PORT ANGELES — Billed as the “Pacific Northwest’s premiere transgender convention,” Esprit is in full swing this week, and the participants are happy to be back in Port Angeles.
Since 1990, members of transgender communities from Seattle, Portland, Ore., and Vancouver, B.C., have met each year at the Red Lion Hotel, and organizers don’t see that changing anytime soon.
“The people are so nice, the view is wonderful and the Red Lion inn is great,” Esprit Secretary Karen Williams said.
Members of the Seattle-based transgender group Emerald City chose Port Angeles 21 years ago with some trepidation, Williams said.
“It’s a logging town,” she said.
“We were worried we might get beat up.”
The organization eventually decided to give the town a chance, and participants said they were pleasantly surprised by the reception.
A few high school-age teens hooted and catcalled, but there were no major problems, she said.
Today, residents openly expect the annual presence of more than 150 tall, deep-voiced, large-handed women.
“The way it is now, it’s open and accepting,” Williams said.
“Everyone knows about it. It’s like the swallows returning to Capistrano.”
Many similar conventions are held in large cities, often rotated among cities where members live.
At one time, Esprit organizers considered doing the same, but found compelling reasons to stay in Port Angeles.
Williams said Port Angeles is big enough to support the convention, but small enough to seem contained — so that convention guests are less likely to wander off to other interesting events.
While in Port Angeles, Esprit attendees take classes such self-defense, makeup, sewing, style and dance.
But it’s the after-hours camaraderie at the Red Lion that is often what is most valuable, Williams said.
Trips to Hurricane Ridge, Victoria and a winery are offered for those who want to see what the area offers beyond the classes and activities at the hotel.
There’s also shopping downtown, and many merchants welcome Esprit participants with special promotions and merchandise.
A supportive Port Angeles has meant freedom for some guests who are unable to be “out” in their home communities.
“I have an overwhelming desire to dress, to be that person I want to be,” Michelle said, “but to please society you have to have this facade.”
Michelle, who said she is completely closeted at home so she didn’t give her last name, organizes the Esprit fashion show.
She visits stores in Port Angeles to provide a fresh, new look each year, expanding horizons long denied.
“It’s so fun interacting,” she said. “Port Angeles has these great big welcome arms.
“You can’t imagine how easy it is to be in this town.”
Port Angeles residents have also embraced one of Esprit’s offshoots, the transgender cover band, The Nasty Habits.
The Nasty Habits is not a part of the convention, but members of the band are part of the community, Williams said.
“On their own they rolled off into taverns,” Williams said.
The shows serve as a bridge between the transgender community, which attends the band’s performances in a show of support, while local residents who simply enjoy the music join in the fun.
The Nasty Habits will perform at 9 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Bar N9ne, 229 W. First St.
“It’s a place to mingle,” Williams said. “We all like the band.”