Previous Meetings and Events
Meetings in 2005
Saturday, December 10, 2005
We had a great turnout this year for our Holiday Banquet! The food was good, and we had several speakers,
including Angelica DeVil, who delivered the keynote address. Angelica also won the
Transie Award, and
Jenny Zoeler won the Doorknob Award. Our Chair, Laura Beth Wages,
brought plenty of Christmas music to set the festive mood. Our Vice Chair, Roxanne Fox, and our Events
Director, Shayna Aubrey, did a great job of organizing the event and keeping everyone on the same page.
This year, we discounted tickets for those who bought them early, and considering the high number of
early ticket sales, we'll probably do it again in 2006. If you couldn't make it this year, be looking
for the announcement of next year's ticket prices sometime during the Summer of 2006. If for no other
reason, you've got to be there next year to see who's wearing what! 
Saturday, November 12, 2005
We ate. 
Well, we also held the business part of the meeting, but the Thanksgiving party is mainly about
food and socializing, so we zipped through the business part.
Saturday, October 8, 2005
We had a good turnout for our annual Halloween party, and congratulations
go to Lee the Pirate for winning the costume contest. Also, Don from
Timely Treasures was present to take
professional photos. We appreciate his setting up shop at our meeting, because several
of our members prefer to have photo sessions in a private location.
We also had a group discussion about being out in public cross dressed, or, for some, as one's
adjusted (true) gender, including the various dos and don'ts, personal experiences, getting started,
etc. We intend to have more open discussions on various TG-related topics in future meetings.
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Lisa A. Beavers, Ph.D. and a Licensed Professional Counselor, spoke with our group
about therapy for transgender and other LGBT patients. We thank her for her time and
sharing her background and experiences. For more information, you may contact her
office at the address below.
1231 A, 17th Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37212
phone: 615-322-9559
website: www.havencounseling.org
Saturday, August 13, 2005
We said goodbye to long-time members Patrick and Christy this month. Christy took a new job in
another state, so she and Patrick will be moving before the next meeting. We hate to see them go,
because they have been great friends to so many of us, as well as valued contributors to our group.
We wish them both the best, and we hope to see them whenever they come back to visit family and
friends. We also welcomed a few new members and first-timers.
The picnic/cookout was held at the normal meeting site, and we had a great turnout. It had
rained earlier in the day, but the weather cleared up in plenty of time for Shayna to get the
grill going. Thank you to Shayna, Roxie, and all others who helped plan, organize, cook, and
setup/cleanup the dining area.
The amendments to the Bylaws were accepted by the membership, and the Charter will be filed
with the State in a few days. Following that, the new corporation will file for tax-exempt status
under §501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code.
Saturday, July 9, 2005
Several Vals members participated in the talent show, which included singing, dancing,
and stand-up comedy. Photos were taken, and we hope to get them posted, soon.
The Bylaws are being amended to put the Vals in position to qualify for tax-exempt
status under §501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The vote on the adoption of
these amendments was postponed until the August 13, 2005 general meeting, so that more
members, who missed the announcement last month, would have a chance to vote on them.
Saturday, June 11, 2005
The talent show rescheduled for July 9, 2005.
The regular meeting focused on both the direction of the Vals, specifically, and the transgender
community, in general.
The Board of Directors is going to intensify efforts to encourage Vals members to participate
in various Vals and LGBT events, including attendance at regular Vals meetings. Members will be
notified by e-mail and/or telephone of upcoming events, in an effort to improve communication
between the Board and the general membership. As usual, events will also be announced at regular
monthly meetings, in the monthly newsletter, and on the website.
The amendment to the Bylaws creating the position of Website Director was officially
adopted, and other proposed amendments regarding the incorporation of the Tennessee
Vals were announced. The latest amendments will be voted on at the July 9, 2005 meeting,
and if adopted, the Charter creating a nonprofit public benefit corporation will be filed
with the Tennessee Secretary of State's office. The Vals will then seek tax-exempt status
under §501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Various TG-related political issues were also discussed. As a nonprofit and non-political
organization, the Tennessee Vals does not endorse political candidates or parties, nor does
the organization take political positions. However, individual Vals members who want to get
involved in transgender politics may contact the Tennessee Transgender Political Action Committee
at http://tenntg.com/.
Saturday, May 14, 2005
Two Metro Nashville Police Officers from West Precinct, Sgt. Tawana Chick and Sgt. Connie Tripp, spoke and fielded questions on a wide range of topics concerning the TG Community, as well as general law enforcement and legal issues. The Vals thank Sgts. Chick and Tripp for spending time with our group and conducting one of the most informative question and answer sessions we've ever experienced.