SCC 2007

Each year after attending Southern Comfort I tried to express in words and with photos just how much I enjoyed the experience, and this year is no different. I arrived at the hotel early on Tuesday, September 11, and even before I left home I couldn't help but be reminded of how special that date has become to many of us. I attended my first SCC in 2000 and was overwhelmed by the number of participates, so much so that I hesitated leaving my room. The conference was at the Hilton in Buckhead and it was a totally new experience for me and one that I will never forget. The following year the conference moved to the Sheraton in Midtown because frankly we needed a lot more room. Unfortunately, events just prior to the conference prevented many from attending and while the numbers were less than the year before those of us who were able to attend enjoyed ourselves while keeping in mind that the world we lived in had suddenly changed and that the violence that commonly occurred in other places had touched us at home. Six years after that event a lot has changed in the world as we are involved in a struggle against the forces which would destroy our way of life, terrorism and the forces of insanity that have led us into another conflict in which our young men and women are placed in harms way and no one seems to know what to do to resolve the situation. Somewhere between September 11, 2001 and September 11, 2007 our leaders have failed us and frankly I am pissed! So here I am once again at SCC exactly six years to the day and like then at a new hotel, the Crown Plaza Ravinia, and while I planned on enjoying the experience I couldn't help but be reminded that while we thought we were going to be draining the swamp, we now find ourselves up to our ass in alligators! And all the smart people in Washington still don't have a clue as to what we should do or how to do it!

Anyway getting back to SCC, the theme for Southern Comfort Conference 2007 was "One Community, One Family" and what that meant to me was that we are all members of the Transgender Community and despite our individual differences and this is our family. This year it was my plan to have the best time ever at SCC and I believe without a doubt I did. I know this because here I am nearly one week after the conference I am still on a roller coaster ride of highs and lows, which is something I have not felt in many years. This years SCC committee as always did an excellent job of planning the conference plus they also had to deal with working with a new hotel and staff and with the exception of a few hiccups, this was most definitely the best SCC I have attended. I give a lot of credit to the SCC committee, but also I have to give credit to the 850 plus registered attendees as well as those who stopped by the hotel for the day or evening. So, below are some photos from Southern Comfort Conference 2007 and some of the people who made it such a great success and a fun week.

Tuesday Evening