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Hi all,

Has anyone here ever been to a transgender conference, such as Southern Comfort or Fantasia Fair? If so what was your experience and how would you evaluate it? I have been thinking of attending one, but would like to know what you girls here think of it.

Waiting and Curious,

Laura :

Laura . . . slightly off topic . . . there is a documentry called "Southern Comfort" about TGism about a TG couple and the events leading up to and including attendence at Southern Comfort.

Half of the couple is a M2F female who develops, yikes, breast cancer after the SRS surgery! Worth a look-see if you can finds it.

Hi Laura,
No I haven't been to one. I'm still tooooo chicken.

Beauty

I am planning to attend the IFGE conference in Philadelphia in April.
I am hoping to get a make over there

Julie Miller

Hi I have been to several. They are a lot of fun and you get to meet people with the same questions you have and some have a few answers. I always know when I have enough clothes packed because the closet is empty or my trunk is full. Have been to SC, Tea Party, and will be going to Be-All in Chicago in June. Try it you will like it! Ruby

I have been to a few, and each one has been excellent! They are a great place to come out for the first time. You are surrounded by friendly people in a safe environment. I have never had any problems with attendees, staff, or people in the area. I highly recommend trying one out.

For myself, I am going to SC this year, maybe Be all in Chicago, and Fall Harvest in Omaha.

     Yes, I have been to the Southern Comfort Conference twice and the En Femme Getaway once. Both are wonderful conferences. Regarding the SCC that you specifically asked about, there typically are about 400 persons attending, most staying at the Sheraton Midtown Hotel at Colony Square, a large hotel in downtown Atlanta. With 400 sisters in the immediate vicinity, you are not alone! You are with other TGs on every ride in an elevator or walk through the lobby. The food, rooms, entertainment, seminars, and shopping opportunities make the SCC a memorable experience.

Yes I went to my first SCC last year and will be going again this year also.
I recomend it to everyone. This year I hope to attend some of the seminars that they have there.
Also it was the first time my wife joined for a night out, and got to meet other so's and friends
Cindy

Hi,

Does everyone stay in the hotel? What's the percentage of non-CDrs?

Beauty

Hi Beauty,

     There is no way to give an accurate answer about the proportion of CDs (versus other TG groups). On the registration form, there is no question, “What kind of TG are you?” So the data do not exist.

     My guess — others may have other guesses — is that the vast majority stay at the Sheraton, and that a clear majority are MtF crossdressers. There also are transsexuals, both MtF and FtM, and there also are a significant number of SOs. In theory, anyone who identifies as transgendered or a friend of the transgendered in even the loosest sense has a place at the SCC. Still, a significant portion of the seminars are aimed at CDs who want makeup tips, clothing tips, feminine deportment tips, pep talks about being confident in public, and so forth, which means the organizers must at least believe that a large portion of the attenders are CDs who would want such information. The diversity adds interest, because you quickly discover that those of other TG groups are real human beings, with essentially the same enthusiasms and fears as the rest of the human race. It is a broadening experience!

Hi Jamie Ann,

I'm sorry. I meant non-transgendered folks.

Like non-transgendered people who are guests at the hotel, but aren't really there for any gender issues. I was excluding the mates of those of us with gender dysphoria.

Sorry about that.

Beauty

Hi Beauty,

     I can only offer you a rough estimate on what percentage of those in the hotel were TG. According to their advertising, “ ... our 467 guest rooms and suites feature all the comforts of home.” If they have 467 rooms total, and 300 of them were occupied by conference participants, that would be roughly two-thirds of the hotel’s guests. My recollection is that the SCC organizers reserved a block of 400 rooms, but those rooms had to be filled by a certain date or they would become available to the general public once again. It is plausible that they filled 300 of them before the rest were released to business travelers and others.

     Since we were at least a majority of the hotel’s guests, we were in little danger of being harrassed by other guests — there is safety in numbers! In fact, relations with the other hotel guests were cordial. Many of the TG guests made a deliberate point of being friendly with others, and most of them were friendly with us. Sorry for mistinterpreting your question.

Hi Jamie Ann,

Thanks for clearing that up. Not knowing what you just wrote was a reason I was afraid to go.

One more question. Do people go out there? If so how are the numbers when going out? Is there acceptance of the TG'd folks who inhabit the town for a weekend?

Thanks again Jamie Ann!!!

Beauty

Hi Beauty,

      In a big city like Atlanta, safety is a major concern, both for TGs and for others. The SCC, however, offers some protection against the usual big city dangers. Looking at my 2003 SCC Program Guide, I see that on Thursday afternoon there was a “chaperoned” (i.e., security present) shopping excursion to the “Little Five Points” area, which has lots of stores of interest to TGs. That night, there was nightclubbing at the Armory, a popular night spot, with buses going between the club and the hotel every ½ hour. On Friday night, there was nightclubbing at Le Buzz, another popular night spot, with continuous shuttle service every ½ hour until 3:00 a.m. On Saturday night, the major social events are at the Sheraton, including a nice banquet and costume-and-dance party. Safety is no concern at all in the Sheraton, because we are a significant majority of the persons at the hotel, especially Saturday night when business travelers are relatively fewer than during the regular work week.

      Hope this helps!   If others want to add something, I hope they will, as I am reporting merely from one person’s limited perspective.

Hi Jamie Ann,

That is such great news!!! It's nothing like I thought.

I think I may go with that kind of coverage.

Thank you!!!!

Beauty