BABSCon extra story: Using the men's bathroom as a guy cosplaying as a female character

So forgot to mention this in my main retrospective blog, but...here goes. Last weekend at BABSCon, I used the men's toilet at the con venue while dressed as Twilight Sparkle/Opaline. I'm a guy but I had eye makeup, concealer, contour, lipstick, long wig, dress, etc. whole 9 yards.

Nothing happened.

I was a bit afraid at first and expected some negative reactions (my mom warned me about using the men's room while wearing my cosplay). But I was surprised to find I used the men's toilet at BABSCon while in a dress and makeup, and consistently no one even batted an eye. This unfortunately isn't the reality in much of today's society.

I've come up with several possible reasons why the public bathroom was not an issue for me:

• The brony community has many transgender/gender-nonconforming people and so bathroom policing is not welcome.
• It's the Bay Area.
• It's a brony convention and everyone's cosplaying. People expect it.
• My crossdressing doesn't pass.

So I don't know how I should feel about this.

Comments

[Mica]

As I am a guy, by principle I would never use the women's restroom, even if I were dressed very femininely (as I was last weekend).

This is a kinda personal story for me to share and I hope I didn't offend anyone, but I hope that other people can relate to this in one way or another.

[Mockingbirb]

I think there are some guys who are just inclined to let ladies use the men's restroom, in case the ladies' room is overcrowded or has toilets out of order. There are so many reasons for polite, considerate people to let other polite and considerate people dressed as women use the men's room, and these are only a few of the reasons.

Also, I think it's great that you can talk frankly about your cosplay with your mom.

[Opium4TmassS]

I dunno. Maybe you are just overthinking it.

[PresentPerfect]

#'s 1-3 definitely ring true

[Gyro Pony]

You’re still “born gender goes here”.
So regardless of costume, you still use the same public toilets. The same ones you’ve been using your whole life.

Likewise for the ladies cosplaying as Master Chief or Vegeta. We can still see who is guy or gal underneath. (Master Chief may need to remove their helmet though).

It would be strange to think someone must use a different gender toilet based on costume.

EDIT:
Personally, I’d think it would be cool to enter the toilets and unexpectedly see a guy all done up like that, for the same reason I would find it cool to walk on a public bus and see people dressed up in samurai cosplay.

Its about seeing people having fun and knowing they put so much preparation into it!

If I saw you in the public restroom, I’d say you were awesome!

[Mica]

5723195

It would be strange to think someone must use a different gender toilet based on costume.

Or choice of clothing, for that matter.

Reminds me of this infamous scene from Blend S: