PORT ANGELES — Almost 200 people from as far as New Zealand are gathering this week for the city’s largest convention, the Esprit Gala.
They will fill the waterfront Red Lion Hotel where they have gathered for the past 14 years, attend classes by renowned professionals in several fields, and have the chance to be themselves at one of the country’s premier transgendered conventions.
“For many of the attendees, this is about the only time they get out,” Suzanne Adams, secretary for this year’s Esprit committee, said last week.
The conference draws people from throughout the transgendered spectrum — from heterosexual men who enjoy dressing as women to those who have undergone “sexual reassignment” surgery to change their genders.
They risk losing their families and their jobs, so it’s important that they maintain their confidentiality, Adams said.
The week’s lineup of classes includes everything from makeup and hairstyling to exploring the “mysteries of girl talk” and learning about genital reassignment surgery from a Colorado-based surgeon.
Programs for spouses
Esprit is also one of the only transgender conventions that offers programs for spouses.
Last year, between 25 and 35 spouses attended, Adams said.
