I live in Atlanta and Southern Comfort has improved dramatically since I first attended in 2000. However, this will be the first time I will miss it. My oldest son is getting married on that weekend is southern California.

Amazing. Straight people actually get married in California. Who would have thunk it? I guess it takes all kinds. My son is straight and I tell him we all have our crosses to bear.

Serena, I'm not going to Southern Comfort, but thank you for mentioning the documentary [i]Still Black: A Portrait of Black Transmen[/i]. This looks to be an amazing film. Since there is little chance of it coming to Iowa, I guess I have DVD purchase in my future. :)

Welcome to SCC.

At the Planning meeting yesterday it was announced that all the block of roomd for the conference in the hotel are now taken. There is another hotel that has agreed to give the same rate as the conference hotel about 1/4 mile away. If you go to the Southern Comfort conference web page or the Southern Comfort Conference yahoo group, someone should be able to point you to the overflow hotel.

I will be there the entire week as I live in the area. It will be difficult to find a day and time to have a Bilerico get together. I would suggest maybe an informal reception at the Chip Shot, similar to what is being done Monday evening to kick off SCC.

And don't forget the Job Expo (not a job fair) to aquaint the trans community with companies that are accepting and supportive of out transgender employees.

And for those that are planning on attending but have not yet purchased conference tickets, prices go up Sept. 1 and again Sept 10.

I will be there, at least so far, to represent This Is HOW, the halfway house for transfolk of which I am now the assistant Director.

I'd *love* to do a gathering. I will be outside the convention proper, as I will, um, also be meeting the complications of my life.

Transportation is still being arranged, but things appear to be a go.

I'm about 50-50 in terms of whether I'll be at SCC. What may make me actually do the six hour drive from Da Ville to the ATL is that there's a large group of African-American transpeople planning to show up for SCC this year, so I'm seriously thinking about it.

I wish I could go, but I work Saturdays/Sundays, and haven't been in job long enough to take off yet, plus Susan is speaking for my first vacation, when eligible. I've been to 6 SCCs, and it is, quite literally, where the T community meets each year (along with IFGE in spring) to have fun, party, network, teach, and learn. Highly recommended.

Serena, and all others going, have fun.

Monica H, I wish the best to your son and his bride.