My GF and I attended Gen Con last week. For those who don't know what Gen Con is, it is a large gaming convention (over 60,000 people) for us nerdy types. The con is held in Indianapolis, the heart of religious discrimination central (at least in the news lately anyway). I go every few years or so when I can afford it.
I decided that my GF and I were both getting new dresses and shoes and going out for a nice meal while in town. I nearly chickened out twice but decided that I would not have many opportunities to wear such a nice outfit and we went anyway. This was the first time I had been out in such a public place with "no escape" since we walked the half mile or so from the hotel to the restaurant and at 7PM it was still very much daylight. This is a very busy downtown area with that many visitors plus the locals.
Another thing that motivated me was that we were assigned a VERY conservative hotel that reminds you of stuffy suits, dark wood, high dollar scotch and cigars. This is the place where the Republican candidates stay when in town - a private mens club that has hotel rooms and was included in the convention block for some unknown reason. I decided they needed this as much as I did. My main worry was the hotel deciding they could refuse me service because of Indiana's new religious freedom law, which was a slim chance but nevertheless a possible outcome. At worst I could lose my hotel room and not have a place to stay for the con, though that would give them much more negative publicity than they would want, so I dismissed this.
The doorman and valet were occupied when we left the hotel so I didn't have to interact with them. One young man whom we passed very close to on the way obviously saw through the clothes and laughed out loud, openly trying to draw attention to me. I smiled back. The restaurant staff was mortified when I walked in. The younger servers were better about it than those in their 40s and above. I got some staring and some glares but mostly they were content to congregate in the back and whisper to each other. They sent out one server to our table who was a very handsome effeminate young man and he was very friendly and professional so I guess I can't fault the entire staff. A table of teenagers also had fun at my expense but that wasn't as bad.
I have to say I was fairly uncomfortable but soldiered through it. That many judgmental eyes on me was hard to deal with. I did not need to use the restroom so that never came up, though I can only imagine the reaction had I tried.
Upon our return it had become dark so most people left us alone. The doorman at the hotel didn't seem to notice me or if he did he didn't say anything.
Here's the thing that bothers me the most. This is a convention where cosplay is common and even expected. Grown men dress up as space aliens, movie characters, even female child anime characters. Some do this seriously and not "ironically." Apparently a male presenting as a female, something that is currently physically possible to become completely (were I to transition) is too much for these people to handle, yet a guy dressing as Sailor Moon is acceptable. The enormous disconnect still has me mystified.
In any event, I made the bold choice and despite the snickering I enjoyed our night out. I will summon the courage to do so again.