(Posted with Susan's permission)
Apparently, a lot of people don't realize Southern Comfort Transgender Conference still exists. After last year, it was announced 2016 had been the final Southern Comfort due to a lawsuit between two doctors who profit off the trans community with SCTC being named as a third party. With the assistance of the Greater Ft. Lauderdale Visitors and Conventions Bureau, which is heavily promoting LGBT tourism, SCTC has been brought back. Among the speakers scheduled are Buck Angel, former Undersecretary of Defense Amanda Simpson, Jenny Hall from the CIA (yes that CIA), Dr. Toby Meltzer and many more. This year instead of being held at a hotel in a remote location, the conference is being held in town at the Riverside Hotel on Las Olas Blvd. on the Intercoastal Waterway. Las Olas Blvd. has a lot of boutiques, restaurants and places to visit. The rate for the Riverside Hotel is $89 per night and the full conference is $175.
https://sccfla.org/ (https://sccfla.org/)
https://www.sunny.org/event/southern-comfort-transgender-conference/22879/ (https://www.sunny.org/event/southern-comfort-transgender-conference/22879/)
Add to the people attending, Sarah McBride who spoke to the Democratic National Convention last summer. Sarah is the person who stood on stage and said on national TV, "I am a proud transgender American woman."
That is wonderful to hear that Southern Comfort is back. Unfortunately I will be unable to attend this year due to a lack of time and funds but maybe 2018 will be the year for me.
Quote from: CarlyMcx on August 10, 2017, 08:26:40 PM
That is wonderful to hear that Southern Comfort is back. Unfortunately I will be unable to attend this year due to a lack of time and funds but maybe 2018 will be the year for me.
Me too. Something like this needs sponsors to bring people in.
I've been wondering about this. I'm in Florida and just started HRT a month ago, and have been thinking about going, but it's a lot of money for both my wife and me to attend. I've looked at the website, but can't get a feel for what it's like. Has anyone attended before, and is it worth it?
Stephanie
Quote from: Steph2.0 on August 11, 2017, 07:57:24 AM
I've been wondering about this. I'm in Florida and just started HRT a month ago, and have been thinking about going, but it's a lot of money for both my wife and me to attend. I've looked at the website, but can't get a feel for what it's like. Has anyone attended before, and is it worth it?
Stephanie
I got no replies, so I'm taking a chance on this. I paid an outrageous amount of money for my wife and me to attend for two days. My wife suggested that we could wait until next year, but now is when I really need the kind of help they're advertising. My unofficial personal timeline puts me way into full-time and past one or two procedures by then.
I'll try to remember to report on the convention afterwards.
Stephanie
Quote from: Steph2.0 on August 15, 2017, 09:35:01 PM
I got no replies, so I'm taking a chance on this. I paid an outrageous amount of money for my wife and me to attend for two days. My wife suggested that we could wait until next year, but now is when I really need the kind of help they're advertising. My unofficial personal timeline puts me way into full-time and past one or two procedures by then.
I'll try to remember to report on the convention afterwards.
Stephanie
Stephanie, I'm sorry I didn't see your post until now. I attended Southern Comfort in 1997, the first time I was ever out in public, and was a staff member of the conference from 1998 to 2002 when the conference was still in Atlanta. I didn't attend again until last year due to life getting in the way. My wife and I were set to attend again this year but as of today, we won't be able to make it. It will be hard to compare last year with this year as it was being held at the Boneventure in Weston, FL. The Boneventure is spread out plus being remote and people weren't really happy about that. This year, everything is concentrated in one building downtown with lots of things close by so we'll see how it goes. Please do post your impressions.
Quote from: BeverlyAnn on August 15, 2017, 11:15:36 PM
This year, everything is concentrated in one building downtown with lots of things close by so we'll see how it goes.
Hi BeverlyAnn,
Can you give me any idea what to expect? One instance: what is "Princess Day?" I'm not really into girly girl stuff. I need practical information for grown up women. Is that the kind of help that you can get in the seminars?
With my wife and me going, our total expenses for just two days of the convention are going to top $600. We really need to squeeze every ounce of practical info out of the weekend as we can. Of course, there
is a lot of value in allowing me to live exclusively as myself for two whole days without that pesky [deadname] around...
Any info you can give is muchly appreciated.
Stephanie
Princess Day is a shopping/lunch/makeover/get your nails done type of day. Be sure, if she's there this year, to take a few minutes and talk to Miss Kitty. She was one of the first people to have surgery at Johns Hopkins back in the 1960s. Also look up Shanti and get to know her. Shanti has been a friend for 20 years and is a marvelous person. Usually there are seminars on various things of interest to newly transitioning people. Many times the information you are looking for can be found by socializing with people in the evenings. I understand about the cost as I had already paid for the conference but, due to some other things, the additional costs are out of reach.
Quote from: BeverlyAnn on August 16, 2017, 04:12:54 PM
Princess Day is a shopping/lunch/makeover/get your nails done type of day. Be sure, if she's there this year, to take a few minutes and talk to Miss Kitty. She was one of the first people to have surgery at Johns Hopkins back in the 1960s. Also look up Shanti and get to know her. Shanti has been a friend for 20 years and is a marvelous person. Usually there are seminars on various things of interest to newly transitioning people. Many times the information you are looking for can be found by socializing with people in the evenings. I understand about the cost as I had already paid for the conference but, due to some other things, the additional costs are out of reach.
Thanks for the information, BeverlyAnn, it really helps. It sounds like it may be just what I need for where I am in transition. I sure need a lot of help right now.
I'll look for the folks you mentioned and let them know you recommended them. It's a shame you can't make it. It would be nice to meet some people from Susan's.
Anyone else going?
Stephanie
I am going to be there Thursday afternoon to Sunday morning.
This will be my third SCC. If you are just starting to transition, you need to go. If you are fully transitioned, then give a little help to the other boys and girls going through what you did.
SCC is really a fun time and a great place to meet people like us.
Quote from: Dani on August 17, 2017, 10:43:02 PM
I am going to be there Thursday afternoon to Sunday morning.
This will be my third SCC. If you are just starting to transition, you need to go. If you are fully transitioned, then give a little help to the other boys and girls going through what you did.
SCC is really a fun time and a great place to meet people like us.
Cool. My wife and I expect to get there about 10am Friday, driving down from the Leesburg area. I see that they've sold out their block of rooms and are adding more. It's starting to sound like I made the right decision to attend.
Stephanie
Quote from: BeverlyAnn on August 16, 2017, 04:12:54 PM
Be sure, if she's there this year, to take a few minutes and talk to Miss Kitty. She was one of the first people to have surgery at Johns Hopkins back in the 1960s
Hi BeverlyAnn,
My wife and I attended a get-together of the local trans support organization last night, and had the good fortune to sit with Miss Kitty when some of us went out afterward. Her presentation is not what could be described as muted, but we found her to be a quiet and extremely intelligent and caring person, with thoughtful insights into our situation. It was a privilege to meet her and be able to talk one-on-one. I told her you said hello.
Stephanie