Divas Las Vegas

[Sami Brown]

I am on the email list for Divas Las Vegas, and they are now allowing registration for this spring's event. I believe a number of you have participated in the past. What advice can those of you who have been there offer to those of us who have not yet gone?

Sami

[Jaylyn]

As part of your question I would like to ask do many bring the wives to this event, it could be the only way I'd ever get to go. Might not tell her it's Divas and try and let her see this all is very up and up and having fun. Probably not a good idea though, just a thought.

[Aunt Kelly]

I don't know, Jaylyn. If you're wife is at least moderately tolerant, you might suggest it. No commitment - If she's put off by the scene, you're still in Las Vegas with plenty to do. On the other hand, she might learn that we're great company to have when "out of town", and have a ball. I would not get her out there and then spring the idea.

[docrobbysherry]

Only been to the last 6 or 7. But, usually there r a number of SO's that attend with their T girl, hubby.:)

The most difficult thing to do is pace yourself, Sami. Also, traveling around Vegas and parking have become time and $$ issues! I suggest staying as near the events u wish to attend as possible!:battingeyelashes:

Final tip: If u drive, u CAN'T pack too much!:heehee:

[Kayliedaskope]

You CAN pack too much - then you have no room for all of your inevitable shopping!

[Sarah Doepner]

I've been going to Diva Las Vegas for over 15 years.

Pace yourself is good advice, particularly if you intend to spend the whole week there.
Have some comfortable shoes.
While there are some events that invite you to dress up, don't plan on dresses and heels for everything, every day. Many of the activities are tourist type things where casual comfort may just add to your enjoyment.
There are usually 15-20 spouses that regularly attend, so bring your bride along to share the vacation.
There are multiple tracks of activity that range from show up if you want to things you must register and pay for in advance, so pay attention to the activity sign up emails.
-> There is a lot of valuable information on the DLV homepage that works for any trip to Las Vegas as well as specifically for this function.
Vegas isn't as cheep as it once was, with pay parking on The Strip and inexpensive buffets aren't as common as they were. So pack extra money, just in case.
There are a large number of us from this forum who attend, so look for us. If you can't find us, introduce yourself to someone new.
If you are reluctant to get out for the first time, sign up for a big sister. She will help you the best she can.

It is a vacation, not a convention, so don't expect to be sitting in a conference room, ever. Be prepared to do tourist stuff, eat, drink, dance, wander, sleep late and even miss a few activities.

[Sami Brown]

Thanks for the advice so far. From what you have seen in Las Vegas, do you think it is a decent place for a crossdresser to thrive year round? My wife and I are planning to move this year, and Las Vegas is one of the places we are considering.

If I lived there, I think it would be neat to be one of those be one who is helping first time Diva attendees each year.

Sami

[Norma_CD]

Also, traveling around Vegas and parking have become time and $$ issues! I suggest staying as near the events u wish to attend as possible!

Side note: If you haven't been to Vegas in awhile, most of the casinos now charge for parking. Treasure Island, Venetian/Palazzo, and I think Wynn/Encore are free. But the big chains (MGM and Caesars) now charge.

[Aunt Kelly]

Thanks for the advice so far. From what you have seen in Las Vegas, do you think it is a decent place for a crossdresser to thrive year round? My wife and I are planning to move this year, and Las Vegas is one of the places we are considering.

Las Vegas is kind of an odd case. Downtown and the strip are places where "spectacle" is not just welcome, it's an industry. So make no mistake, in those areas a crossdresser is just one more spectacle for the tourists to gape at. Aside from that, being TG there is like any other big city. Drive 6 blocks in any direction away from the strip or downtown however, and the place is very different. It's all bedroom community, i.e. suburban. I have not spent a lot of time in suburban LV, but my impression was that it was more conservative than one would expect, given it's proximity to "Sin City" proper.

[JenniferMBlack]

Can't give advice on Divas as I have not got to go yet. But as far as liveing here it is pretty liberal and I have not heard of any issues with any LGBTQ poeple. I go out all the time all over the city and have never had any problems from anyone. As far as locals go we have seen prettt much everything and very little phases us. Las Vegas is truly is a live and let live kind of city.

[Heidi Stevens]

If you do tell a spouse your thinking of going, make sure you tell them it’s Diva, not Wild Side.
Big difference.

[Sarah Doepner]

Thanks for the advice so far. From what you have seen in Las Vegas, do you think it is a decent place for a crossdresser to thrive year round? My wife and I are planning to move this year, and Las Vegas is one of the places we are considering.

If I lived there, I think it would be neat to be one of those be one who is helping first time Diva attendees each year.

Sami


Can't give advice on Divas as I have not got to go yet. But as far as liveing here it is pretty liberal and I have not heard of any issues with any LGBTQ poeple. I go out all the time all over the city and have never had any problems from anyone. As far as locals go we have seen prettt much everything and very little phases us. Las Vegas is truly is a live and let live kind of city.

When I'm in Las Vegas I don't spend all my time on the Strip or Downtown but wander about. I thrift shop, eat, go to the grocery and drug stores, just about anything and I've never had a problem anywhere in the area. Las Vegas was founded by Mormons as an outpost on the trail to Southern California (Brigham Young wanted his dreamed of State of Deseret to have a sea port), and they still have quite a presence there. But it is balanced by a multi-cultural and in a very real way, international population.

As for living there, I know several trans people who love it there. My only recommendation is pay close attention to the housing market. It was hit hard by the housing bubble and there are a lot of properties for sale there. It may be easy to find a quality house for a reasonable price, but if you decide you want to leave, it may be a hard sell.

[beckybinight]

I just registered for Diva Las Vegas. A bit nervous. I am not out and about very often, but looking forward to a fun event and meeting some fun like minded gurls..

Becky

[Sami Brown]

Becky, it is okay to be a little nervous. I have not gone to Diva Las Vegas, but from the many accounts I have read, most people have a very positive, sometimes even life-changing, experiences.

Although I have not participated, I have spent some time en femme in Las Vegas. I, too, was nervous, but I didn't have anything bad happen. I found it to be an exhilarating experience once I got the nerve to walk out the door.

Sami