I recently returned from a trip to Walt Disney World and, other than an ugly incident I shall soon describe, it was an amazing experience. I participated in, and completed, the Wine & Dine Half Marathon, and have the medal to prove it. I spent time with a treasured friend of mine who lives in Orlando, and generally had a lot of fun, despite an increasing and sometimes overpowering emotional state of crying over the tiniest thing. I should note that most of my tears were happy ones!
The only bad thing that happened occurred during my final full day, while in the Magic Kingdom. While utilizing a restroom in Adventureland I suddenly heard a loud voice call out angrily, "If there is a man in here he needs to leave RIGHT NOW." As I don't feel myself to be man, I ignored the voice, but sadly I knew it could only be referring to me as I have only been in transition for several months and though I present female, my face is not especially feminine. As I exited the stall to wash my hands a woman wearing the white costume of a custodial department Cast Member (Disney's term for employee) strode towards me, blocking my way as I walked towards the sink area and began barking at me to leave. I started to explain that I am transgender but she wouldn't let me speak and again shouted at me to leave. I was in a panicked state by this point and fled the restroom.
I then found the nearest Cast Member and told him I needed to speak to a supervisor. I was so upset I was shaking and nearly sobbing. Soon another Cast Member showed up, identifying himself as the manager for Adventureland. I told him what had happened and he seemed impressively apologetic about it, telling me I had done nothing wrong and wanted to identify the Cast Member who had accosted me. He asked me to wait to talk to some other supervisors about it. After a short wait, two more people arrived. One identified himself as the Head of Park Security, the other as the Duty Manager of Magic Kingdom Park. They patiently listened to my story, and one of them even paused to ask what pronouns I would prefer to be used! They were both very understanding and I was very touched by their concern. One of them gave me a handful of FastPasses to use as they left to investigate the incident.
Although I was relieved that my concerns were clearly being addressed, it took me the better part of two hours to calm down. I had, during my trip, used the restroom without incident. I had been somewhat expecting that perhaps another guest would take offense to my presence in a bathroom but that didn't happen! For it TO happen, and that it was a Cast Member who accosted me was a real shock to me as I had previously been treated with courteous respect and kindness during my trip. Several times I had been called 'Princes'' for example! To me Walt Disney World is a place of inclusiveness, tolerance, and a place where dreams come true. Throughout my life, during dark times, I could always look to the magic of Disney to keep me going. For a long time I carried with me a small figurine of Sorcerer Mickey to remind myself that there was still magic to be found somewhere. This incident is really haunting me, as I feel it has perhaps watered down or melted some of the magic. On the morning of my departure I was an emotional mess; I didn't stop crying till I got home.
I have found myself, even after returning home, reliving the incident repeatedly, and have been overly emotional, crying almost constantly, over the tiniest little thing. I don't know if it a hormonal thing or a delayed stress reaction but I have felt irrational and desperate a few times, enough so that I had to talk to a crisis counselor. I do not want to give up Disney; It means so much to me, more so than you might imagine, but when I look at the Tinker Bell figurine on my desk I keep hearing that voice commanding me to leave the bathroom, not the sound of pixie dust.
