Going to Vegas, wanting to experience going out but have questions

[Carrie M]

Hello everyone,

I've enjoyed these forums for a couple of years but haven't posted a lot. I appreciate the time and care that people take in responding, so here goes a big one for me.

At the end of March I'm accompanying my wife to a several days long conference/exhibition. This is for her interest/business and is the first year I've chosen to go along. The schedule will give me two 8 hour days and one 4 hour day alone. I'm in a DADT situation. Meaning there is very slight knowledge but it's never been discussed. The hotel is on the south side of the city and has a nice pool so I'm basically going to get away from some WI winter and enjoy some sun!

I'm older and non-passable, my normal dressing is to enjoy a skirt, nice feminine T, bare legs, nylons, or leggings, sandals, etc. Basically casual wear. I don't attempt to pass as it's not going to happen lol. So I accept I'm a guy in women's clothes who just loves the feeling and everything about it. So my question is, is Vegas a place that can be taken out of the hotel room?

I've read here that Vegas is a very accepting place and that it's a favourite for CD's to be able to go out and mingle. But is that just around the "strip" area? And only ok if passable? How about away from there, or even while getting there from a hotel? My break won't be ruined if I opt out and just enjoy the hotel room experience. But there's that call, "when in Vegas!" I appreciate your thoughts :)

[Tracii G]

Vegas is not a magical tranny heaven its like most areas of the country.

[Julie MA]

Carrie, have fun, but two things. There can be alot of drunk crazies there. So, be safe. And, if in the room, what happens if she comes back early? Are you ready for that? Julie

[Meghan4now]

Yes, while you could maybe get away with it without confrontation, you may experience a similar discomfort that you would in other areas of the country. If you are not comfortable going out dressed in downtown Milwaukee or Chicago, it won't be a lot better in Vegas.

Remember, a lot of the people around you are visitors. And Vegas is all about doing it up big. Chick in killer 6" heels and bling. Now if you were going to a specific area in Vegas, then it might go over better. It depends a lot on YOUR comfort level. My advice is vegas is fun to go all out. But if you're DADT, maybe not.

[Lorileah]

and i would add that you should clear up your DADT situation before hand. Things could happen where you are caught out. Mitigate your risk for your marriage.

[docrobbysherry]

U may be in luck, Carrie. DLV in Vegas begins March 26 this year and goes all week. Google: Diva Las Vegas to get the details. U can attend any event u wish and skip all the others.

U should listen to what Lorileah said if u wish to have fun and not be stressed there, tho.

[Krisi]

If you are in a DADT relationship with your wife as far as crossdressing, I think it would be a bad idea to try to sneak some women's clothes into the luggage and try to dress and go out behind her back.

Leave the clothes and dressing at home and enjoy the trip.

[Jenniferathome]

I just got back from Vegas last week. Spent 4 ays dressed, day and night. LV is not CD nirvana but like everywhere I have been, no one cares. I do not pass.

Now, how you can pack for cross dressing WITH your wife in the same room strikes me as more than difficult. Talk to her and get out of the DADT situation.

[JenniferMBlack]

From a local point of view and experience. The tourist areas are fun but you are more likely to attract unwanted attention .the locals areas are more of an eh what ever. The worst coment I have gotten while wearing a skirt and heel in boy mode was oh lost a bet. That being said the tourists seam to be looking for the strange and unusual while say on the strip or Fremont st. As far as safety goes metro polive is always out In force in those ares as well as private property security personel. They don't tolerate any kind of violence. As far any of the casino hotel properties are concerned your another person to collect money from. I can't say you won't be laughed at or called names because no one knows who you will run into on a given day, if you can handle that dress as you wish go where you wish and have fun. As far as being a trans mecca where they are out on the streets in droves not the case , but tolerated yes very much so for the most part.

[michelleddg]

My apologies, Ms. Carrie, but if you two have never discussed the topic you are not DADT. You are "don't tell, hope to not get caught". Big difference.

Your plan is fraught with risk. To my mind, nothing about it being Las Vegas mitigates the risk. My vote goes to leaving your girl gear at home, having a whale of a time with your bride, and indulging yourself at home when you are in clear and utter control of the situation. Hugs, Michelle

[docrobbysherry]

From a local point of view and experience. The tourist areas are fun but you are more likely to attract unwanted attention .the locals areas are more of an eh what ever. The worst coment I have gotten while wearing a skirt and heel in boy mode was oh lost a bet. That being said the tourists seam to be looking for the strange and unusual while say on the strip or Fremont st. As far as safety goes metro polive is always out In force in those ares as well as private property security personel. They don't tolerate any kind of violence. As far any of the casino hotel properties are concerned your another person to collect money from. I can't say you won't be laughed at or called names because no one knows who you will run into on a given day, if you can handle that dress as you wish go where you wish and have fun. As far as being a trans mecca where they are out on the streets in droves not the case , but tolerated yes very much so for the most part.
Well explained, WB. I can't tell u the number of times I've heard, "OMG! That was a man!":eek: From tourists. And, even louder and more vulgar comments at nite when many folks r drinking and when I'm usually out there. But, they r there to have fun and won't bother u, in my experience. We're just part of the entertainment!:heehee:

When I have received compliments/nice comments, it's generally from the folks working in the hotels, etc. :thumbsup:

[Carrie M]

Thanks for sticking with my question some of you. I appreciate your insights and comments. I think that we all realize that we have all thought about our situations very carefully and are in a certain place for a reason. I'll enjoy the sun for sure :)

[sara.rafaela]

Hi Carrie

I have been to Las Vegas for Viva Wild Side and Divas Las Vegas. Divas is at the end of March. These are gatherings out in the general public. I have been to both. They have a activities during the day and night. You can even sign up and get a big sister. In the course of these events I have been out to the casinos, Paris, New York New York, and Harrah's. I have been to the Voodoo Lounge at the Rio. I have been to several restaurants in the casinos. I have gone bar hopping on Fremont Street. I have had a good time and have not had any problems.

[jennifer0918]

Carrie if you ever want to go out en femme in Chicago hit me up I'm planning an outing on the 21st ,never went out en femme in Vegas ,it's in my bucket list tho.

[Maria Blackwood]

I used to go a lot, but the soulless hotel corps ruined the gambling. Put the mob back in charge, I say. If you behaved yourself, they wouldn't blink at you. They handled the petty criminals, too, with trips to the deep deserts, so it was safe to walk around at night.

[jennifer0918]

Goodfellas 👇

[sherri]

I live in far north Texas and lots of people here vacation in Vegas. I don't do Vegas but if I did it wouldn't surprise me at all to bump into someone from home. In other words, I wouldn't count on complete anonymity if I were you, it's a small world. I'm not saying it's a deal-breaker, just something to keep in mind.

[BettyMorgan]

Las Vegas is not on my list of cities to re-visit for many reasons and you will definitely find better cities for CDing and wandering in the US (or the world).
The hospitality and retail staff are great and they take good care of you like they do anyone else. It's the drunk tourists from the one horse villages that roam the streets night and day that can point and make cat calls for whatever reason. I'm pretty passable and comfortable outside; it did not bother me but if you are concerned at all I would forgo leaving your hotel room. However I would add to the side that says you need to speak to your wife.

[OCCarly]

Vegas varies a lot from place to place and person to person. There are some hotels that are reputed to be LGBT central (the Luxor), others reputed to be LGBT friendly (Paris), but there are others that can be more redneck-y. If you are experienced at going out dressed I would say go for it, but Vegas is a poor place to be out for the first time non-passable unless you know the town really well -- because you are in a vulnerable position with no back-up.

I went to Vegas this past summer, and I went swimming in a two piece bikini at the pool at the Artisan without incident. I spent all my time around town in androgynous mode, wearing a somewhat loose men's T shirt over women's Hollister skinny jeans and women's sneaks, and carrying a men's shoulder bag by Coach. The most interesting reaction was the homeless guy who tried to dance with me while I was listening to a rock band on Fremont Street, the most uncomfortable was an elder couple, obviously from rural America, who kept staring at me while I was having dinner with my wife and her relatives at a pizza place at Green Valley Ranch. Bear in mind I had hair about five inches long at the time, and had been on hormones for maybe three months, so I was somewhere in that nebulous territory of being not quite passable.

So you are going to get reactions, and they are going to be pretty varied. Finally note that I never went out alone -- I always had backup, at least my wife, and most times my wife, her aunt, uncle and cousin. And her uncle and cousin are both big guys.

[Trishpdxcd2]

Well I personally love Las Vegas for going out. Yes, you may get some cat calls and I have, but also had some genuine compliments while out there as well. I think we are part of the attraction and that makes it easy for me to walk around there. I played golf there with other girls and spent nearly an entire week femme there during Diva Las Vegas. I plan on going this year as well.

But I agree with others, be careful especially in light of your personal situation with your so.

[Aunt Kelly]

Well I personally love Las Vegas for going out. Yes, you may get some cat calls and I have, but also had some genuine compliments while out there as well. I think we are part of the attraction...
Like it or not, we are indeed "part of the attraction" in Las Vegas. Keep in mind that the place is a magnet for people from all over the world. Among the teeming masses of wide-eyed tourists are many who've never seen a cross dresser or trans person in the flesh, much less learned proper decorum when encountering one. Unless you can really blend, you're going to get clocked, and even wider eyes, gasps, gaping mouths and pointing the predictable responses.

I've posted before about going out there. At first that kind of attention was downright frightening, having come from a community that had... better manners (PDX, by the way, Trish). I vaguely recall my wife saying something like, "Just walk, and breathe..." Shortly thereafter the adrenaline junkie part of my brain asserted itself and said, "I got this," and from that point on Kelly was just along for the ride. I don't mean I deliberately tried to create a spectacle. I never do that, but all the tasteful clothing, hair, and makeup in the world can't make a six-three woman not stand out, even in Vegas. So from that point on, it was just fun, watching the folks from the flyover states have an experience that I just knew they could not wait to share with their shocked friends and relatives back home. No one was openly hostile, though out on the street, where the drunks seem to be more common, that would likely be a different story.

If you're OK with all that, Carrie, Las Vegas is a fine place to be out. If you're not, it will likely be more than a little daunting and maybe not at all what you are hoping for. Also, the logistics of travel, and the odd sense of time that pervades that 24/7 city will present some unique challenges to keeping your secret from your SO. Be very careful in that regard.