hotels (again)

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This posting is from: shannon evans
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Hi everyone, I'm just getting my april dates coordinated and am about
to finally make my hotel reservations, but I have one more question:

Would caesar's or the mirage (even though there was a restroom
incident there), be good places to stay for dlv attendees? I know
that they are a bit more upscale than the flamingo, and will cost
more, but I'm wondering if they are safer (better elevator security,
etc.)

I know that there are cameras in most hotel hallways, but I'm
kinda nervous about heading up the elevator and back to my room alone
late at night while wearing a nice dress & heels. (no micro mini's or
4" stilettos).

thanks for your help & I think I owe a few girls a drink at dlv.

warm regards,
shannon

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This posting is from: Mary Beth
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Shannon:

Personal security is always a matter of being aware of your surroundings.

While I can't personally vouch for other hotels, I've stayed three
times at the Sahara and once at the Imperial Palace and have not
had any problems. A higher room price does not necessarily
guarantee greater security (unless you are staying in a real
fleabag motel), so as long as you are alert you really shouldn't
have any problems.

A lot of the tourist trade in Vegas expects to see something
out of the ordinary and I've always found most of them to be
quite good natured and pleasant. Overall, I find the Strip to
be quite safe as there is undercover security everywhere due to
the massive amounts of money moving about. I find the best thing
to do is to walk with my head held high, smile, and make eye
contact with people I might be sharing a corridor or elevator with.
Making eye contact is your best defense as it let's them know that
you know who they are.

Mary Beth

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This posting is from: Tootsye
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Mary Beth,

I guess I am just crazy, but I cannot help myself. I just have to visit
with people.

I totally agree with you. When in like for a show, or buffet, or
elevator or whatever, I just have to talk. I usually smile, and ask,
"Hey" are ya'll haveing a good time in Las Vegas?" I almost always get a
smile in return and a positive answer! Doesn't everyone have a good time
in LV? I suppose that they think I am some kind of nutcase or perhaps
from the enterainment bureau? Anyway, it almost always starts a
conversation when I ask the where they are from, is it their first time,
or whatever. First thing you know we have a conersation with several
people going on! Lots of fun!

People are in LV to have a good time that is different from Omaha
Nebraska, or Cleveland, Ohio. Why not give them a little help? <g>

I can only say, I have never had a bad experience doing that. I did
perhaps avoid one, when I was invited to join the nurses convention at
the Hilton, but I did decline! <g>

Tootsye

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This posting is from: annie
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>Would caesar's or the mirage (even though there was a restroom
>incident there), be good places to stay for dlv attendees? I know

I wouldn't be too concerned about the restroom incident. Let's
just say that from the report I heard, the DLVers involved did
not use their best judgement. Mirage is generally regarded as
being TG-friendly.

>I know that there are cameras in most hotel hallways, but I'm
>kinda nervous about heading up the elevator and back to my room alone

If you're concerned for safety, both of those places are about
as safe as you can get.

If you're concerned about public exposure, you're better off in
a place which offers "garden" rooms (IP, Palace Station, etc.)
where you don't have to transit a casino or hotel lobby to get
to your room.

I do know at the Mirage they do (did, anyway) check room keys
in the elevator lobby at night. This can be a good thing if you're
concerned about safety, or a bad thing if you're a bit shy in
public.

I don't know if they do it at Caesars or not.

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This posting is from: Joan
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Has any girls ever been seriously harrassed or beat up because they
were cross dressed?

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This posting is from: annie
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>Has any girls ever been seriously harrassed or beat up because they
>were cross dressed?

I'm assuming you ask this in the context of DLV. There are countless
cases of beatings and worse on record. :(

The only serious crime against person which occurred during DLV was
many years ago when one of our people made the mistake of phoning
one of those "escort services" which advertise all over the place.
There was a dispute of some kind, and one of our people had her
hotel room door kicked in, worked over, and robbed. This really
didn't have anything to do with the manner of dress.

There have been several isolated cases of snide remarks and
such, but nothing serious which was directly related to dress.

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This posting is from: Mary Beth
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Tootsye:

Personal safety trainers will tell you that the best way to
become a victim is to act like a victim. If you walk with your
head down and hunched over, chances are someone will decide to
pick on you.

Always project strength.

mb

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This posting is from: shannon evans
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Thank you ladies for your advice; it really helped me feel more
comfortable about my hotel stay. Hope to see you all at dlv!

Shannon

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This posting is from: Denise McCracken
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>Has any girls ever been seriously harassed or beat up because they
>were cross dressed?

Not within DLV, that I know of. No one has said an unkind word to
me, except in fun (some kids read the sign on our lunch table and
asked if it meant Divas of Las Vegas). Close! We were laughing
about it. A sense of humor can go a long way.

I recommend small groups of three or so in good neighborhoods;
otherwise, just stay with the group, and only one at a time in
the restroom.

Stay out of sleazy bars. Seriously harassed? I don't know what
that means, but do not attack anyone, regardless of what they
say about you. We're grown-ups. We can handle words. If you
get attacked, meet force with an equal level of force only.
Despite the fact that you're in Vegas, don't drink too much if
you can't handle it, and don't stagger around outside.

When you're with a group, keep looking around and make sure that
they haven't walked out one or two at a time and left you alone.
This actually happens.

A law enforcement person made an excellent post about getting
arrested. Ansi, do you have it?

-densie

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This posting is from: Denise McCracken
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Tony and I were going down the elevator at the Sahara. I was
dressed as a nun and holding a bottle of Galiano (sic). There
were three men in the elevator who looked at each other, and one
of them said, "What do you say to that?" :)

BTW, I'm the one who wanted to do a funeral procession through the
drive-up window at a fast-food joint.

-denise

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