This attempts to answer most of the frequently-asked (and some not-so-frequently asked) questions. If you need additional information, please e-mail: dlv@geekbabe.com

If this is the first time you are reading this FAQ, you will most likely want to start at the beginning of the answer section and read the list completely. If you are looking for updates or for answers to specific questions, you may click on any of the links below, paying attention to any "New" and "Updated" labels.

What do you do at Diva Las Vegas?

What are some of the activities that are planned?

What's the difference between Diva Las Vegas and other events such as Fantasia Fair, Fall Harvest, Southern Comfort, etc.?

Who sponsors Diva Las Vegas?

When does this happen?

How long has this been going on?

I'm F to M, am I still welcome?

Can I really go out dressed in Las Vegas?

Is Las Vegas really that "T-Safe"?

Will there be any vendors there? Are there any shops in the area that cater to TV/CD types?

Who's speaking?

How do I register and does it cost anything to register?

Where is everybody staying? Is there an official or host hotel?

What are the approximate costs?

I'm under 18 years of age, can I still attend?

I'm 18 (or 19 or 20) years of age, can I still attend?

Are spouses, significant others, and children welcome at Diva Las Vegas?

What about handicapped facilities?

When I get to Las Vegas, how do I check in and make contact with the group?

What is the deadline for registration?

Are there any drag or FI shows in Las Vegas?

How about clubs and bars that are t-friendly?

What do you suggest I do if I want to attend but I've never been out in public before?

What warnings, cautions, and suggestions do you have?

I don't know anybody else who's going. I feel a bit uneasy, kind of like I'm not going to be part of the "club"

Is there any dress code for Diva Las Vegas? What should I plan to bring to wear?

What's this I keep hearing, something about a 7-11?

And what about Galiano {sic} ?

How many people will be attending?

I'm on a very tight budget but I still want to attend. What advice can you give me?

What's this about a restroom law?

Are you aware that one of the places you recommend is owned by {insert politically incorrect group here}?

I'm gonna be in Las Vegas on business/pleasure/whatever soon. Do you have any recommendations on what I can do and places I can go safely?

I'm a vendor, can I come and try to sell my stuff to your people?

What's your policy on admirers? Are admirers welcome?

I don't have Internet access and I am serious about attending. What are my options?

I'm curious about how the weather will be in Las Vegas during DLV

Do I still have to register if I only want to do 1 or 2 activities with the group?

I'm local to Las Vegas and want to attend, what should I do?

What if I want to attend religious services when I'm in Las Vegas?

I registered for DLV once but did not show up. Am I still welcome?

At what hotel is the "Main Event" going to be held?

What about local transportation to the DLV activities?

What is expected of me? Are there any conditions of participation?

What do I need to do if I want more information?

Diva Las Vegas is the name given to a get-together of members of the transgendered community, and their friends and guests, which happens in the spring. It began as an in-real-life meeting of those who had gotten to know each other on the Internet. As the name implies, this happens in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

We eat, drink, and be Mary.

Seriously, we spend a few days just being ourselves and take in the sights and activities of Las Vegas. There's shopping, dining, shows, clubs, sightseeing, socializing, and, of course, gaming. Read on for some examples of what you can expect.

The schedule for DLV 2003 is currently under construction. The in-progress schedule of activities appears in the DLV Announcement Mailing List.

Here are some of the activities which appear on the schedule:

• Welcome get-together
• Production shows (2 on schedule)
• Golf outing
• Mall Crawl
• Bowling
• English High Tea
• Annual Mixer
• Dance night
• Side trip - sightseeing
• Limo tour of the Strip
• Bar / club tour
• Sightseeing airplane rides
• ... and others (refer to mailing list)

Diva Las Vegas is a vacation, not a convention.

Diva Las Vegas is more informal, far less structured, and more real-life. It's less of a convention, and more of an informal get-together to simply enjoy life and each other's company. (It's also far less expensive.)

Diva Las Vegas has no formal organization or sponsorship. It is simply a group of individuals who agree to get together at more or less the same place at more or less the same time to enjoy the same activities and each other's company.

Diva Las Vegas 2003 will run from Tuesday, April 22 thru Sunday, April 27, 2003.

If you are unable to make the entire period, you will be welcome to participate as much as you can.

The event we know as Diva Las Vegas began in May of 1997. This next year will be our seventh year.

Most definitely !! :)

Well, since Las Vegas has a law against public nudity, you have to.

Seriously, everyone attending is free to dress according to their own desire, style, and comfort level. Some of the participants remain in one mode or the other throughout the affair. Some choose to be in one mode for some activities, and the other for some.

We ask that when you're with the group, you dress appropriate to the occasion and activity, and act as a lady or gentleman, whichever you prefer at the time.

Throughout the history of Diva Las Vegas, there have been absolutely no serious or threatening incidents. There have been no cases of refused service, inferior service, etc.

Our participants have gone shopping in local malls and shops, gambling in various casinos, gone to various tourist attractions, attended production shows, etc., all with no problems whatsoever.

The local T* group reports that they very seldom get a "no" when they ask any local business if they wish to do business with the transgendered community. The only casino where there has ever been a known incident was Circus-Circus. (But I've heard two versions of the story.) One DLV1999 participant stayed at Circus-Circus with no difficulty at all.

There are many bars, clubs, businesses, etc., that welcome T-business, and a list will be provided to all those attending.

Since we're a vacation and not a convention, we won't have any exhibits or vendor hall.

However, as far as "vendors" you can patronize, there will be the entire Las Vegas business community!

There are two shops in the area intended primarily for the T* community.

Most of the main-line businesses in Las Vegas will welcome your business in either mode. A list of businesses known to be t-friendly will be available to those who attend.

You are. :)

Registration for DLV 2003 will open February, 2003.

There is no registration fee, per se, but everybody's on one's own for such things as:

• Lodging
• Food and drink
• Transportation
• Entertainment
• Gratuities
• Incidentals

Unlike many other T* community events, DLV is not centered around one particular hotel.

Hotels, as well as other accommodation items, are discussed in our mailing list.

For DLV 2003, we are suggesting the following hotels (in alphabetical order):

• Imperial Palace
• Sahara
• San Remo
• Tropicana

As always, everybody is free to stay anywhere they choose, if they wish. Some of the people attending visit Las Vegas frequently and have their own favorite places to stay.

In the past, our people have stayed at many Strip and off-Strip places including Riviera, Stardust, Bally's, Imperial Palace, Sahara, Westward Ho, Circus-Circus, Excalibur, Frontier, Blair House, LV Hilton, Luxor, San Remo, Palace Station, Lady Luck, Main Street Station, and some of the smaller places, all without any problems.

Some notes about these particular hotels appear HERE.

The cost of hotel rooms in Las Vegas varies from $0 to several hundred dollars per night, depending on such things as location, availability, and the phase of the moon.

Prices for our suggested hotels are discussed in the mailing list.

Many hotels will not book a Saturday arrival. People who regularly play at any of the major casinos can often arrange for reduced-rate or complimentary accommodations.

Food is often a loss-leader at the major casino-hotels. Most of them have an AYCE buffet at a very attractive price. Just about everything from the usual chain places to very elegant restaurants will be available. Any midscale Strip hotel will have meals priced well within the budget of anyone staying there. Almost any casino will serve complimentary drinks (alcoholic or non) to those playing any table or machine game.

Air fare to McCarran Airport in Las Vegas is usually available in the $200-$300 range from most major airports in the US, if booked in advance and if peak travel periods are avoided. The key word here is ADVANCE.

Shuttle service from the airport to major strip hotels is frequent and reasonably-priced.

Rental cars are usually available in the $25-ish per day range.

If you are on a tight budget, see the question and answer below.

No. There are a number of resources available for transgendered teens, but this is not one of them, sorry.

Although the age of 18 is considered the age of majority in some locations for some purposes, those between the ages of 18 and 20 who visit Las Vegas often report that they did not have a good time. There are countless activities for those over 21, and many for children and younger teenagers, but not that many geared for those in the 18 - 20 year old range.

Many activities of the group will be held in areas that require proof of age 21 or over.

• 21 is the minimum age to enter any gaming areas.

• 21 is the minimim age to enter cocktail lounges, even though non-alcoholic beverages and food may be served as well as alcoholic beverages.

• Many production shows (including those that tend to be popular with our group) require attendees to be age 21 or older.

• All casino hotels, and many independent hotels and motels, require proof of age 21 when checking in.

• Most car rental agencies require proof of age 25 (some will rent to those of age 21) to rent a car.

• Casino security guards, metro police, and gaming commission agents are always on the lookout for those aged 18 - 20 who enter or attempt to enter gaming areas. Those who do so, as well as those over 21 who assist them in doing so, are subject to arrest and detention.

It is suggested that those who are of age 18 - 20 who want to attend Diva Las Vegas do so immediatley after their 21st. birthday.

Nobody in our group is going to tell somebody in the 18 - 20 year range to "get lost" but those in that age range should keep in mind that:

• It will be very difficult to rent a hotel room.

• It will be difficult to rent a car.

• You will not be able to participate in some activities that are popular with the group.

Spouses and SO's of age 21 or older are most welcome to attend and to participate with the group.

As for kids, some of the hotels have activities geared for those through the mid teens. Most hotels will have a video arcade area. Several theme parks and areas, including rides, games, etc., are available on the Strip.

Most of the larger hotels and resorts will have a sitter service available.

Please be aware, however, that some hotels that cater to adults will have certain not-so-subtle practices to discourage bringing kids, such as counting each child of any age for room occupancy, making all persons of all ages in the buffet line pay full price, prohibiting strollers on the property, etc. Please ask about things like this when you make reservations if you will be bringing younger children.

All hotels, casinos, restaurants, shops, etc., provide reserved handicapped parking. Most of the larger hotels will provide special rooms with wide doors, handrails, etc., at no additional charge if requested.

Most of the major casinos will have wheelchair-accessible table and machine games.

Check-in is very simple. At your first DLV activity, one of our volunteers will take your name and ask if you have any questions or concerns.

The times and locations of the various activities, along with directions and instructions for locating the group, will be given to those who register. Two of the organizers will be carrying cell phones and pagers, so there will be no concern about failing to make contact or losing contact.

Well, I suppose it would be shortly before the end of the affair. .

Seriously, if you decide at the last minute that you would like to join us, you will be welcome.

The group has attended both Frank Marino's La Cage at the Riviera, and the Kenny Kerr Show (nee Boylesque) each several times. The group has been well-received each time.

It is planned that the group will attend at least one show of this type in 2003.

Every year, the group frequented several establishments that are known to be t-friendly, one being a neighborhood bar on Tropicana, not far from the airport, another neighborhood bar on Charleston, and a couple places in what is known as the Triangle District, as well as a few others in various locations about town.

There are several others. (So little time - sigh.)

You will be welcome to participate either as "brother" or "sister" (or both) depending on your preference.

If you wish, you will be free to transition from one mode to the other at a time that will be primarily determined by your own comfort level. You might plan your big "coming out" to be at a time such as an evening at a club that is known to be T-friendly. Several of those attending will be willing to help you as needed, and will give you feedback as to what you should do, and what may or may not be appropriate.

This year we will have some volunteer "Big Sisters" who will be able to coach and help if necessary.

Play it by ear. You will know when you're ready to appear in public.

If you're thinking of coming to DLV with the intention of picking up some extra spending money by engaging in blatantly illegal activities such as dealing drugs or practicing the world's oldest profession, STAY AWAY! Those activities are not welcome at DLV. That's not what DLV is all about. Never has been, never will be.

DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE! Sobriety checkpoints occur occasionally on weekend nights.

Additional en femme drinking tips appear at:

http://www.geekbabe.com/dlv/fdrinking.html

If you don't pass well, avoid the neighborhood bars and clubs unless you know them to be t-friendly. Likewise, avoid the family-oriented "Theme" hotel and casinos in favor of those who cater to a more mature crowd.

Avoid appearing on the Strip or in a casino lounge in any manner of dress that might appear too attention-getting or provocative.

If you don't pass well, avoid public restrooms unless you are very sure there will be no objections from management or public. Update: Do not use womens facilities in public parks.

Don't overdress! Casual is the norm for daytime wear in Las Vegas, and is common in the evening as well. Dress to blend into the crowd. Save that glitzy evening gown for the night we go to the showroom.

It's normal to be concerned about this when getting together with any group of people you do not already know. Please be assured that those who attend Diva Las Vegas are very outgoing, very inclusive, and not in any way snobby or cliquish. Most of the people attending were at one time in exactly this situation themselves.

There is no specific dress code for our participants. Very few places in Las Vegas have a strict dress code anymore. We only ask that you dress in a presentable manner, in good taste, and in a manner appropriate to the activity at hand, while with the group. We also ask that you refrain from dressing or acting in a manner intended to flaunt transgenderism or in a manner intended primarily to attract attention.

Casual to moderately dressy attire, either boymode or girlmode, is acceptable at most DLV activities.

More specific discussions on what to bring, and what to wear for the various activities occur in the Diva Las Vegas Mailing List.

This refers to an amusing (but embarrassing at the time) incident in which one young lady received a coming-out baptism-by-fire when nature called. Nobody was hurt or hassled, and she will have a very interesting story to tell to her grandchildren. No doubt this tale will be recalled at this year's event. Everybody involved laughs about it now!

Yeah, what about it? :)

(This is most likely the most frequently asked question.)

Headcount projections are announced in our mailing list.

Las Vegas CAN be one of the most economical vacation spots. Some hints for those who want to make the most of their money at Diva Las Vegas appear HERE.

Also, Lucky Ned's has some good $$$-saving hints too. Although this site is very much tongue-in-cheek, many of the saving ideas are very good and accurate.

(Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer, nor do I play one on line. This is not legal advice.)

Both an attorney and a local police officer have been consulted about this. Both state that currently no such law exists. There may have been one at some time in the past.

Common sense and attention to time, place, and circumstance should always be used.

Update:This persistent rumor does have a basis in fact, but it appears to apply to restrooms in public parks only.

Additional discussion on restroom issues appears Here.

Very few Las Vegas casinos are owned by choirboys! Many have a very seedy history.

It will be an exercise for the student to research the political background of the places to stay, and to base the decision on where to stay on, among other things, the results and personal value systems.

Discussion of this was declared off-topic in our mailing list in 1998.

Yes, we now have our Transgendered Guide to Las Vegas which is made from the collective experience of DLV over the past several years. It gives general comments and has a big list of recommended (and not so recommended) places.

This now includes customer ratings and comments.

You're welcome to attend, just as anybody else is. Please keep in mind we are a vacation, not a convention. We won't have any seminars or vendor hall, and we don't have any space for you to set up and do your thing.

Before you make plans to attend as a vendor, please look very carefully at this site and at this FAQ so you can be sure you know what you are getting into.

You won't have as much of a captive audience as you will at the traditional t* conventions, since we encourage our people to get out and shop locally.

Also please be aware that Clark County has strict tax and permit requirements for itinerant merchants. You (not us) will be responsible for seeking and jumping through the necessary hoops in order to legally do business in Clark County, Nevada.

If you plan to be offering professional services such as makeovers, hairstyling, electrolysis, nails/manicures, etc., please be aware that these services are regulated by the State of Nevada, and you (not us) will be responsible for researching the requirements and jumping through the necessary hoops in order to legally practice your profession while attending DLV.

Yes. We've always been open to anybody who identifies with the theme of DLV, and who agrees to behave as a lady or a gentleman (or both).

If I may speak very freely, admirers do have a reputation of coming on very strong, and it is this behavior, not the mere fact that they are admirers, that makes them unwelcome at some t* gatherings.

We have had admirers, both male and female, attend DLV over the years with no issues whatsoever.

Anyone of any gender, orientation, and persuasion will most likely be welcome at DLV as long as they behave appropriately and respect the others who will be present.

Diva Las Vegas is highly dependent on the Internet, for information, registration, planning (which is interactive and participatory), etc.

We suggest the following options:

1. Use a public-access terminal, such as in public libraries or Kinkos shops, and a free e-mail account on a service such as Hotmail or Yahoo. This has actually worked quite well for a few people.

2. Find a person with Internet access to act as go-between and print out such things as the FAQ and the weekly mailings and give them to you. This person can then fill in the registration screen for you.

Since you are either reading this on the web, or from a hardcopy that somebody printed out, one of the above options should be within your reach, if you are indeed serious about attending.

If you are shy about using your usual home or office e-mail account for DLV, sign up for a free web-access e-mail account through such a thing as Hotmail or Yahoo. It's easy, discreet, and free.

In the event the above options are not available to you, we will have a volunteer who will contact people by phone, beginning around the first of the year, 2003. Instructions for this will be posted around the first of January, 2003. Calls will be made collect and limited to those who geuninely have no Internet access.

It varies quite a bit. Usually dry, highs in the 80's, lows in 60's, sometimes even high 50's. I have seen it in the 100's in May, though. It does not rain that often, but when it does, it POURS!

Nights may be cool, but are very seldom cold. Sweater weather, not overcoat weather. :)

In most cases, you will probably not need a jacket or sweater except on the casino floor. :)

Bringing a small umbrella is recommended just in case.

We're asking all people who want to participate in any DLV activities to please register. It's simple, quick, painless, discreet, and spam-free. History has shown that drop-ins and tag-alongs freqently miss out on important information about what's happening.

But {so and so} said I really don't have to register.

{So and so} is wrong.

But what if I just want to hang around, and not do any activities?

We're still asking you to please register. Registration is not optional.

What if I just show up?

We will hand you a registration form to fill out, which is a duplicate of the registration screen.

About 20% of the DLV participants come from Las Vegas and the surrounding area.

If you live in the Las Vegas area, DLV will introduce you to many others in the area who share your interest, as well as give you a sample of places you can go and things you can do in the area.

There's no requirement that you stay in one of our suggested hotels when you attend DLV, although a few from the local area do, for one reason or another.

Please follow the usual procedure. Register on line (DLV general registration will open February, 2003) and please indicate in the appropriate space that you are local to Las Vegas.

We are compiling a list of local congregations that welcome GLBT people to participate in their services. This will be given to those who register for DLV 2003 as well as added to our TG Guide to Las Vegas.

That's water under the bridge. All is forgiven. Looking forward to having you with us!

There is no "Main Event", our activities occur all over the Las Vegas area. DLV is quite a bit different from the t* community events you may be familiar with, in this respect.

Everybody attending DLV is ultimately responsible for their own transportation to and from the various activities. However, rides with others will usually be available for those who stay in our suggested hotels.

Details on ride sharing and other transportation options are discussed on the mailing list.

The main condition of participation is that you dress and act as a lady or gentleman and be nice to others. The Conditions Of Participation document from the registration screen appears HERE if you want to preview it.

We have a mailing list (e-mail) for those interested in attending the event. To join this mailing list, simply send e-mail to dlv@geekbabe.com

When you submit your e-mail address to this list, it will be used for this list and this list only. It will be kept confidential and will not be given out to third parties. You will not receive any unsolicited commercial e-mail (spam) by joining this list.