Frequently Asked Questions and Rules

Here are some quick answers to the most frequently asked questions and a summary of Esprit's Rules of Conduct.

What is Esprit?
How long has Esprit been going on?
Who usually chooses to attend Esprit?
Who else is allowed to attend?
Who can participate in the SO Program?
What makes Esprit unique?
What does the community think of Esprit?
What does the registration fee cover?
What if I can't afford the registration fee?
Where is Esprit held?
Is the setting safe?
Is a passport required?
What is the dress code?
What clothing and how much should I bring?
Where can I get more clothing while at Esprit?
Can I sell anything?
What are the ground rules for socializing and meeting people?
What is the photo policy?

Rules of Conduct

Presentation: Attendees are required to present a feminine or masculine gender without ambiguity. When presenting as a female, you must be clean-shaven, wearing makeup as needed, and conducting yourself as a proper lady. When presenting as a male, you must conduct yourself as a gentleman and are not allowed to wear exclusively feminine attire (for example, dresses). It is not necessary to stick to one presentation during your entire stay.
Personal interactions: Esprit is both an educational and social event and you may associate with others in mutually agreeable ways. However, behavior that is perceived as offensive or intrusive to Esprit attendees, Esprit officers, hotel staff, or the general public will not be tolerated.
Photo policy: Attendees who desire to not be photographed should request a "no photo" badge sticker and alert potential photographers as needed. All camera owners must respect the wishes of those who do not wish to be photographed.

What is Esprit? Esprit is an educational conference for all people on the gender spectrum (crossdressers to transsexuals and everyone in between) with an emphasis towards educational programs and self-discovery for those with male-to-female interests. The conference also includes a variety of social and tourist activities. [more information] [Back to top]

How long has Esprit been going on? Esprit started in 1989 in Port Angeles and has been running annually without interruption ever since. It is held in the middle of May each year.[more information] [Back to top]

Who usually chooses to attend Esprit? Esprit is primarily attended by male-to-female transgendered individuals. A few dozen significant others attend to participate in the SO educational program or to provide emotional support for their transgendered primary attendee. Female-to-male attendees have often participated though in small numbers due to the MTF slant of the conference material. Several dozen Resource Providers (intructors, service providers, product vendors, etc.) also attend. [Back to top]

Who else is allowed to attend? In general, you must be a registered attendee with a genuine interest in discovering or growing your transgendered identity. The conference is open to FTM attendees (just as the mainly FTM Gender Odyssey conference in Seattle is also open to MTF attendees). Significant others (typically spouses, boyfriends/girlfriends, or family members) may attend as part of the Significant Other Program. Resource Providers (instructors, service providers, product vendors, etc.) must be registered through our Resource Coordinator in order to gain access to the hotel grounds and attendees. A few events are open to the public with certain restrictions which may include ticket sales, invited guests, approval by a local security guard familiar with Port Angeles residents, etc. [Back to top]

Who can participate in the SO Program? Any couple who meets the 1 year cohabitation requirement or is legally recognized can obtain the SO registration rates. However, attendance in the SO course offerings is typically limited only to genetic female partners of attendees. This is to ensure that this group of SO's has a safe and open place in which to discuss and address their concerns. [Back to top]

What makes Esprit unique? Esprit is one of the longest-running TG conventions in the US and has developed a stellar reputation as a small, friendly, and supportive setting especially well-suited to those early in the coming-out process. The superb Significant Other program is facilitated by nationally known experts and counselors and provides an intensive series of sessions that deal with SO concerns and relationships as a whole. [Back to top]

What does the community think of Esprit? The connections with the Port Angeles community are well-developed and backed by strong personal friendships between Esprit officers and community members ranging from the Chamber of Commerce to individual business owners. The business community loves us for obvious reasons because of the business we bring to town. The local paper runs several favorable articles about Esprit every year. We also open our doors for certain events and allow members of the public to attend some of our parties, and a top-notch all-TG dance band plays at several bars in town during the week of Esprit to standing-room crowds. [more information] [Back to top]

What does the registration fee cover? The fee covers your attendance to all classes, social activities, community-hosted activities such as guided walking tours of galleries and stores, and a designated set of meals. There are a few exceptions to note: the fee does not cover any items or services you may wish to purchase from service providers (e.g. makeup, manicure, books), does not cover optional activities noted as requiring an additional fee (e.g. ferry ticket to Victoria, High Tea service), and does not cover room or additional meals beyond those specified in the registration package. [more information] [Back to top]

What if I can't afford the registration fee? Esprit offers a needs-based Scholarship Program that is funded by contributions from previous attendees and our Resource Providers. Those in need of assistance can apply for scholarship support. Don't be shy about applying; your application is held in confidence and our donors are eager to help you share the experience. [more information] [Back to top]

Where is Esprit held? Esprit is held in Port Angeles, Washington. The largest hotel in Port Angeles is the Red Lion and has been the site for Esprit since 1989. [more information] [Back to top]

Is the setting safe? Port Angeles is a quiet and safe town and the businesses and police are well aware of and look forward to our arrival. Traveling or walking in town during the day is perfectly safe. As in any location, you should avoid walking alone in the evening (there is a lively and sometimes rowdy bar scene to be aware of). [Back to top]

Is a passport required? It depends on whether you are traveling across the US-Canada border or if you plan to participate in the optional trip to Victoria for sightseeing and High Tea at The Empress Hotel. A US citizen who does not cross the border is generally the only case where a passport is not required. Any non-US citizen or anyone who crosses the border will almost certainly need a passport. However, we are unable to provide specific advice and we recommend that you review current rules that apply to your situation. [more information] [Back to top]

What is the dress code? As long as you remember that you represent your transgendered community, must present yourself in a way that fits either male or female gender norms, and are in a public setting, you will be on the right track. It is not necessary to spend the entire time in one gender. For example, it is perfectly fine to present differently on your first and last days if your travel arrangements require it. [Back to top]

What clothing and how much should I bring? Some attendees bring multiple high-fashion outfits for every day or extra suitcases of clothes to ensure they have enough to choose from for any occasion. Others choose to be more casual and opt for just enough comfortable and practical clothing to get through the week. [Back to top]

Where can I get more clothing while at Esprit? Port Angeles has many large stores such as a Wal-Mart, medium sized department stores such as Gottschalks and Maurices, and many small clothing, jewelry, accessory, and shoe stores. There are several thrift stores such as Goodwill. All of these business look forward to your patronage and you should look for special Esprit-only open house events and coupons posted in the Registration Area. In addition, Esprit offers two full rooms of free clothing, shoes, accessories, and miscellaneous items in our Clothing Boutique donated by other attendees. Note that first-time attendees have exclusive access to the boutique early in the week. [Back to top]

Can I sell anything? Only registered Resource Providers are allowed to conduct business on hotel property. [Back to top]

What are the ground rules for socializing and meeting people? Esprit is an educational event and not a pick-up place. However, Esprit is also a place to make new friends and it is perfectly OK to make friends and exchange information in a mutually agreeable way. Esprit occurs on private property, in a public setting, and both the hotel's and Esprit's rules of conduct apply. Offensive or intrusive behavior by attendees or visitors will not be tolerated. [Back to top]

What is the photo policy?

Esprit respects the need of its attendees for confidentiality but recognizes that at an event such as this many photographs will be taken.

Attendees who do not wish to be photographed must get a "no photos" sticker from the registration desk when they register and attach it to their ID badge so that it will be visible to prospective photographers. However, this in itself is not a guarantee that other attendees will not photograph them and everyone is asked to be aware and to ask questions if in doubt.

If you are wearing a sticker, official Esprit photographers will respect your wishes. Your photo will not appear in any Esprit-produced material. If you are not wearing a sticker, your photo may appear in Esprit-related publications such as the Yearbook (distributed to Esprit attendees only) and on-site multimedia presentations shown only during Esprit.

If you are comfortable with your likeness appearing in media accessible to the public, such as news releases, website articles, or in Esprit promotional material, release forms are available from the registration desk.

Esprit asks that attendees also respect the wishes of their fellow attendees, but cannot enforce this policy upon them. Please consider those appearing in the background of your photos as well as your subjects.

At events where the public is invited, signs will be posted asking that no photos at all be taken except by Esprit photographers and attendees. Again, this is only a request as it cannot be enforced. [Back to top]

ESPRIT, ESPRIT GALA and ESPRIT 2009 relate only to the yearly transgender conference
held in Port Angeles, WA. The conference and organization is not associated or connected
with the global apparel company Esprit or its marks.

(c) 2001-2009 CNE Transventions All rights reserved.