Should I go..?

[LenGray]

I was perusing the internet earlier and I found out that the neighborhood LGBT community is hosting a Winter Ball on the 22nd....and I don't know if I should go or not.

Coming from East Texas, I've never been involved in an actual LGBT community or gone to an LGBT event.

I feel like this would be a great opportunity for me to not only 'come out' and meet some like-minded people in my community but it would also serve as a supportive venue for me to dress in public for the first time.

But, I'm kind of scared. I'm not sure what to do at these type of things and the dress said semi-formal...what the heck is semi-formal? A tux? Or just a nice button-down or...?

Haha, basically I could use some advice on what to do? ^_^;

[TeresaCD]

I have only been to one such event, and it was a highlight of my first year out and about. Definitely recommend going to such an event..
And I reckon you wear something special, that you feel really great wearing, whatever that may be :)

For me, that was a dress I made, with heels from a dear friend :battingeyelashes:

[anaissa]

Go for it, darlin'. I can't speak on behalf of every LGBT out there, but most are a great way to meet new friends. I say you drape yourself in your favorite outfit and step out for a night of fun and adventure.

[PaulaQ]

Alright Len, you passed here in the TS forum - you go dude!

Wear a nice suit, if you can find one second hand, and go presenting as male. You'll have fun, and you'll feel accepted.

[Persephone]

agree with Paula -- Len, you just passed!

Semi-formal used to mean what we now call "formal," black tie, tux, but these days it seems to mean suit and tie. I found some suggestions here (click here) (http://www.wikihow.com/Dress-Semi-Formal-for-Guys). I think you'll especially enjoy Item #5 in the second part, "Method 2 of 2: General Strategies for Dressing Semi-Formal."

Have fun!

Hugs,
Persephone.

[Angela Campbell]

It means to wear your "Sunday go to meetin" clothes.

[Raychel]

You should definitely go Len.


I was nervous as hell the first time I went out to a meeting, Scared out of my mind.
But once I got there it was a really good time. I met a lot of people that had very similar stories to mine.


I definitely would go, Wear what you are most comfortable in wearing and have a great time.

[BOBBI G.]

By all means go. It will help get you out of your comfort zone and you will find they will be more than gracious. Plus, there is always safety in numbers.

Bobbi

[Barbie Anne]

Len in every one of your posts I've ever read, you strike me as intelligent, and present as masculine and confident, and consequently the kind of guy I gravitate to for friendship when I'm in guy mode. Go for it Bro. Yes nowadays semi-formal male dress can be as simple as a nice pair of slacks, suit jacket, tie, dress shirt and shoes. A look I might at that would be quite handsome and very passable on you. Besides you'll be in a room full of folks just like us..........who the hell is gonna care......go have fun :)

[Katey888]

You should go! I'd hope that you'd come across the same level of support and acceptance you'd get here - and you certainly strike me as the sort of personality who would be both fun and interesting to be with... and a sharp dresser to boot! :)

I'd read semi-formal as a suit (but Texas is the place that sees not wearing jeans as formal, right? ;)) - and suits make things easy - good shirt, liven it up with a punchy tie, or even a cravat if you don't fancy the idea of a constricting collar for too long.. but trousers and a smart jacket would likely do also.

Shoes are what maketh man... imho - if you want to assess someone (male) on first meeting, check out their shoes. Your youth gives you the chance to be fashionable, so relatively straightforward - but you could also go stylish and classy if you wanted - just an 'older' look. Some things never go out of fashion... Except suspenders (we call them braces here..) - they finished sometime during Gordon Gecko's prison sentence... :D

Let us know if you go - how you go - and what happens? I wish I could be there with you...!

Katey x

[Jorja]

Len, do you like having fun? Get yourself all slicked up, find one of us Texas babes and hit the ball. I am sure one of our girls would love an excuse to wear a formal gown and go on a date with a handsome guy.

[Annaliese]

Hell yes, get out there

[PretzelGirl]

It will be far easier than you think because of the like minded people. In my experience, semi-formal was always a suit and a tux was for formal or black tie events. Have a blast!

[LenGray]

Wow! So many responses so quickly! :D

Paula: I guess I did pass, huh? lol ^_^;

Persephone: Thanks for the link! :D Now, to figure out where I can get a suit... lol

Angela: XD

Raychel: Thanks :) Haha, I'll probably be nervous until I get there ^_^; Today I'm going to scour my closet for anything that isn't tights or jeans lol

Bobbi: Thank you :) That thought had occurred to me as well ^_^;

Barbie Anne: Thank you so much for the support! :) I'm a bit of a goofball in real life but I'm so glad that you'd want to be friends with me! XD

Katey: lol Sadly, yes. Anything that doesn't have jeans and a hat is considered 'formal' in Texas ^_^; And they usually give you wiggle room on both of those lol I'll probably troll around some thrift shops and see what I find in the suit and shoes department. Right now, the only shoes I have that aren't sandals or heels is a pair of pink and gray running shoes(hate the color but they are SO comfy when I go jogging) so, yeah....nice shoes lol If I do go out in a suit though, I hope they have a bar. I've never been to a bar in a suit...plus then I could introduce myself all like "I'm Gray...Len Gray." XD lol

Jorja: Why, yes, yes I do... ;)

Annaliese: Haha, straight to the point as always ;p You're awesome, hun :D

Sue: Thank you so much! :)

[Jorja]

I hope this will help you Len.

Men should wear a dark business suit for a semi-formal dress code. A matching vest is optional but the suit should be paired with a white shirt and a conservative tie. Dressy leather shoes and matching socks are best suited for this dress code. A lighter colored suit may also be acceptable if the event is during the daytime.

A tuxedo would be inappropriate for a semi-formal dress code policy. It would be seen as overly dressy. Linen and seersucker suits would also be unacceptable as they are seen as more casual. Also, flip-flops and loafers are too casual to be considered in the semi-formal dress code.

*Note - matching socks ;)