A viral video from transgender TikTok influencer Lilly Contino has ignited fresh controversy over gender identity, public etiquette, and the future of customer service language in major corporations. The Disney World encounter, which involved a server using the term “sir” instead of “ma’am,” has triggered renewed calls for businesses to adopt gender-neutral greetings—and a wave of backlash from critics who say enough is enough.
Contino’s Viral Encounter at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Lilly Contino, a biological male who identifies as a woman, posted a TikTok video recounting a dinner incident at Tiffins Restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. While dressed in women’s attire and asking about a bread dish, Contino was referred to as “sir” by the server. The influencer immediately corrected the employee with “ma’am”, visibly shaken on camera.
Though the server apologized instantly, Contino said the moment shattered a sense of safety at the so-called “happiest place on earth.” Refusing to eat the meal, Contino told staff, “I no longer feel safe here,” and insisted on the check without dining.
Man named Lilly Contino, who pretends that he’s a woman, takes video in many bathrooms and says he’s the victim.
Lilly clearly couldn’t care less about women he subjects to his harassment.
Has he ever thought how uncomfortable he makes women by being in their private spaces? pic.twitter.com/Z8gFzwgcyo
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) November 29, 2024
Public Backlash Over Response and Expectations
Disney management comped the meal and offered a free drink, hoping to resolve the issue quietly. But online reactions were anything but quiet. Critics slammed the situation as performative outrage, pointing out that the server’s mistake was clearly unintentional and rectified on the spot.
Contino remained unmoved, saying, “Just because they apologized doesn’t mean I don’t feel sad or offended.” The comment ignited a wave of online backlash, with many accusing the influencer of seeking attention and placing unreasonable burdens on frontline workers.
"Why is this man NOT on a watchlist?" 😂
Nick "Lilly" Contino, the TRA known for throwing tantrums and berating service workers, takes a break from harassing wait staff to read a children's book—written by a transgender Satanist who also published a sex manual for 10-year-olds. pic.twitter.com/WwNAkj9W4U
— Gays Against Groomers (@againstgrmrs) April 8, 2025
Pushing Gender-Neutral Language in Public Spaces
This isn’t the first time Contino has claimed to be misgendered publicly. Social media videos from 2023 reveal similar complaints. In light of the Disney incident, Contino is now advocating for companies like Disney to adopt gender-neutral terms like “friend” or “guest” when addressing customers.
While some progressives applaud the idea, critics argue it’s impractical and confusing, especially for workers who serve thousands of guests per day. Others warn it sets a precedent where subjective offense trumps common sense, further eroding public trust in institutions trying to appease extreme identity politics.
Whether Disney and other corporations bend to these demands remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the battle over pronouns and identity politics isn’t staying in activist circles—it’s hitting America’s biggest family destinations.