I am glad everyone had fun

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Bobbi
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Hi everyone I am so glad to see all of you had such a great time. I
would have love to make it but I am still quite wary of being in public.

But in reading your posts it makes me sorry I didn't. But anyway another
reason I am writting now is maybe I can get some answers. All of you
seem so comfortable being dressed and out but at same time now that it
is over I see posts about doing hair differently or make up or clothes
etc.. If I can get any kind of information on this maybe I could relax
and get out in public.

Have wanted to do Las Vegas for the last two years but chickened out and
pink fest is almost in my back yard and I still didn't make it. Then you
all come from all over on planes.

What about your luggage etc. Do you come dressed or in drab? What about
clothes in luggage, breast forms is this a problem? Sorry so many
questions but these are things I wonder about. I hope one or all of you
has suggestions.

Thanks

bobbi

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(This posting was entered by Bobbi, an external user of MyDLV.)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: James Knapp
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Hi, I was not there either, am only 3 hrs. driving. I feel like the same
as you. I have been out in public a little, but dont like driving in the
windy city of Chiago. Like some feedback too!! Thanks and take care!

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(This posting was entered by James Knapp, an external user of MyDLV.)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Ginger
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When I started going out it was only to gay clubs late at night. Then I
attended a conference in a hotel and remember well the first time I went
outside the hotel to a restaurant and stopped to buy gas with pay at the
pump. Small steps bring confidence. Now I don't mind driving from
Knoxville to Atlanta and stopping to pee at some truck stop or
convenience store gas station along the way. Given the red-neck factor
prevalent in this part of the country that is probably more difficult to
do than negotiating homeland security and flying to Chicago.

The main thing is learning to have the makeup, hair, dress, deportment
and behavior of a typical woman your age doing what you are doing.
Regardless when you fly make sure your government ID matches the name on
your boarding pass even if it is a male name. The homeland security
people are not there to judge so it's going to be OK with them. They are
also discreet and won't announce your status to others even if they
encounter a problem with your luggage over something you have forgotten
like a pair of grooming scissors or something.

I'm too cheap to check luggage so I have learning to travel light and
carry everything on board. Again be sure to follow the rules, liquids in
a clear one quart zip lock baggie, laptop out if you have a laptop, and
don't forget to take off any significant metal objects and your shoes
before you go through the body scanner or metal detector.

When I arrive at the security checkpoint I'm going to be wearing women's
clothing since I a woman for the trip and I won't have any male clothing
with me, but if I did that will be my business, not theirs, and they
will be OK with it. As for women's clothing, coming home yesterday I
wore a knit tunic top, tight black jeans, and flats. Women my age don't
usually wear dresses, skirts, and high heel shoes and I'd stand out if I
did. The task is to blend in.

Mostly what we fear is fear itself. However, I do think it's important
to get it right in one's presentation and push your boundaries slowly to
find your limits. I don't necessarily try to pass, but I do try to look
nice enough so that I am accepted and it seems to work really well.

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(This posting was entered by Ginger, an external user of MyDLV.)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Laura Wright
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I know Annie, Ginger, Valerie, and others did not have a car at all. A
lot of time we took mass transit together or just walked. Valerie took
the train from St Louis. You really don't need a car in Chicago. You
would have a better time without one unless you are local or used to
driving in big cities... Much cheaper on parking alone to take the L
train or the bus.

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(This posting was entered by Laura Wright, an external user of MyDLV.)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Laura Wright
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I agree with Ginger. Small steps help.

Folks who have attended Pinkfest represent the full range of the
T-community. Some are fulltime, some are married, some rarely go out.

You can always attend in drab with your spouse if that would make you
more comfortable.

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(This posting was entered by Laura Wright, an external user of MyDLV.)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Laura Wright
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Here is a thought... Would anyone be interested in a "first timers
reception" in a private safe location in the future?

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(This posting was entered by Laura Wright, an external user of MyDLV.)

[annie]

> I know Annie, Ginger, Valerie, and others did not have a car at all.

I've found that I enjoy Pinkfest (and DLV, actually) much better without a vehicle.

At the first Pinkfest I had a rental car. I and some of the others stayed out by O'Hare and that was our transportation to the city. Yeah, parking was a pain, at times. I was unable to enjoy as many adult beverages as I would have liked.

The next year I drove to Chicago. I stayed at the Best Western River North which has free parking. (Free: You pay for it whether or not you use it.) The car stayed in the lot at the hotel most of the time. I did use it to pick up one of the others at Midway, and the two of us took a trip up to Gurnee to check out the outlet mall. The car was handy for that but it was not otherwise necessary.

Ever since then I've just used public transit, bummed a ride here and there, and taken the occasional taxi ride.