1: General
2: Attending
3: Activities
4: Lodging
5: Transportation
6: Entertainment
7: Dress
8: Costs
9: Big Sisters
10: E-mail, Media and Contact
11: Volunteers
12: Photos
13: Behavior, Dress, Restrooms
14: Visiting Las Vegas
15: MyDLV
16: Misc
What is Diva Las Vegas?
Diva Las Vegas is the name given to a get-together of members of the
transgender community, and their friends and guests, which historically
has usually happened in the spring, but has been shifted to the fall,
at least for 2021-2022, due to the complications of the Covid-19
pandemic.
It began as an in-real-life meeting of those who had gotten to know each
other on the Internet. As the name implies, this happens in Las Vegas,
Nevada, USA.
We spend a few days just being ourselves and take in the
sights and activities of Las Vegas.
Diva Las Vegas is a vacation, not a convention.
Diva Las Vegas is not based on the model used for almost all of the other
major TG gatherings.
Some of the differences between Diva Las Vegas and the others include:
Dates for DLV 2023 are Sunday, October 22 thru Friday, October 27 for
the "Main Event" with an optional "Extended Play
Event" continuing through the weekend and
concluding October 29
The event we know as Diva Las Vegas began in 1997.
This year (2023) will be our 26th. event!
We have a mailing list (e-mail) for those interested in attending the event.
To join this mailing list, simply send e-mail to
dlv@divalas.vegas
You can also join in on the chit-chat on the
DLV Discussion Forum on the web.
When you submit your e-mail address to this list, it will be used for
this list and this list only. It will be kept confidential and will not
be given out to third parties. You will not receive any unsolicited
commercial e-mail (spam) by joining this list.
No. Never has been, never will be.
Diva Las Vegas is a social event for members of the TG community and
their friends and guests. It is not sexually oriented.
That's somebody else trying to ride our coat tails. We have nothing
to do with that. If it doesn't appear on our schedule, it's not
part of DLV.
No, our yearly schedule is not fixed as to a certain week within
a certain month or anything like that. There are too many variables
and too many unknowns to make this possible.
The correct name of our event is:
"Diva Las Vegas"
Three words.
"Diva" Singular, non-possessive, four letters, no "s" at all.
"Las Vegas" Two words, both capitalized. No "o" at all
anywhere in our name.
No apostrophe anywhere in our name!
"Of" does not appear in the name of the event at all. Neither
does "the", and we don't prefix it with "A" to get the top
listing in the phone book. :)
The name was intended as a word play on the Elvis' Viva Las Vegas
song and film title. It's often shortened to "DLV" or just
"Diva" at times.
Keeping in mind that the totals between 1998 and 2001 are
approximate since we did not have a formal registration and
check-in process, here are the numbers we have:
Dates of our events in past years are:
There are two ways of asking questions or expressing concerns.
For the fastest answer or response, post a brief message in the
Diva Las Vegas Discussion Forum. This
is the suggested method if you require a quick response or if
your question or concern may be of interest to others.
If you're uneasy asking your question in a public forum, you may
e-mail: dlv@divalas.vegas with
your question or concern. Please allow several days at minimum for
a response. Also, please understand that well over 90% of the
questions we receive by e-mail are already answered in this FAQ,
so please don't get upset if the reply you receive is to look in
a particular section of this FAQ.
How do I register and does it cost anything to register?
There is no cost to register. See section 8 (costs) in this FAQ.
Most definitely, sir! :)
No. There are a number of resources available for TG teens,
but Diva Las Vegas is not one of them, sorry.
Yes we did, and in all cases those of age 18-20 could not fully
participate due to age restrictions at several of our venues.
Spouses and SO's of age 21 or older are most welcome to attend and to
participate with the group.
As for kids, very few DLV activities will be appropriate for,
or of interest to those of teenage years or younger.
Some of the hotels do have activities geared for those through
the mid teens. Some hotels still have a video arcade area. Some theme
parks and areas, including rides, games, etc., are available on the Strip,
but many of these have been shut down within the past several years.
Most of the larger hotels and resorts will have a sitter service available.
Please be aware, however, that some hotels that cater to adults will
have certain not-so-subtle practices to discourage bringing kids, such
as counting each child of any age for room occupancy, making all persons
of all ages in the buffet line pay full price, prohibiting strollers on
the property, etc. Please ask about things like this when you make
reservations if you will be bringing younger children.
Check-in is very simple. At your first DLV activity, one of our volunteers
will take your name, give you your name tag if you need one,
and ask if you have any questions or concerns.
The deadline for registration will usually be 2-3 days before the
start date of the event.
Yes, admirers are welcome. We've always been open to anybody who
identifies with the theme of DLV, and who agrees to behave as a lady or
a gentleman (or both).
Speaking freely, admirers do have a reputation of coming on
very strong, and it is this behavior, not the mere fact that they are
admirers, that makes them unwelcome at some TG gatherings.
We have had admirers, both male and female, attend DLV over the years with
no issues whatsoever.
Anyone of any gender, orientation, and persuasion will most likely be
welcome at DLV as long as they behave appropriately and respect the
others who will be present.
Please see our Admirers Guide to DLV
for further discussion.
Yes, you do.
We're asking all people who want to participate in any DLV activities to
please register. It's simple, quick, painless, discreet, and spam-free.
But {so and so} said I really don't have to register.
{So and so} is wrong.
But what if I just want to hang around, and not do any activities?
We're still asking you to please register. Registration is not optional
if you want to participate in Diva Las Vegas.
What if I just show up?
Please expect to be turned away, sorry.
We will not be accepting unannounced "walk-in"
attendees. You must register in advance to participate in DLV.
About 20% of the DLV participants come from Las Vegas and the surrounding
area.
If you live in the Las Vegas area, DLV will introduce you to many others
in the area who share your interest, as well as give you a sample of
places you can go and things you can do in the area.
There's no requirement that you stay in one of our suggested hotels when
you attend DLV, although a few from the local area do, for one reason or
another.
Please follow the usual procedure. Register on line and please indicate
in the appropriate space that you are local to Las Vegas.
But {so and so} said that locals don't have to register.
{So and so} is wrong!
That's water under the bridge. All is forgiven. Looking forward to having
you with us!
To register for Diva Las Vegas you must agree to three things:
The main condition of participation is that you dress and act as a lady or
gentleman and be nice to others. The Conditions Of Participation document
is on line
HERE.
The Behavior, Dress, and Restroom
guidelines are discussed in depth in section 13 of this FAQ.
The Waiver Of Liability is standard and appears on the registration screens.
An advance copy will be sent to you on request. Some DLV activities (such
as Air Tours and Roller Derby Boot Camp) may require a more formal signed
liability waiver.
(This is most likely the most frequently asked question.)
Headcount projections are announced in our mailing list.
Attendance total exceeded 100 each year since 2003. Our highest
attendance was 179 in 2010.
You are definitely welcome and there will likely be other single genetic
women at DLV as well as spouses. We're always happy to have friends!
Yes, most definitely! All of the DLV organizers and volunteers know exactly
how you feel. We'll do what we can to help you feel comfortable, such as:
It depends.
If you are spouses, "significant others" to each other, or
life partners, you are welcome to register as a couple, and the "SO
Attending" checkbox is intended for this, to make it convenient to
register both of you in one step.
If you are friends, even best friends or "very very good friends"
but not life partners, we ask you to please register individually.
Why? Mainly because history has shown that tag-alongs and "She's
With Me" guests frequently don't get the word about what's going
on.
Your cooperation is appreciated.
Spouses and "Significant Others" are always welcome and
can be included on your registration.
Bona fide immediate family members are welcome to participate with you.
We ask that you request any other friends and guests who want to
attend with you to register. It costs nothing and there's very little
formality. This gets them on our roster, allows them to sign up for
any activities they wish to do, and admits them to all regular DLV
activities which they want to attend.
Individuals who do not appear on our roster, including "she's
with me" guests, will not be admitted to DLV activities.
Your understanding and cooperation are appreciated.
Over the past several years, about 20% of the primary attendees brought their
spouse or partner along. Most partners participate regularly in the DLV
activities.
What are some of the activities that are planned?
For our upcoming events, summary schedules are regularly published in
the mailings as they are developed.
Since there is no registration fee, no meals are pre-paid prior to the event.
Several group meals are planned, some in reserved areas, some in mainstream
public facilities. All are optional. Sign-up is required for some of these,
and the details are announced in the mailings.
We've had groups of DLV participants attend services for several years.
See our schedule of activities and mailing list for details.
You sign up for golf (as
well as most other optional activities) at activity sign-up time.
Details on activity sign-up appear in the regular mailings.
You must be a registered DLV attendee to play golf with the group.
You'll be missing quite a bit, but yes, that's fine if that's what you want
to do. Register as usual, select the golf day as both your arrival and
departure dates, and check only the golf box when you sign up for
activities.
The Final Attendee Information (previously known as the
"Large Final Mailing"), which will be sent to all
registered attendees during the week prior to DLV
will contain a very detailed schedule containing locations of the
activities, exactly where in the venue to meet the group, etc.
No, it doesn't work that way, sorry.
You will need to register in order to receive this information. We will
not be admitting unannounced walk-ins to our activities, sorry.
Nothing could be further from the truth! Whoever says this is badly misinformed.
Yes, we have several meals planned. Everybody has to eat. We also
have social gatherings at which adult beverages are served, but
this is only the tip of the iceberg. Our event consists of a rich
schedule of daytime and evening activities of all types, including "touristy" things,
"outdoorsy" things, entertainment options, shopping, side trips
and much more. Review the photos from the past years for examples
of what you can expect.
Sorry if this appears blunt, but those who are not registered for our
event do not have a need to know the locations.
Activity locations, including maps, parking hints, etc., are given out
to those registered for the event.
Where is everybody staying? Is there an official or host hotel?
Unlike most other TG community events, Diva Las Vegas is not centered around
a hotel.
One of the primary purposes of our sugggested hotels is for those who want
or need to be in the proximity of other DLV attendees. For this reason, we
want to limit the number of hotels we suggest so that any of our suggested
hotels will have a meaningful number of our attendees.
In recent years, group rates have been available at our primary suggested
hotel.
What about local transportation to the DLV activities?
Everybody attending DLV is responsible for their own
transportation to and from the various activities.
Mainly because it did not scale well and generated countless
complaints, both from volunteer drivers and those in need of rides.
Our volunteers are unwilling to assume the liability of a more
formal program to provide transportation to the activities.
Those in need of rides and those with vehicles who are willing
to give rides to others are encouraged to use the DLV Discussion
Forum to exchange contact information and coordinate ride sharing efforts.
First of all, don't panic. With very rare exception, there will be a
ride available for you.
The biggest problem along this line is finding a ride to your first
DLV activity.
If you will not be driving and need a ride, we VERY
STRONGLY suggest that you stay in one of our
suggested hotels so you will be near other attendees who will be willing
to give you a ride.
Well in advance of your first DLV
activity, post a note in the DLV Discussion Forum
explaining that you will be staying in such and such a hotel and
that you will need a ride to some certain activity. With rare
exception, others will respond and offer you a ride.
Once you have made that initial contact, you'll find that it is
very easy to arrange rides with others for the rest of the week.
A few notes about rides ...
What do you do at Diva Las Vegas?
We have many organized activities throughout the event.
There's also shopping, dining, shows,
clubs, sightseeing, socializing, and, of course, gaming. Read on for
some examples of what you can expect.
What's the difference between Diva Las Vegas and other events such as Fantasia Fair, Be-All, Southern Comfort, etc.?
When does this happen?
These dates may be considered final.
How long has this been going on?
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, no event was held in 2020.
What do I need to do if I want more information?
Is Diva Las Vegas a sexually-oriented event?
But what about all of those wild parties I keep hearing about?
Does Diva Las Vegas occur at the same exact time each year?
By precedent, DLV has always happened in the spring. The exact
dates of each DLV event are set several months in advance by a vote of the
active volunteers.
Due to the lingering Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, the timing of the event
was shifted to the fall. This timing (annual event in the fall) has been
continued for the 2022 and 2023 seasons as well.
What is the exact, correct name of this event?
What have the attendance totals been over the years?
1997: 5
1998: 16
1999: 35
2000: 50
2001: 65
2002: 88
2003: 104
2004: 118
2005: 126
2006: 118
2007: 136
2008: 176
2009: 149
2010: 179
2011: 169
2012: 155
2013: 166
2014: 156
2015: 133
2016: 140
2017: 142
2018: 134
2019: 132
2020: (no event)
2021: 152
2022: 136
What were the dates of previous DLV events?
1997: Friday, May 9 - Sunday, May 11
1998: Friday, May 8 - Monday, May 11
1999: Friday, May 14 - Tuesday, May 18
2000: Thursday, May 11 - Tuesday, May 16
2001: Wednesday, May 2 - Monday, May 7
2002: Tuesday, April 30 - Sunday, May 5
2003: Tuesday, April 22 - Sunday, April 27
2004: Sunday, May 2 - Saturday, May 8
2005: Sunday, April 24 - Saturday, April 30
2006: Monday, April 17 - Sunday, April 23
2007: Monday, April 23 - Saturday, April 28
2008: Monday, April 21 - Saturday, April 26
2009: Monday, May 11 - Saturday, May 16
2010: Sunday, April 18 - Friday, April 23
2011: Sunday, April 3 - Friday, April 8
2012: Sunday, April 22 - Friday, April 27
2013: Sunday, April 14 - Friday, April 19
2014: Sunday, March 30 - Friday, April 4
2015: Sunday, March 22 - Friday, March 27
2016: Monday, March 28 - Saturday, April 2
2017: Sunday, March 26 - Friday, March 31
2018: Sunday, April 15 - Friday, April 20
2019: Sunday, March 31 - Friday, April 5
2020: (no event)
2021: Tuesday, October 26 - Monday, November 1
What if I have a question which is not covered by this FAQ?
Category 2: Attending
I'm F to M, am I still welcome?
I'm under 21 years of age, can I still attend?
But didn't you once allow 18-20 year olds to attend?
Since all who were 18-20 years of age when they attended are now over
21, this policy is entirely forward-looking at this time.
Las Vegas is really a "21 and over" town, and it's unfair
to invite individuals to join us only to have to tell them that they
will only be able to partially participate.
Are spouses, significant others, and children welcome at Diva Las Vegas?
When I get to Las Vegas, how do I "check in" and make contact with the group?
If you're new to DLV, one of our volunteers will greet you
and introduce you around to the others in the group.
The times and locations of the various activities, along with directions
and instructions for locating the group, will be given to those who
register. Local contact phone numbers will be given to those who register
so there will be no concern about failing to make contact or losing
contact.
What is the deadline for registration?
There may be other deadlines and cutoffs, such as for sign-up for some
of the popular activities, and these will be announced in the mailings.
Please note that you must register to attend DLV. Unannounced
"walk-ins" and "she's with me" tag-alongs will
not be admitted.
What's your policy on admirers? Are admirers welcome?
Do I still have to register if I only want to do 1 or 2 activities with the group?
I'm local to Las Vegas and want to attend, what should I do?
I registered for DLV once but did not show up. Am I still welcome?
What is expected of me? Are there any conditions of participation?
About how many people will be attending?
Are single (unaccompanied) women (GG's) allowed to attend?
Quite honestly, I'm scared. I might back out. Can you help me?
Please be assured that even though you may not know anyone else in
advance, you will be among friends.
It is universally reported that those who are nervous when going to their
first DLV activity lose that nervous feeling within minutes after meeting
the others.
I'm bringing somebody with me. Should we register as a couple or individually?
Can I bring guests? Family members? Other TGs? Friends?
About how many partners and "Significant Others" participate in Diva Las Vegas?
One thing to note is that the DLV participants make up a very diverse
group and we do have a certain number of male SOs, TG-TG and
other "nontraditional" bondings.
Category 3: Activities
Here's a list
of activities which have happened at recent events:
Ideas for new and different activities are always in the works.
How many meals are included?
What if I want to attend religious services when I'm in Las Vegas?
How do I sign up for golf?
What do I do if I want to sign up for golf and nothing else?
When will the activity locations be announced?
On the final detailed schedule, you will be able to "drill down"
to location information and a map of exactly where the location of any
activity is.
The Final Attendee Information will include
information on who to contact if you get lost or can't locate
the group.
But can I get a list of activity locations just in case I decide to show up?
I've been told that all you do at Diva Las Vegas is eat and drink and you don't do any of the "fun" stuff. What's the story?
Why don't the public working schedules show activity locations?
Category 4: Lodging
We always suggest one or more hotels
for our attendees.
Use the "Hotel" link on the main page for information
about our suggested hotel(s) for the next event.
We make these suggestions for those who want to know where DLV people
have stayed in the past and received good service, and for those who
want to be around others from the group.
There is no requirement that you stay in our suggested hotels, you may
stay anywhere you wish.
In the past, our people have stayed at many Strip and off-Strip places
and some of
the smaller places, all without any problems.
But there's this other hotel which is just as nice. Why don't you add it to your list?
Please feel free to use our Discussion Forum to recommend your favorite
hotel to others who will be attending.
Are any discount, promotional or group hotel rates available.
These will usually sell out and may or may not be available at any given time.
See the mailings for announcements regarding group hotel rates.
Category 5: Transportation
Rides with
others (at the riders' own risk, of course) will usually be available.
Details on transportation options are discussed
on the mailing list and in the Final Attendee Information.
Why was the "Ride Share Program" discontinued.
But I'm new, scared, and I don't know anyone and I won't have a car. What in the world do I do for a ride?
|
At the main entrances of all major hotels there will be a taxi stand. Look for a sign saying "Taxi Line", "For taxi wait here", or something similar. Usually this will be very obvious. If you can't find it, tell the doorkeeper that you need a taxi. Taxis will be picking up and dropping off guests at all major hotels during all hours.
Join the taxi line at the rear, or step to the front of the taxi stand if there is no line. Taxis will usually be waiting in a staging area. You may have to signal by raising your finger to indicate that you need a taxi. Often times the doorkeeper will blow a whistle to indicate to waiting taxis that a rider is ready. If no taxis are ready, wait a while. Taxis drop off and pick up at all major hotels regularly.
If you're shy about using your voice to tell the taxi driver or the doorkeeper where you want to go, write out the address in large letters on a piece of paper and hand it to the driver or to the doorkeeper when you are asked where you want to go.
Instructions on what to tell a taxi driver to get to our various activities will appear on the detailed final schedule. ("Bellagio, and step on it!") :)
It is usually not necessary to tip the doorkeeper for simply whistling to a taxi for you, but if the door staff assists you with luggage or something significant, yes, a tip is appropriate.
A taxi driver depends on tips to supplement his/her income, so it will be highly unusual for a driver to remark about your appearance or manner of dress.
At the destination, the total fare will be clearly indicated on the taxi meter. A tip (15% - 20% or so) is expected, but is not legally required. If the service was good, a tip should be given. If the driver made any derogatory comments to you, drove recklessly, or was in any way a jerk, feel free to pay the total on the meter only.
Please note that in Las Vegas, taxis are to pick up only at designated taxi stands or from a radio call. They are not supposed to respond to a "hail" on the street, although they sometimes will.
The main Las Vegas Monorail is quite "safe" to use and
travels on the east side of the Las Vegas Strip. Ticketing is very
similar to that used on most subways and elevated systems. You buy
a single or multi-ride ticket at a machine and insert it into the
slot at an entrance turnstyle.
For our activities located in venues near the Monorail, the
proper Monorail stop will be noted on our final detailed schedule.
Motorized tramway systems run between the Bellagio, City Center,
and Park MGM, and also between the Excalibur, Luxor, and
Mandalay Bay on the west side of the Strip. These are free and
there are no formalities when boarding or riding. A smaller free
tramway runs between the Mirage and Treasure Island.
Some casinos and other firms operate free shuttles between various
properties. Some are free with
no formalities, while some others require proof of residency such
as a room key or a players club card. Some of these are reported to
be "safe" but circumstances vary between the various
shuttle services.
The newer double-decker "Deuce" bus on the Strip and other
major bus routes has been ridden by our attendees with no major
issues reported, but in general, the city bus is only suggested for
those with a high confidence level and significant public exposure
experience.
Our attendees used Uber and Lyft from DLV 2016 forward with no issues.
At our sister event, Pinkfest, several attendees used these
services with no significant issues at all.
Who's speaking?
You are. :)
Every year, the group frequented several establishments that are known
to be TG-friendly. Most of these appear in the "Bars and Nightlife"
section of our Big List.
There will occasionally be a few activities at which self-produced performances
will occur. Details will be announced as these activities are planned.
The group has attended karaoke sessions, both mainstream and
alternative, off and on for many years.
Can I really go out dressed in Las Vegas?
Well, since Las Vegas has a law against public nudity, you have to. <bfg>
Seriously, everyone attending is free to dress according to their own
desire, style, and comfort level, within the bounds of what's usual and
customary to be worn, of course. Some of the participants remain in one
mode or the other throughout the affair. Some choose to be in one mode
for some activities, and the other for some.
We ask that when you're with the group, you dress appropriate to the
occasion and activity, and act as a lady or gentleman, whichever you
prefer at the time.
We ask that you dress in a presentable manner, in good taste, and in a
manner appropriate to the activity at hand, while with the group. We
also ask that you refrain from dressing or acting in a manner intended
to flaunt transgenderism or in a manner intended primarily to attract
attention.
You will be welcome to participate either as "brother" or
"sister" (or both) depending on your preference.
If you wish, you will be free to transition from one mode to the other
at a time that will be primarily determined by your own comfort level.
You might plan your big "coming out" to be at a time such as
an evening at a club that is known to be T-friendly. Several of those
attending will be willing to help you as needed, and will give you
feedback as to what you should do, and what may or may not be
appropriate.
This year we will have some volunteer "Big Sisters" who will
be able to coach and help if necessary.
Play it by ear. You will know when you're ready to appear in public.
Our activities are held in many locations throughout the Las Vegas area
and in most cases, changing facilities are not available at our
activity locations.
If you require changing facilities, post a note in the Discussion
Forum explaining the circumstances and most likely somebody will
have a solution for you.
About how much does it cost to attend DLV?
It depends.
The major expenses for most DLV attendees are travel expenses
and lodging expenses.
The cost of hotel rooms in Las Vegas varies from $0 to several
hundred dollars per night, depending on such things as location,
availability, and the phase of the moon.
Prices for our suggested hotels are discussed in the mailing list
and on the DLV Discussion Forum.
People who regularly play
at any of the major casinos can often arrange for reduced-rate or
complimentary accommodations.
Any midscale Strip hotel will have meals priced well within
the budget of anyone staying there. Almost any casino will serve
complimentary drinks (alcoholic or non) to those playing any table or
machine game.
Air fare to McCarran Airport in Las Vegas is usually available in the
$200-$300 range from most major airports in the US, if booked in advance
and if peak travel periods are avoided. The key word here is ADVANCE.
Shuttle service from the airport to major strip hotels is frequent and
reasonably-priced.
Rental cars are usually available in the $35-ish per day range.
If you are on a tight budget, see the question and answer below.
Las Vegas CAN be one of the most economical
vacation spots. Some hints for those who want to make the most of their
money at Diva Las Vegas appear HERE.
(This document is dated but does have information that is currently valid.)
There are some real-world costs involved with putting on an event such
as Diva Las Vegas, and previously, the organizers and volunteers had no
means of getting reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses that
they incurred.
What is the Big Sister Program?
In 2001 we established the DLV Big Sister Program to make attending
our event easier for those who are a bit shy, new to public exposure,
or unsure about attending our event for almost any reason.
There are two ways to request a Big Sister:
The Big Sister Program is a good-faith effort on all parts.
Phone our Big Sister Hotline at any reasonable hour. One of the
members of the Big Sister Team will assist you.
The number for the Big Sister Hotline will be given to all
individuals who are registered for the event.
DLV volunteers are not required to give rides to other attendees and
if they do, it's a private arrangement between driver and rider and it's
not considered part of their "official duties" as DLV volunteers.
If the two of you agree upon it, yes, it can happen, but it's not
guaranteed, and if it does, accept the ride only under the condition
that it's at your own risk for anything unfortunate or unexpected which
happens in the course of that ride.
Also please keep in mind that many DLV attendees will not be driving
a vehicle during the event for any of several reasons. Such things
as shared taxi rides are possible if all involved agree.
If you find that you have difficulty or anxiety leaving your hotel
room or vehicle on your way to join us for a DLV activity, find a
phone and give our Big Sister Hotline a call.
In most cases, we'll get a volunteer to you pronto who will walk
that last mile with you.
This, and other contact phone numbers, will be sent to all registered
attendees in the Final Attendee Information just prior to the event.
Phone any of the general DLV contact people. They will assist you as
best they can.
The best way to volunteer is to fill out the Big Sister Volunteer
form using the appropriate button on the DLV registration page.
The most important is the desire to help others!
It's best if you have attended DLV in the past and have a good idea
of how things work at DLV, since our event is quite different than
the other major TG events.
You should be willing to spend a reasonable amount of face-to-face
time with your Little Sister during the event, particularly during
the first few days that your Little Sister is present.
You should also be willing to correspond with your little sister
by e-mail, prior to the event, if necessary.
What's the story with the new "divalas.vegas" domain?
The "vegas" top-level domain was created a few years ago and
we now use the domain divalas.vegas (no "www.", no ".com"
just "divalas.vegas") as our primary Internet domain.
Almost all e-mail of any type should be sent to:
dlv@divalas.vegas
The direct e-mail addresses to the following may be used:
How about clubs and bars that are TG-friendly?
What about performance-type activities, such as an amateur drag show, karaoke, etc.?
Category 7: Dress
Is there any dress code for Diva Las Vegas? What should I plan to bring to wear?
Either girlmode or boymode dress is fine for most DLV activities.
Casual to moderately dressy attire, either boymode or girlmode, is
acceptable at most DLV activities.
Casual attire is required for some activities such as shopping and
side trips.
Dressy and formal attire is encouraged for some of our more
upscale evening activities.
More exotic attire is appropriate and encouraged at some designated
activities.
General dress guidelines as well as specific dress suggestions for
each activity will be sent to those who register.
More specific discussions on what to bring, and what to wear for the
various activities occur in the Diva Las Vegas Mailing List and in
the Discussion Forum.
A collection of the dress-related articles from over the years now
appears HERE.
What do you suggest I do if I want to attend but I've never been out in public before?
Are changing facilities available?
Category 8: Costs
I'm on a very tight budget but I still want to attend. What advice can you give me?
What's the story on these "donations" that you are requesting?
These donations are strictly voluntary, and are considered a gift from
you to help with expenses, and not consideration for services rendered.
You will be able to donate when you register as well as in person
during the event.
The particulars of our donation program are on line
HERE
.
Category 9: Big Sisters
Big Sisters are DLV volunteers who have expressed the
desire to help those who are new or unsure. They are matched one-to-one
with attendees who desire the assistance of a companion and mentor.
I'm new. How do I request the assistance of a Big Sister?
Are there any guarantees with the Big Sister program?
When you request a Big Sister, we'll try, in good faith,
to match you with someone who will be helpful to you, but due to many
real-world factors, including human nature, we are unable to make any
guarantees and DLV organizers and volunteers cannot be responsible if
things do not turn out to your liking.
Our Big Sister Hotline (number available in the Final Attendee
Information) will be answered by a member of the Big Sister
Team and this can be used during the event for any Big Sister
issues.
What can I do if I don't sign up for a Big Sister but find I need one during the event?
Will my Big Sister give me a ride to the DLV activities?
What if I get "stuck" in my hotel room or motor vehicle?
Where do I find the number of the Big Sister Hotline?
What can I do if I get no answer or get stuck in Voice Mail Jail on the Big Sister Hotline?
What do I do if I want to volunteer to be a Big Sister?
Alternatively you may e-mail
bigsister@divalas.vegas to volunteer.
What are the necessary qualifications to become a Big Sister?
Category 10: E-mail, Media and Contact
The phase-in process to the divalas.vegas domain is mostly complete as
of this writing although there are some functions (such as the Forum)
that may still be on the previously-used domains.
Most previously-used email addresses and web URLs will continue to
work as expected for the foreseeable future.
Most "Deep links" to such things as photos, documents, etc. on
our web site should continue to work indefinitely.
If you have any difficulty using the new divalas.vegas domain, please
email tech@divalas.vegas and
we will assist you.
What is the best e-mail address to use to send e-mail to Diva Las Vegas?
Are there any other administrative, miscellaneous or technical contact e-mail addresses?
dlvorg@divalas.vegas | To send e-mail to the DLV Organizers Group (DLVORG) |
dlvdisc@divalas.vegas | For submissions to the DLV Discussion Forum |
bigsister@divalas.vegas | E-mail pertaining to the Big Sister Program. |
tech@divalas.vegas | Technical issues, e-mail issues, web site errors, etc. |
abuse@divalas.vegas | Spam complaints, etc. |
dlv@divalas.vegas may always be used if you're unsure on the exact address to which DLV e-mail is to be sent.
Just send a brief e-mail to dlv@divalas.vegas and state that you wish to join the mailing list. It will help if you include the word "Subscribe" in the subject of your message.
You can be assured that if you aren't interested in DLV or no longer interested in DLV, we don't want to bother you and fill up your inbox with unwanted mail.
A brief e-mail message with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject will usually get you removed from all of our mailing lists.
What is usually happening in that case is that the e-mail address you're sending your unsubscribe from does not match any address which we have on file. All of our recent mailings contain the line "This was addressed to:" and the e-mail address to which it was sent toward the bottom of the mailing. Please be sure you include this line if your current e-mail address is not the same as the address we are using to send you our mailings.
Should you ever send e-mail to DLV which is returned as undeliverable, please forward the returned message(es) with all headers and "gobbledygook" intact to:
This "backup" e-mail account is not checked nearly as frequently as the main DLV account, so unless you have difficulty, please use the main DLV e-mail address:
... for sending e-mail to DLV.
E-mail addressed to the main DLV address is forwarded to our Corresponding Secretary, Project Manager, and Systems Administrator.
The Corresponding Secretary is responsible for handling most routine correspondence.
The Project Manager will handle any e-mail regarding the organization of the next upcoming DLV event.
The Systems Administrator will handle any e-mail of a technical nature.
Please be assured that we intend to respond to all e-mail which requires a response in a timely manner.
We do not routinely respond to commercial or promotional items which have no direct relevance to our event.
The first thing you should do if you are awaiting a response is to resend or send a reminder. E-mail is not a perfect medium and humans make mistakes.
Here are a few helpful hints to assure that you're able to send and receive e-mail to and from us without difficulty:
If, after several tries and a realistic time to wait for a response, you still have difficulty, send a brief e-mail to tech@divalas.vegas and explain the circumstances. Please detail when you sent your e-mail, the exact e-mail address to which you sent it, and a summary of your item.
If your item is not relevant to our event it will not be forwarded or
published.
"Forward Me" items, regardless of how urgent, important,
cute, or heartwarming they may appear to be, will be ignored.
Our media are not intended for general announcements or TG community
news.
No, sorry.
Those were for use only during the event. Please do not use those numbers once the event has concluded. Your cooperation is appreciated.
We ask that you please do not phone any DLV organizers or volunteers directly unless you have been given explicit first-person permission to do so! Please respect the privacy of our volunteers.
No, we do not.
First, be sure you're using a correct and current URL. If you're following a link on the web or from an old e-mail, you may be following an outdated URL. The main DLV page is on the web at: https://divalas.vegas and there are links from that main page to all current DLV pages.
If you're sure you are using a correct URL, wait a while and try again. Most internet disruptions are temporary and resolve themself in time.
If you're certain that the problem is on our end, please report it to: tech@divalas.vegas
You are not using the complete and correct URL. Click here: https://divalas.vegas
We don't do banners, sorry.
If you run a site which is of significant interest to our attendees, we will consider listing you, depending on the circumstances. We will not post a link to any sexually-oriented or "dating" site.
If you run a business which has a physical storefront, open to the public during normal business hours, in the Las Vegas vicinity and wish to invite our attendees and web visitors, we would be happy to list you on our Big List of vendors.
If you would like to link to us, please feel free to do so with one reservation. If your web site is sexually oriented, we ask that you please refrain from linking to us. Your understanding is appreciated.
We've seen cases where our mailings are improperly classified as spam by some spam filters, and rejected or filed in a junk mail folder. Our mailings will have unsubscribe instructions, which will have similar verbiage to the so-called removal instructions contained in many spam messages, and this will trigger some spam filters.
Each mailing we make typically results in a number of failures for reasons such as "mailbox full", "over quota", etc.
If you're not receiving our mailings, check your mail configuration to be sure you're not rejecting our mail or classifying it as spam, and that you are keeping your mailbox within your size quota.
If after repeated attempts to join the list with no mail reception, please consider trying the following:
If it's been a while since you've tried to join, or since you received anything, you may have to re-join the list since we regularly purge our list of undeliverable addresses.
You will normally stay on our mailing list from year to year unless one of the following things happens:
If your e-mail address changes, please send in a change of address request. Please be sure to keep enough space in your inbox to receive our mailings. If you were dropped due to undeliverable mail, you may have to join our list again.
The Diva Las Vegas "emergency" e-mail address (dlvemergency@yahoo.com) should only be used in the case of e-mail outages involving our main e-mail system.
This e-mail account is only checked during known or suspected e-mail outages.
Please do not CC: this address "just in case".
The normal e-mail address (dlv@divalas.vegas) should always be used except in the event of e-mail outages involving our main e-mail system.
Unfortunately, e-mail sender address falsification is easy to do and is very common among spammers. It is highly unlikely that the spam you received actually originated from or transited through any of our e-mail systems.
If you sincerely believe that any spam e-mail actually came from our e-mail system, please forward the offending message(s) with the complete header lines intact to: abuse@divalas.vegas
We have volunteers who are active in the anti-spam community and we will check your report thoroughly.
To better tell what did and did not actually originate from our e-mail systems, our legitimate e-mail will almost never contain any file attachments or any embedded graphics. If it appeared to come from DLV and has a file attached to it, it's most likely something very nasty which was sent to you without our approval.
Things such as brochures and flyers are occasionally produced, depending on the anticipated importance of attracting new attendees to the next annual event.
DLV brochures are now available either in reasonable quantities in hardcopy form or in the form of .pdf files which can be duplicated conveniently. Please ask if you would like to distribute DLV brochures.
What is most likely happening is that you inadvertently "agreed" to let the site in question access your local address book or contact list and send automated invites to those on your list.
Some sites are very clever and downright sneaky in getting you to "agree" to do this, often by providing a pre-checked and deceptively-worded "invite my friends" checkbox which is on a page with considerable other distracting text.
These can be stopped by adjusting your profile on the site in question to disallow the sending of automated invites to those in your contact lists.
Various sanity checks and abuse traps are used to prevent such things as comment spam, fraudulent ratings, machine-generated ratings and comments, etc. This may result in errors messages such as:
Should errors persist, please report the circumstances to tech@divalas.vegas giving date/time of the error and the type of browser you are using.
Most of these errors can be prevented by observing the following:
If you continue to have difficulty entering ratings and comments, please write to tech@divalas.vegas and explain the circumstances. If necessary, we will enter the ratings and comments for you manually.
It is now pitch dark! If you proceed you will likely fall into a pit!
Please report it to tech@divalas.vegas
Please include the complete URL you're referring to as well as details on what does not work as expected.
No!
Next question, please ...
There's really no "one size fits all" solution to these related issues.
The best course of action is to report it to tech@divalas.vegas and please explain the exact error message that you're getting. Screen shots will help greatly.
Some web content filtering services do regard our site as "adult" in nature and some firms do indeed block such content. Contact tech@divalas.vegas for possible work-arounds.
For our on-line forum, we do subscribe to several lists of known forum spammers and we block access from the networks known to be friendly to spammers. Again, contact tech@divalas.vegas to get the network you're coming from temporarily or permanently removed from the block lists.
Everyone who has registered for an upcoming DLV event or has attended DLV in
recent years now has their own Attendee Information Portal screen on the web.
This is a single screen which replaces multiple screens used in the past,
which allows convenient access to several important functions, including:
How do I volunteer to help out with Diva Las Vegas?
Simply send a brief e-mail to
dlvorg@divalas.vegas and state that you wish to volunteer to help out.
Please include a summary of the exact areas in which you would like
to help.
As you probably know, DLV operates entirely on volunteer help.
Our primary need is for volunteers to plan, coordinate, and assist
with the various activities which make up the DLV event as a whole.
Over 99% of the effort that goes into making DLV happen has to do
with the planning and implementation of activities.
Just as it is said that "Every Marine is a Rifleman" it
can be said that "Every DLV volunteer is an activity
coordinator."
There's very little set-up and tear-down associated with the Diva Las
Vegas event as a whole. Our model is quite different from that of other TG events
and as such, it makes these types of duties unnecessary.
You're welcome to volunteer your services if you wish. However we do
not have any funds to cover professional or semi-pro photography.
Since we have no registration fee, yes, it can be truthfully said that
all volunteers do get free registration! :)
Sorry, we do not have the means to reimburse volunteers for such
things as rooms and other expenses.
This is EXACTLY what we are looking for!
Please, write in and detail your proposal. Send an e-mail to
dlvorg@divalas.vegas
and let us know what you have in mind.
Again, this is EXACTLY what we are looking for!
Of course! We'll match you up with one or more of our veteran volunteers
who can use your assistance and will "show you the ropes" so
to speak.
Yes, most definitely. We'll find something for you which will require
no up-front public contact, or we'll match you with somebody who will
handle that part of your activity.
The DLV volunteers of voting status are those who make the decisions
which cannot be made by consensus.
The support positions which are not connected to any DLV activities do
not count toward voting status. These are duties such as the check-in
hosts/hostesses, coordinators of various "pet projects",
greeters, and formerly the volunteer drivers.
Yes, with some reservations and understandings.
We'll most likely want volunteers who have never attended before
to be matched up with veteran volunteers who can use their assistance.
However, we have on occasion had first-year volunteers act as the
primary coordinator of various activities. It all depends on the
circumstances.
The highest level of decision-making within Diva Las Vegas falls upon
the Diva Las Vegas Organizers' Group, often abbreviated DLVORG. DLVORG
is comprised of those who have stepped forward and volunteered to
coordinate and implement the various activities that make up the DLV
event as a whole. The DLVORG members who are of voting status are those
who are on record as coordinating or assisting with at least one DLV
activity during at least one of the previous two DLV events.
In other words, it's those who do the work who make the decisions.
That's the way it should be.
Certain administrative positions within DLVORG are recognized:
Project Manager is a rotational position. This
person or team oversees the planning of the next annual DLV event and chairs
the DLVORG group. Other positions
are elected by DLVORG upon their vacancy, and the duties should be
obvious from their titles.
An Administrative Committee, a subgroup of DLVORG, handles any
business which is not directly related to an activity. This consists
of the named administrative individuals above plus two at-large
elected members.
The "minutes" of DLVORG, actually the mailing list archives,
are open to the public. They are posted in plain sight on this web site.
If you look for them, you will find them. :)
The named administrative positions, elected seats on the Administrative
Committee, and various other positions are filled from the ranks
of volunteers of voting status. These will often be by election,
but appointments by consensus or acclamation are occasionally made.
What's your policy on photography?
The general rule is to be considerate of others and use courtesy and
common sense.
Detailed photo guidelines will be sent in the Final Attendee Information to
those who register.
Previous photo guidelines, subject to change, appear
HERE.
Please understand that in almost all cases we will respectfully decline
coverage, both from mainstream media and LGBT media. We are a private
event and many of our attendees wish to maintain a low profile, both
personally and in terms of the event as a whole.
It depends on a number of circumstances, but over the past several
years, the follow-up pages for the current year's event have been
placed on line in the fall of that year.
The photos from some activities may require an extra
step of clearance, so they may or may not appear at the same
time as the others are posted.
Look in the "Past Years" section on the main DLV page. If
the year of the latest event appears, the photos have been posted.
If not, they have not. We will not tease you with a link that leads
only to an "under
construction" page.
An announcement will be made in our next general mailing after the
current year's photos have been posted.
First the photos have to be gathered. Some come in almost immediately,
but others come in later, some by snailmail, and some in the form of
prints, which have to be scanned. This typically takes 2-3 months.
The number of photos received has averaged over 2000 for the past
few years. These are then reviewed, normalized for size, brightness,
contrast, etc., edited if necessary, and placed on line in a
temporary staging area.
Next we allow those who attended to review the photos and they may
request removal of any photos in which they appear. We always allow
at least two months for review and removal requests.
It's not until after the removal requests are in and processed that the
follow-up pages can be composed and placed on line.
Your understanding and patience are appreciated.
Read your e-mail. The instructions on how to preview and request
photo removal were sent to you. If you lost or misplaced this,
let us know and we will resend.
If you're sure you have not received this, write in and explain
the circumstances. If you were not marked as "present" on
our roster, you did not receive this.
Otherwise, look in your back e-mails. It's most likely there.
For photos in the current year's staging area, simply view the
photo full-size and click on the "REMOVE" button. The
photo will not immediately disappear, but will not be present
when the specific page contining the photo is regenerated, which
will usually be within 24 hours.
To do this easily from most modern computers, view the photo
in full size and copy-paste your browser's "location"
bar into an e-mail to us.
Descriptions such as "the third photo from the left on the
second row" are not adequate to process your request!
Likewise, requests such as "remove all photos of me"
are impossible to process. You must explicitly denote all photos
you wish to be removed.
If the photo contains multiple people, please indicate which
individual you are in each photo, as we may opt to crop you out,
if possible, instead of remove the photo entirely.
Anything! Including "I just don't like the way I look in that
photo" and related reasons.
Any reasonable number of photos in which your recognizable likeness appears.
Please note that unless there are extenuating circumstances, we
will not remove the official posed group photos, nor will we blur
faces or black out eyes.
For the current year's staging area, usually within 24 hours.
For existing follow-up pages, usually a few weeks.
Please expect your removal request to take considerably
longer if terms such as "lawsuit",
"lawyer", "legal action", "other action",
etc. appear in your removal request. :)
Please remind us. E-mail is not a perfect medium. Humans make
mistakes!
What does "BDR" stand for?
BDR stands for Behavior, Dress, and Restrooms, specifically a set of
guidelines and best practices for each of these topics, developed over
the years of DLV.
Our history has shown that when these guidelines are observed by all
attendees, the result is a smoother, more harmonious, and more enjoyable
event for all.
Consideration of others.
These aren't really rules. They are guidelines and best practices
and unfortunately some attendees exercise their option to ignore
them.
Those who choose to ignore the guidelines frequently find that they
get themselves and others in trouble!
Diva Las Vegas is far more mainstream-oriented than any other major
TG events.
All other major TG events occur under controlled conditions and
under those conditions the concerns about these three topics are
often unnecessary.
The same can usually be said for other activities in which you
might have participated, such as support group meetings, Pride
festivities, "Girls Night Out" activities, "alternative"
bars and clubs, benefit galas, Imperial Court functions, etc.
The general "rule" is to always consider others, dress and behave as
a lady or gentleman (whichever you prefer at the time) and use public restrooms
appropriately and discreetly. "Have fun, but don't have your fun at the
expense of others!"
A good "In A Nutshell" summary of our Behavior, Dress, and Restroom
Guidelines appears HERE and contains
links to more detailed information toward the end of the page.
Disclaimer: The author of this section is neither an attorney nor a sworn
law enforcement officer, but has consulted with a licensed attorney on this
particular topic. Said consultation was in-office, on the clock, and was
"legal advise" in the strict sense.
This persistent rumor is most likely based upon a parks regulation in Clark County
Code, section 19.04.040, which does indeed prohibit males over the age of 8 from
entering or loitering in the vicinity of women's restrooms in public parks.
That is entirely up to you!
We ask you to please consider others and use discretion.
Why?
Because an intolerant observer will not know what's on your ID and what's
between your legs. All a member of the general public will know is that a
a member of our group has just walked obviously and brazenly into a
public restroom! Such action is just as likely to generate a complaint
to management or security as any case of any of our attendees obviously
using a restroom.
Good for you!
You've most likely been observing good practice.
We're asking all who may be of advanced standing (post-op, fully-transitioned,
legally "F", decades of mainstream public experience, noted persons
in the TG community, etc.) to please help set the example by using restrooms
appropriately and encouraging others to do so.
In general, any behavior which shows inconsideration to our attendees, is
annoying to our attendees, or is out of the bounds of what is usual and
customary at social events is not allowed.
I'm gonna be in Las Vegas soon. Do you have any recommendations on what I can do and places I can go?
Yes, we have our
TG Guide to
Las Vegas which is made from the collective experience of DLV over
the many years. It gives general comments plus we have our
Big List of
recommended (and not so recommended) places, which includes customer ratings and comments.
As of this writing there are no regular "hangouts" for TGs.
Local and visiting TGs have been known to frequent several of the
places under the "Bars and Nightlife" section of our
Big List.
Any of the places showing a green light in the category "Bars and Nightlife"
on our Big List should welcome you either in boymode
or in girlmode.
This, and related topics, is discussed in our
TG Guide to Las Vegas
.
Almost all of these are mainly the "mating territory" of straight,
cisgender(ed) men and women who are under 40 years of age.
This topic is discussed in some depth in our
TG Guide to Las Vegas
.
Please see our Big List for suggestions, and please
pay attention to the stoplights, ratings, and comments on the firms you are
interested in visiting.
Don't be shy! Anything with the green light on the
Big List will welcome your patronage either in
girlmode or boymode. They've seen it all before, countless times!
Simply post a note in our
Diva Las Vegas Discussion Forum explaining when
you will be in town and what you are interested in doing. Please do this
well in advance of your visit. Be sure to
include your contact information.
Please be aware that postings of this type will be rejected if they even
hint of a desire for anything more than casual, congenial
companionship. (Yes, the Moderators know all of the code words.) :)
This topic is discussed briefly in our
TG Guide to Las Vegas and several in-depth
articles appear in our Dress Section.
The general rule of thumb is that your outfit should be age-appropriate
and size-appropriate for you, as well as occasion-appropriate for the time,
place, and circumstance of the activity at hand.
The topic of meeting potential partners, whether casual, long-term,
or professional, is out of scope of our web site. Sorry.
What is MyDLV?
MyDLV is a collection of on-line applications, available to DLV attendees and
prospective attendees, intended to facilitate a sense of community among our
attendees and friends.
Applications which are part of MyDLV include such things as the DLV Discussion
Forum (replaces the retired Hypermail forum interface), Personal photo gallery
(replaces the retired DLV People Gallery), "Chirping" (microblogging),
similar to Twitter, personal MyDLV Blogs, friend mechanism, etc.
It's easy! Surf here:
https://divalas.vegas/mydlv/
MyDLV is free for DLV attendees and prospective attendees.
Although quotas are built into the system, right now the policy is
"Use it, don't abuse it!"
They are all in there. The DLV Discussion Forum has over 9000 postings going
back to 2002. The mailing list archives are complete from the year 2000 up to
the current issue.
It's available, but we have not deployed it yet. If there's a demonstrated
demand for it, we can roll it out. Same goes for a number of other features.
Very little technical knowledge is necessary to set up and manage either a
MyDLV Blog or MyDLV Gallery. It's all point-and-click. If you get stuck,
we'll help you.
Who sponsors Diva Las Vegas?
Diva Las Vegas has no formal organization or sponsorship. It is simply a
group of individuals who agree to get together at more or less the same
place at more or less the same time to enjoy the same activities and
each other's company.
Not really. Pinkfest, which happens in Chicago each October, was started
by some of the same people who first envisioned DLV. It is, like DLV,
a vacation and not a convention, but there is no official affiliation.
With very rare exception, those who are TG are valued
customers at most establishments in Las Vegas that are open to the
public.
Our participants have gone shopping in local malls and shops, gaming
in various casinos, gone to various tourist attractions, attended
production shows, etc., with very few problems or incidents.
If you go looking for trouble, however, you are certain to find it,
as you will in any location under any set of circumstances.
As long as you dress and act as a lady or gentleman, use common sense,
and don't push things, you should have little or no difficulty in
Las Vegas.
All hotels, casinos, restaurants, shops, etc., provide reserved handicapped
parking. Most of the larger hotels will provide special rooms with wide doors,
handrails, etc. if requested.
Most of the major casinos will have wheelchair-accessible table and machine
games.
Since we're a vacation and not a convention, we won't have any exhibits
or vendor hall.
However, as far as "vendors" you can patronize, there will be
the entire Las Vegas business community!
Occasionally, merchants and vendors will invite our business and hold
"Open House" sessions for our attendees.
In addition, there may be merchants and service providers attending DLV
and offering their products and services for sale.
Most of the mainstream businesses in Las Vegas will welcome your business
in either mode. Some have explicitly invited DLV attendees to shop in
their facilities, and some offer promotions and discounts to our people.
Our Big List has merchants and vendors of
all types who will welcome your business.
It's normal to be concerned about this when getting together with any group
of people you do not already know. Please be assured that those who attend
Diva Las Vegas are very outgoing, very inclusive, and not in any way snobby
or cliquish. Most of the people attending were at one time in exactly this
situation themselves.
If you're new and don't know any of the others, our volunteers will be
happy to introduce you around to the others.
This refers to an amusing (but embarrassing at the time) incident
in which one young lady received a coming-out baptism-by-fire when
nature called. Nobody was hurt or hassled, and she will have a very
interesting story to tell to her grandchildren. No doubt this tale will
be recalled at this year's event. Everybody involved laughs about it
now!
Yeah, what about it? :)
You're welcome to attend, just as anybody else is. Please keep in mind we
are a vacation, not a convention. We won't have any seminars
or vendor hall, and we don't have any space for you to set up and
do your thing.
Before you make plans to attend as a vendor, please look very carefully
at this site and at this FAQ so you can be sure you know what you are
getting into.
You won't have as much of a captive audience as you will at the
traditional TG conventions, since we encourage our people to get out and
shop locally.
Also please be aware that Clark County has strict tax and permit requirements
for itinerant merchants. You (not us) will be responsible for seeking and
jumping through the necessary hoops in order to legally do business in
Clark County, Nevada. (One particular note is that DLV does not qualify
as a "convention" or "trade show" at which the tax
and permit requirements are waived for occasional sales.)
If you plan to be offering professional services such as makeovers,
hairstyling, electrolysis, nails/manicures, etc., please be aware that these
services are regulated by the State of Nevada, and you (not us) will be
responsible for researching the requirements and jumping through the
necessary hoops in order to legally practice your profession while attending
DLV.
Diva Las Vegas is highly dependent on the Internet, for information,
registration, etc.
You have two options:
Since you are either reading this on the web, or from a hardcopy that
somebody printed out, one of the above options should be within your
reach, if you are indeed serious about attending.
If you are shy about using your usual home or office e-mail account
for DLV, sign up for a free web-access e-mail account through such
a thing as Hotmail or Yahoo. It's easy, discreet, and free.
Sorry, we do not offer registration via postal mail or voice telephone.
Since no money changes hands for DLV registration, registering on the
web, either by yourself using public facilities or by using a go-between
will work fine.
For DLV 2021, which is happening in late October, expected highs are
in the low to mid 70s with lows in the low 50s.
We're not trying to scare anybody off, but there are a few things
gathered from over the years that you should make note of.
In what areas are you in need of help?
How about the "behind the scenes" work such as setting up, working sound and lights, etc.?
There may be, however, some set-up and clean-up work associated with
some of the activities, depending on exact circumstances. If this is
your area of interest, please volunteer to assist those who will be
coordinating those particular activities which need set-up and
clean-up help. Yes, things like this count toward voting status.
As for such things as sound and lights, there will sometimes be a small
number of activities at which self-produced performances will happen
and you're welcome to volunteer to
help out with these if this is your area of expertise.
What about photography? I work part time as a ... and I ...
Our events have always been well-covered by amateur photographers
from within our attendee base. Some of these are quite prolific
and quite talented.
Do volunteers get such things as free registration and free rooms?
Hey, I've got this dynamite idea about something I know the group would like to do!
But this idea is really far out, and it's never been done at any other
TG event ever.
I would really like to help, but I don't have a clue as to what to do. Can you still use me?
I'm quite shy of such things as cold-calling vendors. Can I still help?
What is "voting status" and how is this attained?
A volunteer who is on record as coordinating or assisting with at
least one DLV activity during the past two annual DLV events is
of voting status.
Most Big Sister volunteers also qualify for voting status.
Are there any volunteer duties which do not count toward voting status?
However, most of those involved in these non-qualifying positions are
also involved in one or more activities as well, so most of them do
qualify by virtue of those activities.
Am I allowed to volunteer if I haven't attended DLV yet?
Who, exactly, is in charge of Diva Las Vegas? Who really calls the shots?
How are the various leadership positions within DLV filled?
Beginning in 2016 a "Vote Of Confidence" is held annually among the
volunteers on all individuals who hold named leadership positions.
Category 12: Photos
I'm a reporter/photographer/writer/whatever and want to cover your event. What do I need to do?
If your publication is sexually oriented, we ask that you please not cover
our event.
If you're interested please write a brief e-mail to DLV
(dlv@divalas.vegas) and identify
yourself and your publication(s), request a copy of our Media Guidelines, and explain what
you want to write or publish.
Any coverage, if permitted, must be discreet and not distract from the
climate of the event. We will insist on a signed standard release for
any recognizable likenesses that are to be published.
We do not issue press passes, nor do we waive registration
and Conditions Of Participation requirements for media representatives.
Please understand that reporters, photographers, writers, etc. who
show up unannounced will be turned away. Your understanding and
cooperation are appreciated.
When will the photos of the latest event be posted?
How can I tell if the photos of the latest event are on line?
Why does this take so long?
I attended the last DLV. How can I preview the photos?
How do I request a particular photo to be removed?
For the photos in previous years' areas, please
send us an e-mail with the COMPLETE EXACT URL
OF THE PHOTO YOU WISH TO BE REMOVED.
What are the valid reasons for requesting a photo to be removed?
How many photos can I request to be removed?
How long does it take to process a removal request?
I requested removal and the photos are still there!
Category 13: Behavior, Dress, Restrooms
What is the basis of the BDR guidelines?
Why do you have so many rules?
Why is this necessary? None of the other TG events have this!
What exactly are these rules, guidelines, or whatever it is that you call them?
What is the legal status regarding public restrooms in the Las Vegas area?
Nevada Senate Bill 311, signed into law in May, 2011, prohibits
discrimination in public accommodations on the basis of gender
identity or expression. As of June, 2021, no authoritative legal
opinions have been heard regarding the effects of this law on the
use of public gendered restrooms. This law took effect October 1, 2011.
Some members of the LGBT community consider the above law to be a
"Free Pass" to use the gender-designated facility of choice.
Some property managers, however, believe that if they offer some
facilities, any facilities, available to all, they are within the
letter of the law.
In the past,
a rather extensive search of the Nevada Revised Statutes, Clark County
Code, and Las Vegas Municipal Code revealed no general prohibitions
regarding the use of gendered restrooms in most public and private
facilities in the Las Vegas area. One attendee's conversation with a
Las Vegas Metro Police officer confirmed this.
The conclusion of the legal opinion was along the line of the use of any
property, including a restroom, is "at will" of the
management and they can, legally, restrict one's usage of such as long
as they do not violate applicable statutes or regulations in the process.
Then what's the story on this "Awful Restroom Law" which I keep hearing about?
So, what does all of this mean? Which restroom should I use?
There are really no "one size fits all" answers, but we can offer some
advise, guidelines, and best practices from the experiences of our hundreds
of attendees over 20+ years of our event. If you're willing to observe our
guidelines, there should be very little difficulty. If you're not, there
is (still) a chance of a very ugly incident involving you and
others!
If you choose to use public restrooms, remember to use them individually,
discreetly, and appropriately.
What if I'm fully-transitioned and have that coveted "F" on my ID? What if I'm a GG?
But I've been using public restrooms for decades and never had any issues!
What are some examples of good practice regarding restroom use?
What are some examples of poor restroom practice?
What behaviors, specifically, are not allowed at DLV activities?
Such items include, but are not necessarily limited to:
Category 14: Visiting Las Vegas
Are there any regular gathering places for TGs in Las Vegas?
I'm looking for a safe place where I can hang out and just be myself for a while.
What about the big Las Vegas casinos? Are these safe to go out to?
How about those trendy nightclubs? Are TGs welcome at these?
I'm in need of a makeover, a wig, lingerie, shoes, clothing. Where can I go?
I'm wondering if there's going to be anyone else in town when I am and if they might want to get together and do the town?
How should I dress when I go out in Las Vegas?
Uh, what if I'm interested in finding somebody and, well, you know, "hooking up"?
Category 15: MyDLV
What's available to me with MyDLV?
How do I join MyDLV?
How much does it cost to join MyDLV?
How much space do I get for my photo gallery and blog postings?
So what happened to all of the archived forum postings and back issues of the mailing list?
What about such things as real-time chat?
I'm a total klutz with computers! Can I still set up a blog or gallery?
Category 16: Misc
Is Diva Las Vegas affiliated with any other TG events?
Is Las Vegas really that "TG-friendly" and safe?
What about handicapped facilities?
Will there be any vendors there? Are there any shops in the area that cater to TG people?
I don't know anybody else who's going. I feel a bit uneasy, kind of like I'm not going to be part of the "club"
What's this I keep hearing, something about a 7-11?
And what about Galiano {sic} ?
I'm a vendor, can I come and try to sell my stuff to your people?
I don't have Internet access and I am serious about attending. What are my options?
I'm curious about how the weather will be in Las Vegas during DLV.
For our usual spring events ...
It varies quite a bit. Usually dry, highs in the 80's, lows in 60's,
sometimes even high 50's. It can be over 100, though.
It does not rain that often, but when it does, it POURS!
For our fall events, again it varies, but highs in the 70s and lows in
the high 50s to low 60s can be expected.
Nights may be cool, but are very seldom cold. Sweater weather, not
overcoat weather. :)
In most cases, you will probably not need a jacket or sweater except on
the casino floor. :)
Bringing a small umbrella is recommended just in case.
What warnings, cautions, and suggestions do you have?
Please be VERY careful if you're tempted to use any of the
various "adult" services such as escort agencies, outcall
entertainers, etc. These businesses advertise heavily, but often operate
outside of or just within the law and are poorly regulated. Incidents of
assault and attempted robbery have occured when dealing with these people.
Do not open your hotel room door unless you are absolutely sure
who it is. Do not even crack it, even if there is a security chain. If
you are not expecting anybody, did not phone room service, houskeeping,
maintenance, etc., do not open the door, but phone your hotel's security
department.
If you're thinking of coming to DLV with the intention of picking up
some extra spending money by engaging in blatantly illegal activities
such as dealing drugs or practicing the world's oldest profession, STAY
AWAY! Those activities are not welcome at DLV. That's not what DLV is
all about. Never has been, never will be.
If you come to DLV with the expectation that you (or your group) will be
the center of attention, you will be disappointed. No person or group,
even the organizers and long-timers, acts in this role.
DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE! Sobriety checkpoints occur occasionally on weekend
nights.
Avoid appearing in mainstream public settings in any manner of dress
that might be too attention-getting or provocative.
Don't overdress! Casual is the norm for daytime wear in Las Vegas, and is common
in the evening as well. Dress to blend into the crowd. Save that glitzy
evening gown for the night we go to the showroom.