#Disney adopts ‘gender inclusive’ costumes for theme park staff

It’s a whole new world at Disney — and tattoos and gender-bending are welcome.

The Mouse House is now allowing cast members at its theme parks to show up to work showing their tattoos and wearing whatever gender costume they like.

“We want our guests to see their own backgrounds and traditions reflected in the stories, experiences and products they encounter in their interactions with Disney,” Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney parks, experiences and products, wrote Tuesday in a blog post entitled: “A Place Where Everyone is Welcome.”

“And we want our cast members — and future cast members — to feel a sense of belonging at work.”

The new rules take effect when Disneyland and Disney California Adventure reopen on April 30 after both parks were shut down last March amid the coronavirus pandemic.

As part of the changes, references to gender have been scrubbed from Disney’s employee dress code handbook, which provides rules on how cast members should show up to work. The guidelines also no longer specify the lengths of men’s hair and have lifted a prior ban on men wearing nail polish.

But nail polish can’t get too crazy, either. Nails must be of one solid color with no charms or adornments. Disney also held onto its rule requiring natural hair color, with bright colors like blue, pink and green, officially banned.

Tattoos also may be on display, unless they are on the face, head, neck or are larger than a hand. Tattoos that include offensive language, symbols or nudity are also a no-no.

D’Amaro said the updated guidelines will help Disney “not only remain relevant in today’s workplace, but also enable our cast members to better express their cultures and individuality at work.”

In recent months, Disney took its Jungle Cruise out of operation to update and get rid of negative racial stereotypes of native people. Disney is also giving Splash Mountain a makeover, removing racist themes from the 1946 Disney film “Song of the South,” and it will introduce its first black princess.

Disney’s recent changes have not only come from guests, but also from within the company. According to D’Amaro, execs in 2019 asked cast members for input on how to “bring a greater focus to inclusivity and belonging.”

“The world is changing, and we will change with it, and continue to be a source of joy and inspiration for all the world,” D’Amaro said. “We’ll never stop working to make sure that Disney is a welcoming place for all.”