Zee Pepper, a trans and aboriginal man in Melbourne, Australia, is speaking out after experiencing allegedly blatant transphobia in a restaurant at the start of Pride Month.Pepper was dining at the Soho restaurant in Australias second city with his mother and stepsister when he went to use the restroom. He opted for the unisex handicapped bathroom, as he usually does when theres a choice between unisex and mens bathrooms. Related What it actually looks like when trans people follow bathroom bans Two trans people used the bathrooms they are legally required to at a Florida airport. Heres what happened. I always feel safer, obviously, Pepper said in an Instagram story detailing his abuse. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today While Pepper isnt disabled, its perfectly legal for able-bodied people to use handicapped restrooms in Australia.As he went to enter, he says he was stopped by a person claiming to be the manager of the restaurant.He was very overpowering and was demanding that I use the male toilets, Pepper told the Star Observer. I quietly and politely said to him that I am trans and that I dont feel safe to use the male toilets at this time, and that I do have a right to use the unisex ambulant toilet. He responded by laughing in my face, saying he doesnt care, and pointing and demanding I use the males.At that point, I became visibly upset and angry. I asked him, Are you mocking me for being trans? We went back and forth him stating I need to use the males, me saying I felt unsafe and have a right to this toilet.Pepper alleges that the staffer then barricaded the door to the unisex toilet with a pair of posts, before saying, There, now you cant use it at all. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ZEE (@zee.pepper1)The demeanor and tone used was extremely arrogant and it was blatantly obvious that he did not care, Pepper told the paper.As we were walking out, I was quite upset and tried speaking to his staff telling them what happened and how it was discrimination.I felt fearful of the manager he was very overpowering and demeaning. I am extremely disappointed with his actions and lack of support from other venue staff, and I felt demoralized as a person.The next day, Pepper shared his story on Instagram hes been inundated with supportive messages since.Im not normally someone who tends to make a fuss over things nor call out behavior often, but this particular incident was disgusting on so many levels and was clearly discriminatory, so I felt I had to share it with the wider community, he said. I was very surprised and overwhelmed by how viral the post went, but deeply appreciate all the support I received. It has been validating to know that my experience was as harmful as it felt.Referring to the manager, Pepper wrote in his story, To him, its supposed to just be a toilet which any sex can use. A unisex toilet. But for me the option of a unisex toilet is everything, its a choice and a place of safety where I dont need to fear for my life or assault.Ahead of the restaurant confrontation, Pepper has shared his transition journey in detail with followers on social over several years.The Soho reached out to Pepper, but he declined to take their call. Theyve since posted an apology to social media, and they disabled their comments.Id love for people to reshare my post in my support and awareness for others, Pepper said in his story. The discrimination, homophobia, and transphobia in our country need to stop already. I am a human being and deserve to be treated fairly and respectfully.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.