issues SRS may not be possible. Fairly recent policy changes at our DMV now require proof of SRS where in the past they would accept a letter from your physician with somewhat ambiguous language. It sounds like you are trying to imply that I am less of a transgendered woman because I don't have an F for a gender marker, But if I lived in Ohio for instance and my therapist signed off that my gender was stabilized as female I could get my F and therefore be a full blown transgender Woman.

Disclaimer: If the laws in Ohio are different than the article I read or if I oversimplified I deeply apologize to any Ohio girls I might have wronged.

[Stephanie47]

I think the answer your looking for depends on the state you are moving to. I don't think you specified you're moving from Michigan to ????. Laws in Washington State are very favorable for all sexual minorities. Maybe not so much is other states? You're right to make an inquiry. I had known a few renters and managers of mobile home parks and there can be limitations on the length of time visitors may stay with the person leasing the lot and/or mobile home.

[Stephenie S]

I'm not trying to imply anything.

How can you live as a woman with legal IDs that state you are a man? Here's an idea. Get a passport. That's a legal ID anywhere in the world. The US Government does not require surgery to change the gender on your passport. Then take the passport as an ID to the DMV and get a proper DL.

If you continue the act of trying to live as a woman with a male ID you will be facing a multitude of problems. What about Social Security? What about Medicare? What about health insurance? What about your new DL when you move? What about the ER after you have an automobile accident? (You remember that woman in DC who was left to die when the ambulance guys found she was really a guy) What about renting a trailer in Florida? LOL. I am not implying anything, dear. Only stating that you haven't thought all this through very well.

Stephie

[Lorileah]

Michelle are you a subversive? Do you have a criminal record? Have you defaulted on a loan? That is the background check. What you wear, how you present, if you are transitioning, those are all not pertinent to you getting the lot space (in fact if they get any HUD funds, it would be illegal for them to use that information when deciding on you getting the space). Technically anything that is associated with the Federal Govt will protect you under the sexual discrimination rules (Transgender gets under that umbrella). So other than that night 28 years ago when you were swimming naked in your neighbor's pool at 3 AM...I would not worry about it

[AudreyTN]

My SO and I are making some retirement plans that involve moving to another city. It is a quaint little resort town. We are/were about to finalize a purchase of a mobile home located on a nice lot in a small park. So far so good. We spoke with the park management via phone somewhat anonymously regarding rules and the process for becoming a lot renter and here is where it gets sticky. They require a background check on each occupant. I know, right? I am in pretty deep stealth mode, but have not yet had SRS, and may not due to some new health issues. There main reason for screening is to check for sex offenders (which I am not). My not very well thought out plan was to spend a weekend in male mode and do the application and then once approved move in as Michelle. But they could then ask for a background check on Michelle (who as far as the world knows is my twin sister) I could apply as Michelle with my license with an M. Can you say busted? I'm sure that if management was to know my status that the whole park would know. Then here come the villagers with pitch forks and torches. I could use any advice you may have as I am stalled with out a clue how to do this.

doesn't matter either way. it's against the law to discriminate based on gender, sex, sexual preference, ethnicity, or race or religion. be who you are and do what you feel is best.

[Michelle James]

So other than that night 28 years ago when you were swimming naked in your neighbor's pool at 3 AM...I would not worry about it

I didn't think anyone knew about that.

[Jorja]

Michelle are you a subversive? Do you have a criminal record? Have you defaulted on a loan? That is the background check. What you wear, how you present, if you are transitioning, those are all not pertinent to you getting the lot space (in fact if they get any HUD funds, it would be illegal for them to use that information when deciding on you getting the space). Technically anything that is associated with the Federal Govt will protect you under the sexual discrimination rules (Transgender gets under that umbrella). So other than that night 28 years ago when you were swimming naked in your neighbor's pool at 3 AM...I would not worry about it


I didn't think anyone knew about that.

You all were there too? Thanks for coming and bailing me out later on. :)

[Traci Elizabeth]

I agree that living as a woman and having "MALE" on your driver's License will get you nowhere but negative situations. The suggestion that you go the US Passport Book & Card way then go to your DMV makes a lot of sense to me.

I don't think you are going to get sympathy here. You have made your own bed. I sure hope you did not pay any non-refundable fees to the mobile home park.

And listen to Jorja, even with tie-down metal bands, you will not be saved from a tornado.

Oh yea, if you thought your electric bills were high in a single-dwelling home, just wait until you get your mobile home electric bill. Talk about shock! How do I know all of this? For one year while getting my undergraduate degree I lived in a trailer. The entire trail park albeit small was occupied by married students which I was.

[RADER]

Most of the checks are as you said, a pervert, or how many bankrupts you have Had. Even my Insurance
Company wants a credit check, and I have been with them for over 25 years.
Rader

[Michelle James]

I agree that living as a woman and having "MALE" on your driver's License will get you nowhere but negative situations. The suggestion that you go the US Passport Book & Card way then go to your DMV makes a lot of sense to me.

Here in Michigan where I will also be after I move the gender marker can not be changed without proof of SRS and a corrected birth certificate. That being said I wasn't looking for sympathy, just wishful thinking that someone might have a suggestion other than changing the gender marker on my license as at least here in Michigan for me that is not possible unless there is new legislation..

[Stephenie S]

But you asked about the background check, didn't you? Not about a DL.

So, a background check will never say, "He's a crossdresser, or she's a transgendered woman." It will only come up with legal and financial stuff. Addresses and bankruptcies, arrests, that sort of stuff. But what it will do is refer to you as "he" and "Mr Frank Homebody". Whatever is linked to your Social Security number is what the investigating people will report on.

If you are serious about living as a woman you really should do something about your ID. It is possible. I suggested a way to start. You may be stuck about the BC, but you could at least change your name on many other documents. Or not, I guess. There's no law against a guy wearing women's clothes.

S

[noeleena]

Hi,

The paper trail ,

Whats on your birth cert when you were born is it male or female . you can change your name to anything just you need to check your birth certs out or as said I D.

Your inland revenue No. will remain the same & banks need that birth cert . Id be doing my paper work first, then no comeback later on,

...noeleena...

[Diane Elizabeth]

Just to change the DL twist around a bit- If I got a licence in another state with a changed gender marker, If I went back to MI what gender would they require on a DL if I applied for one there?

[Michelle James]

Just to change the DL twist around a bit- If I got a licence in another state with a changed gender marker, If I went back to MI what gender would they require on a DL if I applied for one there?

Due to the current administration in our DMV they are checking everything very close. You must present a social security card (which they will then verify), a birth certificate or passport, some form of ID such as a valid out of state DL. All three must match name and gender. In MI you can not change the gender on your birth Cert. Without proof of SRS. The current Secretary of State (according to employees of the DMV that I have spoken to) is very much anti LGBT rights and is changing policies to make it even harder.

[Hephaestus]

This may not be helpful, but my first thought is.... why aren't you moving somewhere where there would be no problem?

[Michelle James]

This may not be helpful, but my first thought is.... why aren't you moving somewhere where there would be no problem?

Actually that may best best choice. This has prompted me to rethink things a bit. Now I just need to find somewhere. Any suggestions?

[dallasmann]

I'm not trying to imply anything.

How can you live as a woman with legal IDs that state you are a man? Here's an idea. Get a passport. That's a legal ID anywhere in the world. The US Government does not require surgery to change the gender on your passport. Then take the passport as an ID to the DMV and get a proper DL.

If you continue the act of trying to live as a woman with a male ID you will be facing a multitude of problems. What about Social Security? What about Medicare? What about health insurance? What about your new DL when you move? What about the ER after you have an automobile accident? (You remember that woman in DC who was left to die when the ambulance guys found she was really a guy) What about renting a trailer in Florida? LOL. I am not implying anything, dear. Only stating that you haven't thought all this through very well.

You are not incorrect, but there are a multitude of considerations, no matter how simple, that most people aren't aware of, even if they've been living as a non-birth gender for years, and there information is always changing. What was permitted last year - because there was no prohibition against it - might be against the law next year, because some right-wing group was outraged over something they saw on a TV show.

I'd go directly to the question of why driver's licenses require a gender designation at all.

[Cheryl T]

I would ask a lawyer for advice and see if it's even legal for them to require a background check on EACH occupant. I could understand it on the purchaser of the lot/home, but not on everyone who lives there. Seems like an invasion of privacy to me.
If it were a credit check...that's another story.

[Stephenie S]

"I'd go directly to the question of why driver's licenses require a gender designation at all."

I suspect that the M and F designation on IDs is just a holdover from the days that such things did not have pictures on them. I can remember that as can many others here, I am sure. Now that we can have picture IDs, the old fashioned M and F are just that, old fashioned and unneeded.

S

[linda allen]

Have you considered going to the management office of the park and asking them directly how to proceed? It's going to come out eventually that you are in some sort of transition and if you lie or try to fool them up front, they can most likely throw you out when they find out if that's their wish.

Walk into the office as Michelle and talk with them.

[Stephenie S]

Gee, Linda. That's a refreshingly sensible bit of advice.

S

[STACY B]

Just give um ya real name an let um check all they want ,,, You are not a criminal an thats all they care about ,,You are a person with GID ,,, So if they ask just exsplain it an Move onnnnnnnnnnnn

[DebbieL]

Generally, if people are doing a background check, it's a good idea to list ALL your aliases. For example Rexford is my real name, but I also give aliases, including Rex, and Debbie, as well as Debbie with two different surnames. I also had an alias of "The Fairy Godmother", "The Wonderbitch", and "Fluffy the Wonderpooch". The problem is that if you even do something like create an e-mail account with your femme name, using your male credit card, the background checker considers this a red flag, that you might be hiding something.

As I said, I got the "Fairy Godmother" alias from the DYFSS in Denver Colorado. I had coached labors for 4 different women, none of whom were my wife. They thought I was a pimp, so they sent in an undercover cop who found out that I really was just helping several unwed mothers through very difficult times, and I also happened to be "one of the girls". One of the girls was "earning a little on the side" - but I didn't know about it, nor did I acknowledge it. In fact, I helped her do what she needed to do to get her GED so she could get an honest job as a retail manager.

[linda allen]

Gee, Linda. That's a refreshingly sensible bit of advice.

S

Yea, I hit one every once in a while. :heehee:

Seriously, sometimes we get so involved in a problem we forget to look at the simple things.