Transgender Events

TRANSGENDER EVENTS

These are some of the more popular transgender events that we know of. If you know of others, please let us know, and we will include them among this list. Click on the event logos to learn more.

SOUTHERN COMFORT CONFERENCE, ATLANTA, GA
SEPTEMBER 30 - OCTOBER 5 2008

The 18th Annual Southern Comfort Conference will be held at the Crowne Plaza Ravinia Hotel, outside Atlanta. Though there are lots of good ol’ southern gals there, attendees come from all over to gain the sense of empowerment that characterizes this event. SCC continues to be among the most important of American transgender events, and features seminars and events that include the most prominent of trans medical experts and activists, not to mention some great parties. Details are available at the conference website. Click below.

FANTASIA FAIR, PROVINCETOWN, RHODE ISLAND
OCTOBER 19 – 26, 2008

Established in 1975, Fantasia Fair is the Mother of all American transgender events. For 33 years, attendees from all over the globe have descended upon this sleepy coastal town and have been warmly received by its residents. The keynote speakers have yet to be announced for this year’s luncheon events, but the entire week is crammed full of activities out and about in Provincetown. This event is unique among American events, because it is not confined to one specific hotel or conference facility. In the Northeast, this would be the place to be in October. Registration is open at their website.

LAKE ERIE GALA , ERIE, PA
NOVEMBER 17 – 22, 2008

The Lake Erie Gala is a well established social event that provides the opportunity for crossdressers and significant others to get out and about in a friendly environment. This is a good chance for first time crossdressers in the Ohio, NY State and Western PA areas to experience a “no pressure” transgender gathering. The event will be hald at the Avalon Hotel, in Erie, PA, and while there are no workshops or seminars featured, planned activities will include shopping trips and outings to local nightclubs and restaurants, as well as several banquet events with live entertainment. Sure to be fun for one and all. Check their site for details.

FIRST EVENT, BURLINGTON, MA
JANUARY 2009 DATES TBA

First Event is just that, the first transgender event of the yearly event calendar. Event sponsor organization, the Tiffany Club of New England, chose to hold the event in January to avoid conflicting with previously established annual events. The Tiffany Club has been a fixture in the Northeastern transgender community since the 70’s. Although it’s cold and snowy in January up there, this group will extend a warm welcome. The event details for the 2008 date will be available soon. Keep checking the Tiffany Club site for updates.

COLORADO GOLD RUSH, DENVER
FEBRUARY 2009, DATES TBA

The Colorado Gold Rush is held during February each year, and is sponsored by the Colorado Gender Identity Center. Though it is one of the smaller events, with attendance of about 300, many prominent speakers are featured. Among the presentations included in the 2007 program were workshops with surgeon Mark Zukowski, University of Nebraska professor Meredith Bacon and a keynote speech by SRS surgeon Marci Bowers. Information on the 2008 Gold Rush event is not yet available, but keep checking in at the link below for updates.

WORKING TOGETHER FOR CHANGE, IFGE CONFERENCE, WASHINGTON, DC
FEBRUARY 4 - 7, 2009

IFGE will bring the transgender message to our nation's capital at a most important time. With a new administration in place in DC, the timing and location of the 2009 conference will present a brilliant opportunity for participants from all over the US to be a part of a major lobbying effort to encourage passage of a trans inclusive ENDA, as well as to attend all the other exciting conference events, lecture topics and activities.

CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’, SAN JOSE, CA
APRIL 2 - 5, 2009

Another smaller event, California Dreamin’ still attracts such notable personalities as author Alice Novic, along with many of the same medical experts and topics of interest that are featured at some of the other events. The vendor area at this gathering is small but really great, due to the presence of Carla’s Salon and Boutique, one of the world’s great trans boutiques. Though the dates have been set for the 2009 event, further details are still unavailable. Keep checking their website for updates, or you can be added to their email list to be notified.

DIVA LAS VEGAS, LAS VEGAS,NV
APRIL 2009, DATES TBA

Diva Las Vegas bills itself as a “Vacation, not a Convention,” and it is a party worthy of its host city. Though it isn’t a convention, this event will keep you running from one activity to the next, featuring all manner of sightseeing tours, parties, shows and more parties. Remember, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Stay tuned to their site for details.

BE ALL, CHICAGO, IL
JUNE 2009 DATES TBA

Next year, the Be All celebrates 27 years as one of the longest established transgender events in the US. If you are in the Midwest, it will be worth the effort to attend. Click the logo image to learn more.

SPARKLE UK, MANCHESTER, UK,
JUNE 2009 TBA

Sparkle is billed as the world’s largest transgender gathering, and with attendance topping 5,000 people, it very probably is the largest. Sponsored by the UK Angels organization, the event features workshops and seminars in locations scattered around the “Village” area of Manchester, art galleries, live music, and of course, the competition for the coveted “Miss Sparkle” crown. The best thing about this event is that it covers an entire neighborhood, blending effectively with the local residents and businesses. This area of Manchester is notably T friendly anyway. On any given weekend, the restaurants and pubs in Canal St. welcome large numbers of transgender clientele, but Sparkle weekend is really something to see! If you want to experience this for yourself, visit their website by clicking below to learn about this spectacular event.

In the meantime, don’t wait for one of these major events to get out in the community. There are support groups and clubs in just about every corner of the US. Find one close to you, and get out there. Meet other transgender people and make friends who know what you feel. A good place to start finding information about what’s available to you will be the IFGE Resource Page, under the “Support Groups’ heading.

What are you waiting for? Get going!