Hello Everyone,

My name is Stephen Ronan and I am an openly bisexual, beautiful, human being and a proud Universal Orlando Team Member as well as a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community. Recently, I was in the process of transitioning to the opposite sex, that I prefer same sex, and that I am not comfortable with who I am as a male and feel more comfortable as a female. About 6 weeks ago I went and got my nails done (my favorite color pink) and at the time I was notified it had to be a neutral color. I went with an ordinary pink color for both my feet and hands. Fast forward to this past Thursday, after being complimented by not only my supervisors but my fellow Team Members as well, and even Guests about how beautiful they were, I was notified that I had to remove them because they were not allowed. I was later written up for having them.
As you can imagine, not only was I hurt but I was super offended by the response to it. I personally do not feel it is right to judge someone just by the different body parts they have. I’ve started this petition in hopes that we can all come together as a united front and get the appearance guidelines changed in the Universal Orlando Team Member handbook. As some may know, Universal is a proud sponsor of the LGBTQIA+ community.
How about we come together and show each other the love and support we have for each other...for both current and future generations.

Below is a list of changes we would like to see be made to help Universal Orlando be more inclusive:

1.Nails and nail polish/painting for all Genders.

It should not matter what sex you were born. If someone identifies as female, male, intersex, other, etc. they should equally be allowed to have neutral and/or venue/thematically appropriate nail polish.

2. Visible Tattoos (as long as they are not vulgar in nature)
Visible tattoos is another big subject because people should have the right to show the art that they paid a lot of money for. I agree with the whole “if it’s vulgar cover it up” concept, but there are some that are absolutely beautiful, and amazing, that should be allowed to be shown.

3.Hair Guidelines for all Genders
This goes off of the first one - it should not matter how someone identifies, allow all genders to grow their hair out as long as it’s kept up and neat. For instance, for someone identifying as female, if they choose to shave their head, let them. That is what makes us comfortable. Allow us to dye our hair as we feel as long as it’s still kept neat and in an operationally safe style (usually up and away from the face, when required.)

4. Gender Neutral Wardrobe
This is a big, hot item. Why should we as a whole be subjected to only wearing gender-specific wardrobe. Again, let us be comfortable with who we are.

5. Ear Piercings
As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I feel, as well as other fellow Team Members, that ear piercings should definitely be allowed regardless of what kind as long as they do not have anything vulgar in nature or that might pose a health and/or safety risk.

6. Consistent Schedule
As a fellow Team Member, I believe a set and consistent schedule would be beneficial, this way we can arrange the rest of our week around work.

7. Proper Pronouns on Name tags and Schedules
I, myself, as well as fellow Team Members, would like to be able to display either name we prefer, male/female/intersex or other, wether it be he/him, she/her, they/them, xie/hir, or a different pronoun. We also suggest this pronoun be added to each name tag underneath the name. This is another opportunity for us to feel comfortable.

8. Make Up for all Genders
As a Transitioning Team Member I feel it is right to allow fellow LGBTQIA+ Members and Team Members to wear their choice of make up as long as it is neutral, wardrobe complimentary and nothing qualifying as “extravagant.”

Above all, Universal is an amazing company to work for. I am proud to work here, I just hope these few things can change to make it even better.
We are also asking that any write ups, counselings, coachings, etc. that were issued due to the UO Team Member handbook and/or UO policy being exclusionary of the aforementioned changes be expunged from all Team Member files.