This attempts to answer most of the frequently-asked questions. If you need additional information, please e-mail: pinkfest@pinkmyst.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 are some of the activities that are planned?
Hey, this looks a lot like the Diva Las Vegas FAQ. What's the deal?
Ok, then, what's the difference between Pinkfest and Diva Las Vegas?
How long has this been going on?
I'm F to M, am I still welcome?
Will there be any vendors there? Are there any shops in the area that cater to TV/CD types?
How do I register and does it cost anything to register?
Where is everybody staying? Is there an official or host hotel?
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 Pinkfest?
When I get to Chicago, 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 Chicago?
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?
Is there any dress code for Pinkfest? What should I plan to bring to wear?
How many people will be attending?
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'm curious about how the weather will be in Chicago during Pinkfest.
What do I need to do if I want more information?
Pinkfest is the name given to an informal get-together of members of the transgendered community, and their friends and guests, which happens in the fall in Chicago, IL, USA.
We eat, drink, and be Mary.
Seriously, we spend a few days just being ourselves and take in the sights and activities of Chicago. There's shopping, dining, shows, clubs, sightseeing, socializing, etc. Read on for some examples of what you can expect.
Here are some of the things we've done in the past and/or have in mind for future Pinkfests:
Pinkfest is a vacation, not a convention.
Pinkfest 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.)
cat dlvfaq.html |sed "s/DLV/Pinkfest/g" >pinkfaq.html
Seriously, Pinkfest was started by some of the same people who first had the idea for Diva Las Vegas back in late 1996. If you've been to DLV, yes, you will see some familiar faces!
Well, obviously, Pinkfest is in Chicago and DLV is in Las Vegas. :)
Pinkfest is in the fall, DLV is in the spring. :)
Let's see, uh, what else? ...
Pinkfest is smaller, and probably will be smaller for at least the next few years. Pinkfest 2003 kind of had the look and feel of DLV 1998.
Pinkfest 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.
The dates for Pinkfest 2007 will be announced in the summer of 2007. Please watch this web site.
The event we know as Pinkfest began in November of 2001. Pinkfest 2004 will be our fourth Pinkfest!
Most definitely !! :)
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 Chicago business community!
There is one shop in Chicago intended primarily for the t* community. However, none of the people attending PF 2001 - 2003 expressed any interest in going there. :)
We'll go if our people want to, however. :)
You are! :)
You register by sending a brief note to pinkfest@pinkmyst.com saying you intend to join us.
There is no registration fee, per se, but everybody's on one's own for such things as:
Recommended hotels, as well as other accommodation items, are announced and discussed on our mailing list.
As always, everybody is free to stay anywhere they choose, if they wish. Some of the people attending visit Chicago frequently and have their own favorite places to stay.
We've had people stay at all kinds of places, from hoity-toity highrise hotels downtown, to economy motels out in the 'burbs. No problems with hotel staff or other patrons were reported.
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, we are not encouraging people who are under the age of 21 to attend.
It is suggested that those who are of age 18 - 20 who want to attend Pinkfest do so immediately 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 they will not be able to accompany the group to several activities.
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 daytime activities might interest them, such as the Planetarium, but we do not recommend bringing them to Pinkfest.
The times and locations of the various activities, along with directions and instructions for locating the group, will be given to those who register. One of the organizers will be carrying a cell phone and a pager, 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.
Yes, we attended a downtown show lounge in both 2001 and 2002.
We have visited several bars and clubs that are known to be t-friendly. Yes, we will be visiting some of these for Pinkfest 2004.
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.
Play it by ear. You will know when you're ready to appear in public.
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 Pinkfest 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.
We 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.
Since most Pinkfest activities occur in general public settings, your dress must be age-appropriate, size-appropriate, and occasion-appropriate; within the bounds of what is usual and customary to be worn by a woman (or man) of your size and age to such an activity.
For the daytime (shopping and touristy things), very casual to casual attire is best, either boymode or girlmode.
For the evening activities, casual to moderately dressy attire, either boymode or girlmode, is acceptable.
More specific discussions on what to bring, and what to wear for the various activities occur in the Pinkfest Mailing List.
Looks like I forgot to edit this one out of the FAQ list. :)
Due to our informal nature, we won't know until just before Pinkfest happens. We'll announce the headcounts in our mailing list.
No, stay away.
Yes, admirers are welcome. We've always been open to anybody who identifies with the theme of Pinkfest, 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.
Anyone of any gender, orientation, and persuasion will most likely be welcome at Pinkfest as long as they behave appropriately and respect the others who will be present.
In 2001 we lucked out, and the temperature hit 70. In 2002 we had one warm evening with cool rainy days. 2003 was cool but not cold. Weather reports will be posted in the mailing list as the date approaches.
Yes, Chicago has been dubbed the Windy City for a reason!
We have a mailing list (e-mail) for those interested in attending the event. To join this mailing list, simply send e-mail to pinkfest@pinkmyst.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.