CD Friendly Cities

[Veroni]

Hi Everyone! :)

It is of the utmost importance to me to express and enjoy my femme self more often and to a greater extent. I live in a horribly repressive place and I recognize, (have known for some time), that I must get out of here to fully live as a tv/cd or for that matter, as a happy person in general.

I've been involved in a research project to identify which places are most compatible to my cd lifestyle. I've done all the research I can on the internet and through books. While I have narrowed my choices a great deal, I have much still to do. In order to make a final choice I know I'll have to visit my finalists. I just don't have the resources to visit very many of them.

I'm hoping you may be able to guide me a little in this regard. My criteria, as it pertains to my cd lifestyle are as follows:

* Warm climate as I like to wear skimpy clothes when I dress and like to dress year-round.

* Live and let live attitude among the resident public.

* Minimum of hassles from authorities.

* Lots of places to go and things to do en femme, other than gay venues, (I've found that gays often don't like cds. In fact, many of the rude comments I've experienced have been from gays), even if one has not developed her dressing skills to the point of being entirely passable....yet. :(

* Clubs, supports groups, etc.

* Ideally, there would be a significant cd population.

* Social opportunities, like lots of cd admirers, i.e., a demand for cds/tvs to date.

Reading related posts here, I see that cities are generally best and this is in sync with the results of my research. To complicate things a bit, I have found that there are problems everywhere.

For example, Yes, everyone agrees that Seattle is a great place for cds but the cost of living is high, same for San Francisco. It is my understanding that to find a place to live in San Francisco, you pretty much need to get a room in an apartment with several other people. There would be little privacy and what are the odds that my 4-6 roommates would all be cool with my cd lifestyle. Odds are greater in SF, I know but still...

I understand that the people and cops are cool and the cost of living is relatively low in New Orleans but that the tourists can occassionally be hard on t-girls and crime is a concern there.

I'm short on time today but hopefully you get the idea of what I'm seeking. So, I'm hoping to hear from any and all regarding your experiences and opinions as to which U.S. cities are most cd friendly.

Thank you for anything you can tell me.

Smiles and Hugs,
Veronica

[Julie]

WOW! If you find a place that fits all your criteria, let me know. I'm moving!

My guess is you'll have to make some concessions. Chicago is a good place for TGs but you will find yourself integrating with the gay and lesbian groups. I've had only one negative from a gay man and all that happened was he walked out of the bar when I spoke to him. The other guys there (all gay) asked me, "What's his problem?" Someone speculated maybe he wasn't gay. +? Other than that it's been a very positive experience for me and everyone who knows me knows I'm straight and they still treat me very well.

There's a gay neighborhood in Chicago that receives TGs openly, straight or gay, doesn't matter. Sure, you'll run into the occasional jerk but from my experience, they are a rarity.

But if you ever find that place. I'm interested!

[obsessedwithpantyhose]

YOOHOOO Phoenix is a great place for the cd/tg crowd as i have been here 3 yrs and not had any problems even wearing a skirt to walmart on a saturday afternoon :D ,,, also we have 30 bars for the gay/bi/les/cd/tg/tv/ts crowd and the gays hang at the same bars as the "Girls" to watch the drag shows :D

i hear LAS VEGAS is also a friedly place for us :D

it COSTS A FORTUNE to live in calif so i would think twice b4 movin there

[Ophelia D'Void]

Hmm, I may be biased, but I think if you're looking for a place like that, I suggest California.

West Hollywood and San Francisco is well known for their gay communities, and areas like Santa Monica have a strong gay and TG presence (although for some reason CD's are still fairly shy, even out here... not the drag queens though). West Hollywood fills all your criteria Veronica:

1. If anything it's too warm out here. Hit up a club the other night, and it was in the 80 degree range up until midnight. Never gets cold enough to have to wear a parka, unless you want to see some snow up in the mountains. Plus West Hollywood is close enough to the beach that you can practically throw a rock and hit the pier.

2. People in West Hollywood are used to a heavy gay presence, and if you don't mind a little cattiness ("oh my God, I can believe she's wearing those shoes with that skirt") it's the way to go.

3. Probably in that area the main thing you'll run into the cops about is speeding or parking tickets (did I mention everyone here drives? So parking's a bitch).

4. Lots of clubs to go to: There's a couple of companies out here, I think a couple of make-over ones in Studio City (5-10 miles from the center of LA), and in the same area there's a company called Lydia's (I think the website is www.lydiastv.com) that will actually do the whole nine yards for you if you are a tourist and want a CD experience... they sell everything, are will give you a make-over, then will give you a guided tour of all the CD friendly venues. Alot of times when people come here to club, they just want to go dancing (or pick up) and if you're not their type, they'll just look to the hot girl/guy next to you.

5. There's the Alpha Chapter of Tri-Ess out here for you conservative CD types, and then there's a few other ones that I'd heard of (but haven't checked out personally). I think there's an organization called the "Powder Puffs" of Orange County (about 25 miles from LA), and a few other ones.

6. There's more than a fair share of CD's out here, and I've even got some of my straight (non-CD) friends to dress with me when I go out sometimes.

I guess the down side is a high cost of living, and real estate prices have gone through the roof recently, oh, and gas prices are high, traffic's a bitch, and so's parking. But hey, no place is perfect.

O

[Deidra Cowen]

Atlanta!

Its a great city to be a CD in. We have lots of Tgirls here. Last night I was at a nightclub with 15 other girls. We do social stuff all the time.

We have the warm climate (perhaps too warm!!!) and the cost of living is nothing compared to NY, LA or SF.

Best place to live would be the midtown section of the city. Very diverse population with gays, minorites and yuppies. Tons of nightclubs, shopping etc.

You owe yourself a trip here to check it out...perhaps if you are coming to SCC in september you would get an idea about things here.

If you visit send me a message and I could clue you in on things while you are here.

Deidra

[Maude]

[QUOTE=Julie Marie]WOW! If you find a place that fits all your criteria, let me know. I'm moving!

ok when are you arriving in daytona ?
it does not meet ANY of the criteria but i have a spare upstairs !

[Bernadina]

Vancouver Canada might be good too. Very CD and other LGBT friendly.

The only problems is that it is in Canada and as I'm sure you are already aware, its cold up here and we have to live in igloos.

[Lauren_T]

I used to travel extensively in the course of my work, and I've always been involved with social and cultural anthropology, so I've spent a lot of time studying places and the people who make those places what they are...

I've noticed some general correlations between the presence of CDs and other sociocultural phenomena:

A greater number of (visible) CDs in the gen pop seems to correlate with:
Lower violent crime rate
Higher disposible household income
Higher standard of living
Higher educational level
Longer life expectancy / general better health
Lower degree of participation in organized religion
Government leaning more toward liberals/Dems

of course these things usually come as a package anyway :p

and usually also includes:
Higher taxes
Higher pop density
Higher degree of use and/or abuse of alcohol and controlled substances
Higher cost of living, generally

None of that should be surprising.

I've personally observed that CDing appears to be more acceptable (or at least not made an issue of) in SF (of course) and the Hollywood vicinity, Boston, DC (my hometown :thumbsup: ), and S. Florida (Miami and possibly even moreso in Ft. Lauderdale). But I am (again, my personal observation / opinion) most impressed by two areas where we seem to have the greatest social acceptibility; England and the Puget Sound (Seattle) / Vancouver BC area.

That these are also two of the loveliest locales on our planet is probably not a coincidence. The igloos are nice too. :p

On the other hand, maybe I'm all wet, laughably wrong and talking out my derierre. Who knows?





____________________________________
Ed Wood: 'Mr. Weiss, I'm going to tell you something I've never told anyone. (...) I like to dress in women's clothes.'
(pause)
George Weiss: 'You a fruit?'
EW: 'No, I'm all man. I even fought in the last war.'
(longer pause)
GW: 'So you're not a fruit?'
- Tim Burton's Ed Wood

[umbrellagirl GG]

Hi Veronica - I saw that your initial post already mentions Seattle and SF. As a long term Seattle resident who also has lived in SF for 3 years recently, I think the rents are still notably cheaper here in Seattle than in SF. In fact they seem to have stabilized a bit over the past few years. I would pick Seattle over SF but then I have quite a bias. Although you mention that you want to wear skimpy clothes and SF is noticibly warmer than Seattle.

One thing odd to think about: When I lived in SF I noticed that that city was way windier than Seattle. I have no idea why. But to me that makes a huge difference - I hate getting my hair messed up, if you're wearing a skirt you have to pay attention to the wind. I'm not a wind fan at all - another vote for Seattle in my book.

Edit: Don't forget there's no state income tax in Washington! :D

Melody

[Jenny Beth]

I'm putting an addition on my igloo but I have to wait for winter.
Sorry for the highjack!

[Melissa A.]

Sounds to me, if you want to meet ALL your criteria, including weather, it should be L.A. or Atlanta. Just remember, especially if you need to wear foundation to pass, that extreme heat(and humidity, especially) is not kind to makeup!


Growing up and living in the Northeast, I know that there are very tg friendly areas in NYC, Boston, and Providence, R.I. Unfortunately, in all those cities, you still run the risk of getting the crap beat out of you, or worse, just for being a crossdresser.

Hugs,

Melissa :)

[Tristen Cox]

I've personally observed that CDing appears to be more acceptable (or at least not made an issue of) in S. Florida (Miami and possibly even moreso in Ft. Lauderdale)


I wish :(

[Lauren_T]

Tristen, Tristen.

The Copa has been there since I was a lad, and if you live north of the river, I've been told that the Whale & Porpoise is a friendly place. First place I'm gonna visit, next I return to Ft L.

I'm not a club person, in fact I'm a loner, truth be told, but I'm enthusiastically awaiting the chance to go some places where I will be neither laughed at nor harassed, even if it's just to have a couple amaretto sours by my lonesome...

If you feel oppressed-like in Broward, drive up to Melbourne / Cocoa some weekend. That entire area is very low-key, laid-back and nonjudgmental about the whole gay/TG/CD thingie.

Thank your lucky stars, dear, that you live in one of the highest GLBT densities in the East. Some of the gels, me included, live in places where there aren't enough of us to be visible and the str8 and gay communities both are strongly anti-fem!

Count your blessings, Tristen! You're young, pretty and living in tropic splendor! Indeed, I think a boot up the bum wouldn't be out of order. :D






____________________________________
Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live,
it is asking others to live as one wishes to live.
- Oscar Wilde

[Tristen Cox]

Copa's been closed, was a gay club anyway. Whale & Porpoise is way out of class for normal everyday poor people. San Fran was nice though, maybe I'll get back there someday.

[Lauren_T]

When I was a lad (don't ya hate when old farts start with "When I..."??), the Copa was a gay club, but everyone was welcome. And nothing has opened to take its place?

I've been out of touch, but 'way out of class?' I'm pretty damn poor myself, but although I can't afford upscale retaurants, I've never been to a bar / lounge / club where I can't handle two or three drinkies and tip.

And upscale on E. OPB? The mind reels! I mean, there's always been some nice places around, but it's not exactly Palm Beach... Maybe I HAVE been away too long!

My informant tells me there's a solidly middle-class cd-friendly (gay?) club somewhere in Wilton Manors.

[Ophelia D'Void]

It's interesting that they chose Florida as the background locale for "The Birdcage" with Robin Williams and Gene Hackman, what with the big gay community in Miami. From what I've found in my experience, there aren't any "CD only" locales. Usually communities that are ok with CD's or even embrace CD's are gay communities. I find that when I visit the west side clubs, I never get hit on, and if anything just get compliments on style. As long as you avoid the gay singles clubs, and just go to where people expect to dance and have a good time, it should be all good. Honestly, I don't think it depends on where you live, unless you're looking for an especially large open CD contingent or a specific climate. There are gay people everywhere, even in the deepest bayous and Appalachian outbacks. If anything, you might actually find more of a connection with people in a smaller, more isolated community than in a large community, at least at first.

O

[celeste26]

I also vote for the Northwest. The ocean keeps the weather from turning icy more than a very few times per year and there is plenty of action. If not Seattle, then Portland, a smaller and slightly less pricey southern neighbor. They also have a convention nearby called Esprit Gala every spring for a whole weeks worth of dressing. The Emerald city awaits.

[windycissy]

Chicago meets all your criteria except one, of course: our weather! Today you would have that warmth you love, but the winter is awful. I actually like putting on tights and a wool skirt and sweater, right about now that sounds pretty cool :D but if it's constant warmth you seek, Chicago is not for you. Too bad....

[MichelleGray502]

Vancouver Canada might be good too. Very CD and other LGBT friendly.

The only problems is that it is in Canada and as I'm sure you are already aware, its cold up here and we have to live in igloos.


Vancouver is one of the best gay, lesbian , crossdresing cities in canada in my opion been there many times over the years and never had any problems walking down the street dressed fem. But here in calgary,alberta where it is very anti gay/lesbain, crossdressing etc and no where to go at all and also very cold in th' winter temps getting to lows of -25c to -32c. at th ' best of times but not always makes it very cold and diffcult to wear skirts and dresses in those temps.

[Veroni]

:) Thanks so much for all the great info! You girls are the greatest!

As many of you said, it would be almost impossible to find everything I'm looking for in one location. I probably should have mentioned that I know I'll have to sacrifice something to actually land in the right place.
But I've learned that the higher you aim, the closer you'll come to getting what you want.

I've been working on this project for some time but I know that there will always be things I've missed, even on those areas I've studied most. Much of the info you've provided matches the impressions I've gotten elsewhere. However, in my estimation, you are the final authorities; the only ones to really know what it is like to be TG in a mostly non-friendly world. So, your opinions and experiences hold much more weight than dry statistics, studies, and etc. The sheer number of responses I've gotten here help to eliminate the biases I've encountered in asking only a few people from each town.

Your replies were so interesting! I wanted to respond to each of you individually but can't realistically do that, so I'll mostly limit my observations to the subjects discussed. Just wanted you all to know of my heartfelt gratitude.

I didn't mean to make it sound as if I thought all gays were hostile towards CDs; quite the contrary, many of them are friendly and helpful. Yes, I do realize that gay areas are also going to be the best for CDs as well. Time is not adequate to tell you of all my experiences now but I've observed that things seem to go better when one is not confined to a limited number of places to go within a city, gay or otherwise.

Phoenix was mentioned favorably and I like Phoenix. I've been there on business, not to cd. Maybe I should give it another look. I'd originally eliminated it from my list of finalists because it appeared there were other places which matched my criteria more closely. Same for Vegas.

I did look very closely at LA, particularly the West Hollywood/Silverlake area. In fact, it is currently one of my finalists. Just haven't figured out how to handle the cost of living. Other than that, it sounds wonderful! SF/LA is my "perfect world" choice; meaning if we lived in a perfect world where cost of living was not a big factor, I'd be there in a heartbeat!

San Francisco is also at the top of my list but with that same cost of living problem. SF has the added benefit of not needing a car there. I've gotten favorable impressions of San Jose and Santa Cruz for the clubs/makeover places/support groups/shopping places for CDs.

Atlanta is a place I'd frankly overlooked but have been forced to reconsider by the sheer number of positive posts in this thread and others on related subjects. Here again, I guess that main thing that kept it off my list of finalists is that there were others which seemed to match my criteria more closely. I've heard that humidity can be good for your skin, especially in coastal areas but had not thought about the fact that it would be bad for make-up. :p


I would be remiss in not mentioning that there are, of course, many other criteria I'm using to evaluate these places, which are not directily related to cding. For these other considerations and my cd criteria, Florida has scored very high among my candidates and I've even identified some areas where the cost of living is low for the quality of living. At this point, in terms of practicality, I'd have to say I'm closer to choosing Florida than any other place. Just can't figure out how to visit all the great places I'm considering there. I heard good and bad about Ft Lauderdale. Some say the cops are cool, others say they are very oppressive. The Melbourne area is also one I've considered strongly. Of course, Miami looks good too.

Lauren T, your social and anthropological studies are of particular interest to me. I'm a strange mix of creative and analytical. I love poring over the kind of info you've provided but alas, too much analyzing and I'll never actually DO anything. :rolleyes: I'm aware of a few places which seem to defy a few of the findings in your study but then again, I suppose, as they say, it is the exceptions which prove the rule.

Now re: the Pacific Northwest, I love the natural beauty and the more liberal politics. Surprisingly the weather, at least near the coast, is milder than many of the other places we tend to think of as mild. I love cloudy weather and rain is good too. The cost of living is probably the biggest drawback, particularly in Seattle. Seattle here again, looked good to me but did not make the final list. Maybe I should reconsider on this count as well.

I've heard good things about places in the Northeast, particularly Providence, Rhode Island. I just don't know if I could adjust to the cold weather and again, it doesn't match my total criteria as well as some other places. As for having the crap beat out of you, well I guess that could happen just about anywhere. More thoughts on that later but I guess it finally came down to some hard lessons I've learned to the effect that how you live is more important than how you die....cause ya know, when you're dead, it's over. No, I don't want to suffer either but we all really take so many risks each day just getting up and going about our lives.

I've also considered the fact that as Ophelia D'Void said, (paraphrasing here), happiness is where you find it. Wish I had time to go into specifics but my tastes in adventure might be not be the same as someone else's. Hint: I can be an adrenaline junkie at times but don't like living like a refuge. ;)

Tristen, it's great to see you feeling better! My heart goes out to you. I share your loneliness. One thing I've found is that things do change and if we are open to new experiences and don't let ourselves become afraid of taking risks, there is always a chance they will change for the better. I'm currently borrowing a computer and don't have the opportunity to visit here as often as I'd like but if you ever feel like talking, I'm here for you.

Gotta close for now....still looking for that Little Black Dress to wear in a cool new place!

Big Smiles and Hugs,

Veronica

[JenniRose]

By all means, if you find your location let me know!

I promise that I won't tell any of our sisters, since I'm sure the size of our group would be limited!

JenniRose

[umbrellagirl GG]

Now re: the Pacific Northwest, I love the natural beauty and the more liberal politics. Surprisingly the weather, at least near the coast, is milder than many of the other places we tend to think of as mild. I love cloudy weather and rain is good too. The cost of living is probably the biggest drawback, particularly in Seattle. Seattle here again, looked good to me but did not make the final list. Maybe I should reconsider on this count as well.

I think you should reconsider Seattle. Fantastic city. You might want to think though about places you want to work and the like? Is your line of work such that you can easily pick up and move? (my apologies if you already answered that and I missed it).

I wanted to echo what someone else said along the way: I think Portland is a reasonable alternative to Seattle. You're only 3 hours away from Seattle, and you've just shortened the trip to San Fran too! :) It's a little warmer there as well. And hey, in Oregon, you never have to pump your own gas, and you don't pay sales tax. I don't know a lot about Portland, but I know that I've heard many singing the praises of Portland.

[Veroni]

:cool: Hi JenniRose and UmbrellaGirl!

LOL! JennieRose, I'll have a lot of traveling to do before I can tell you, which place is best. I'd have to become a hobo to accomplish it on my budget. But I promise to keep you posted on my search for paradise, if you'll do the same for me. Heck, we should just start our own CD City!...or maybe like you say; keep it to ourselves. ;)

Umbrellagirl, it is ironic that I took a test from the book "Placed Rated Almanac" many years ago and Seattle tied for my top choice then. I've known lots of people from Oregon and Washington and they were always sending me pictures - trying to entice me to, at least, come for a visit. Wish I had now. All work and no play was my mode of living back then and now I regret it a great deal.

I was actually an Oregon fanatic at one time; Portland, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Medford, Grants Pass, Gresham, Coos Bay, Newport, uncrowded beaches, smoked salmon, lots of trails for hiking and exploring, and immediate proximity to mountains, oceans, and forest. The following practical considerations have kind of steered me away in recent years:

* Somewhat depressed job market
* Somewhat high cost of living
* Though somewhat liberal, more conservative than half my finalists

Please tell me if I'm wrong about any of those. Now on the good side:

* Comparative absence of traffic jams
* Comparative absence of pollution
* Low crime rate

Of course, Washington looks good to me too and Vancouver, BC sounds like paradise to me in many ways, except for the colder weather, (still warmer than most places at the same latitude, I know but colder than I'm used to, I think).

You asked about my type of work. I'm a jack-of-all-trades in that I have done and can do many different types of work in order to get established in a new community. The hard part, of course, is getting started in a place where the cost of living is higher than I'm accustomed to. And living expenses always turn out to be higher than you expect, even if you stay in the same place and simply suffer from the effects of inflation.

Thanks to all who have responded! Your insights have been very helpful. I'm sort of surprised that some places were not more heavily represented or not represented at all in this thread. Could it be things are sooo good there that they're keeping it a secret?

Smiles and Hugs,
Veronica :)

[Stephenie]

Besides Seattle the Northwest has many smaller twons that are CD/g/lb open. Post Townsend and Port Angeles and others. It's surprising sometimes to see open and accepting of others life styles the people are around here.

[Jenny Rose]

Seattle and surrounding area is liberal. Rest of state is conservative, but they generally mind their own business. Seattle traffic can be a bear and its air isn't always cleanest.

All that said, the real issue with moving to Seattle is you'll never want to leave :D. Summer comes late, but when it kicks in like it has now, we'll have about 2 months of flawless weather: little rain, highs 75-80, lows 55-60. Once in a while higher than 80 or even the 90's, but that lasts only about 1-2 days. Seattle itself is a beautiful city and embraces some big city qualities, but is still kind of small town. People are genuinely friendly and pretty open-minded. Dress tends to be very casual even at very nice restaurants. OK, that may be a downside for CDers who get out and about LOL! Lots of work opportunities. Everywhere you look, summer or winter it is green, green, green here on the west side of the mountains with lots of trees. Winters do have the rain/drizzle which can take adjusting by many people, including myself. But, did I mention the summers are flawless?? :)

[kristine239]

Many of the posters here have made some good comments. As some of you know, I am in the Transgender event management business. I travel extenisvely all over the USA and abroad. I always travel in drab, (airport security reasons) however when I reach my destination, Kristine comes out of the suitcase, full time for the rest of the trip.

I meet with hotel sales people and hotel staff, mall executives, corporate leaders, you name it, I meet with them. Most of the time they have not been for-warned that I am a CD. This is one way I check them out to be sure they are gender friendly.

Almost always there has never been a problem other than a little stumbling for words at the start. Maybe it's because I am talking big dollars with them, but they are always friendly and professional, big cities and small towns. Of course there always are the exceptions, but I and the community that we serve, doesn't need them anyway.

So my suggestion is find a place that meets your regular requirements and go for it. If you would like some specific comments, please e-mail me.

Love Kristine

[Katie Ashe]

Smiles and Hugs,Veronica With your tough restrictions... I think the best town is Provincetown, Massachusetts. If your from New England area. The have a week long fair in Oct every year since 1975. Fantasia Fair. The town will treat you with respect and you be right at home 24/7.

There's my 0.02

There home page if your interested...
Fantasia Fair (http://fantasiafair.org/)

[Veroni]

:) Hi Everyone!

Thank you for keeping the great info coming!

Stephenie, I once knew someone who was from the Port Angeles area. He made it sound like heaven. I'd hoped to visit there someday on a non-cd vacation. How interesting to learn that I would be comfortable there en femme, as well! I'd noticed that one of the other girls had mentioned TG clubs and bars in the Gresham, Oregon area too, I believe. So yeah, small towns can be great too, though the odds are not as good regarding small towns, in general. Your post is a welcome revelation!

Jenny Rose, it floors me how many people recommend Seattle to me! Even non-cd friends who don't know that I'm a cder recommend Seattle to me based on my other criteria. And of course, it appears that Seattle had the greatest number of favorable comments, among those who mentioned specific cities in this thread and others I've viewed on related subjects. I know that the economy there has certainly had its ups and downs for as long as I can remember. Good to know there are currently lots of jobs. I hope that will last.

In terms of politics, it would be great to live in a place where liberals were in the majority but I know such places are rare. Honestly, I would just love to be in a place where independent thinkers are allowed.

I love the idea of so many opportunities in the great outdoors without the nuisance of extreme weather and expense involved with activities in most other places. I suppose the cooler Winters are balanced by the less intense Summers. Seems I'd also heard that mosquitos and other pests are not so prevalent as in sub-tropical places which are high on my list, like Florida and New Orleans. One thing I really like about those sub-tropical places is that the weather would allow me to go places in short-shorts and a tank top or a tight, short little black dress, night or day, at least 7 months out of the year.

Wow, Kristine! I was hoping to hear from someone with the background and experience you mention. :cool: Our local lgbt newspaper community has a regular syndicated travel column by a couple of guys who apparently rarely spend a night at home. They talk of their fabulous adventures in gay destinations all over the country and at least half their columns seem to be devoted to making places most gays would avoid, look inviting to gays. They talk about how wonderful and accepting everyone is everywhere. Well, yes it is interesting how well people of all types will treat you when you throw a lot of money around in their town or more specifically, in their business. My concern is that for us "real", non-chamber of commerce types who have to live in those places day in and day out, it's a very different story.

I know that in your work you see both sides and probably have a balanced perspective, especially with your technique of catching them off-guard by dressing for your initial meeting. The man....or I guess I should say, the t-girl-on-the-street, (MMM! Sounds so shady!), perspective is what I'm looking for. I'm thinking that you probably see the question from all angles, interacting with people from every walk of the cd life, which is even more intriguing. So, I'm very interested in anything specific you can tell me about certain places. I'd love to hear your Top 10 or so List of CD-Friendly Places too.

Katie Ashe, thank you for the info about Provincetown, MA. Why does that name sound vaguely familiar....Hmm, could it be I'd heard someone say/read something good about it elsewhere? New York City had also gotten my attention for the big drag festival, (can't think of the name of it right now), every year. Of course there would be lots for a t-girl to do in NYC but also kind of dangerous too. In this way, Provincetown might be a welcome mix of open-minded attitudes, plenty of opportunities to dress, and the relative safety of a smaller town. The cold weather would definitely take some getting used to for me.

Thank you all again for all the great info! It has really lifted my spirits to know there are so many great places for cds.

Smiles and Hugs,
Veronica