Greetings from the Keystone Conference! As I write this article, it is Saturday, March 22, and I’m in my room at the Harrisburg Hilton. I’m getting ready for —and looking forward to — the big Gala Dinner tonight! But I’m actually here to tell you about all the fun things that happened on Friday at the conference.
After a wonderful lunch, CDH held our annual Keystone Meet-Up. I swear, we had more CDH members per square inch in that room than at any time in our site’s history! Literally dozens of our lovely ladies were there, and everyone looked fabulous! Many were first time attendees — including myself! It was so overwhelming seeing people I have known for years — and meeting them for the first time! What a thrill!
Kelly Rhoads was our Mistress of Ceremonies. She started off by reading a welcome message, written by our founder herself, Vanessa Law. Here’s an excerpt:
Ladies, welcome to the Crossdresser Heaven get together at Keystone … A conference is a special time. A time to express yourself, make friends and build memories that last a lifetime. And as much as the world has changed, one thing hasn’t — the courage it takes to live an authentic life, to be who you are even if it’s met with disapproval by society. Each of you has shown the strength to be graceful. The fortitude to let your beauty shine. And the boldness to step elegantly into the world.
Following this, we had an award ceremony, where some of our staff received medals. Yes, my friends, CDH has medals! The “Guardian of Our Gals” medals (see photo). Starting last year at Keystone, we awarded medals to some of our moderators in attendance. Those who work so tirelessly behind the scenes to make CDH a safe and secure place. Here is a little more from Vanessa’s welcoming message:
Today there are many Crossdresser Heaven Ambassadors here with you. These are special ladies who volunteer their time to keep our community safe and welcoming. They help members new and old feel that our home is also their home. As you know, keeping a good home also involves less glamorous tasks, such as cleaning the dishes and taking out the trash. While you may not always see it, each of these wonderful ladies — and especially those earning medals tonight — have taken on these tasks to keep Crossdresser Heaven a place we are all proud to call a home.
This year I presented medals to Fran LaRosa and Kimmie for their work in Media. Melodee awarded a medal to Patty Williams for her work in Chat.
And the best thing about this Medal Ceremony? None of the recipients knew ahead of time that they were going to receive medals!
Surprise!
Immediately following the meet-up, CDH hosted a workshop: Tips for a More Feminine Appearance with Your Sisters from CDH. The participants were Alex Kline, Kelly Rhoads, and Trixie Valentine (see photo). And I have to tell you, I attended this workshop simply with the intent of writing this article about it. But I wound up learning a lot!
Alex talked about shapewear. I found her discussion of the use of adhesive in breast forms to be enlightening. She also took a deep dive into the basics of press-on nails. I don’t use them myself, but after hearing her talk about their advantages, I might give them a try!
Kelly talked about wigs, including the pros and cons of synthetic versus real hair. Plus a useful discussion of how to clean your wigs. Kelly also discussed accessories, and gave what I think was the most useful bit of advice at the workshop: the use of magnets to open and close necklaces. No more fumbling with those teeny tiny clamps and hooks!
Trixie talked about makeup, and it was eye-opening! She discussed makeup fundamentals I had never heard of. Things like primer, color-corrector, and setting spray. But what really opened my eyes was her advice to just go to makeup salespeople and simply ask for help — even in male mode — and how friendly and helpful they will be answering your questions and showing you what to do. Trixie also gave a tutorial on posture, movement, and confidence. I know full well that, regardless of how feminine you look, if you walk and gesture like a man, it’s a dead giveaway. Trixie didn’t just give great advice on all of this. She walked the walk. I mean … literally. She demonstrated the right and wrong way to walk as a woman right there in front of us.
Overall, it was a lively workshop, and the best part is that everyone was engaged. Not only did attendees ask important questions, but many of the audience members also provided their own useful tips. Truly, it was an event that was as fun as it was informative.
So that’s my report on a very vibrant and thrilling Friday at Keystone. Honestly, and I say this without exaggeration, it was one of the best days of my life.
Now, if you excuse me, I need to get ready for the big Gala Dinner tonight.
Where did I put my nail polish? …
Thank you for sharing! I appreciate the window into the events. I hope we learn more about the awards and who we should be grateful to and for! I wish I could have attended the seminars!
I have a confession to make. There were a lot of workshops and seminars. And I’m sure they were wonderful. But that’s not why I attended Keystone.
I went to socialize! To meet my CDH friends in person!
Thanks for writing this very descriptive piece, Angela. I would not be at all surprised if this spurs lots more of our members, certainly on your side of the pond, to join you all next year.
Surprised, to say the least, is how I felt when Liz and Ellie presented me with my medal last October. It’s a great family to belong to and a pleasure to do what we can to keep it this way.
Allie x
It really was fun to surprise Fran, Kimmie, and Patty with their medals. I mean, Fran didn’t even know that these medals even existed. Let alone that she would receive one!
@theunrealangelawagner
Excellent! (In my best Monty Burns impersonation)
@theunrealangelawagner All of you ladies richly deserved the awards that you got. Thank you for all of your hard work. Hugs, Marg
That’s a great read thanks for taking the time out of your precious ‘getting ready for the gala dinner’ evening to write it – it sounds like everything went really well and it’s fantastic for those of us who couldn’t be there to hear all about it 🙏💕
Last year I kept reading how everyone at Keystone had such a wonderful experience. That it was amazing.
So I just had to go and experience for my self. And you know what?
It was amazing!
I’m definitely going to try to save up and come next year . And also who would have thought magnets on jewellery that’s genius !
I’m planning on coming to London next year. But don’t tell anyone. Right now it’s a secret.
Ohhhh yayyyy that’s v exciting ! Don’t worry your secret is safe with me ….🤪
@Laura New @theunrealangelawagner
Wait … what? You’re coming to London?
*shouts*
HEY EVERYONE! ANGELA’S COMING TO LONDON!
*Laura digs Ellie sharply in the ribs with her elbow*
Ow! …what?
A secret?
Who said it’s a secr … oh.
@Ellie Davis ummmmm Angela look what she just did ….
BAD Ellie ! Where’s the girl code hmmmmm 🤷♀️🤪💕
Who’s Angela?! LOL 😆 🥰
You can buy those magnets very inexpensively on Amazon. Once you hook them into the necklace, taking the necklace on or off is a breeze!
@bellaz76
Quite a bit of the jewellery that Tracey Galligan at Femme Side uses for photoshoots has magnetic clasps.
🧲
Will deffo look into this , I’m always getting so frustrated with necklaces
Angela, those of us who are not able to attend Keystone are grateful to read this article you posted and are looking forward to more updates. Thank you Dear.
Kerri, I’ve created a private photo gallery that will contain tons of pictures from Keystone. I’ve already posted a few, and I’ll be adding a lot more!
I never thought all these topics had been considered it the conference, I’m so happy that everything has been done according with the schedule and at the same time have enjoyed all this wonderful experience.
I’m so motivated to moving forward and be prepared for the next KS at 2026, it would be nice meet in person all this magnificent persons I met online here at CDH website, my home.
Keystone 2026, here I go!!!!
It’s good to plan, Odeth. I knew I was going to attend Keystone 2025 all the way back in 2023.
I am so glad to be here. I am so proud of being part of CDH. Keystone was my first door to walk out to freedom. I walked out from this workshop feeling I needed a better wig so I bought a beautiful one on Saturday for the Gala. I think I deserved the investment and I have to say I love it. So thanks, Kelly, for the motivation. I am really happy to share this beautiful time with you all. Seeing some sisters once more and meeting new ones. I really have a great time. I love you all,… Read more »
@firefly It was fun sitting with you at dinner on Saturday Gisela and yes, your hair was beautiful. Hugs, Marg
@Marg Produe Yes, Marg. We really have a great time. Thank you!
Angela, I think you can add another hat , I think #10 to your other duties here at CDH: “a reporter extraordinaire” .. thank you for sharing your article with such detail… I thought I was there (definitely Keystone 2026 though)
it’s dedicated sisters like yourself that makes CDH so special.. Thank you again for all you do! Leonara🌹
I appreciate the kind words, Leonara.
When I was asked by Alex to write an article about the CDH workshop, I really did approach it as a reporter. I brought a clipboard and paper, and took notes throughout the presentation. I guess I was also a photojournalist. Because I took a lot of pictures during the presentation too. I chose one of those to be the main photo for this article.
So I appreciate you referring to me as a reporter. Because that’s how I felt.
Thank you for sharing Angela, it sounds like y’all are having a wonderful time at Keystone! It’s amazing to hear how so many members of Crossdresser Heaven were there, and especially how many first timers!
Thank you for helping to organize the get together and ceremony, and to all the ladies who helped make it a success!
I appreciate you taking the time to comment, Vanessa. You created a wonderful community where so many of us can thrive and grow. It is such a vibrant community, that we are able to do so many things outside of this website. Such as going to conferences and meeting each other. These things wouldn’t be possible, or at least not as fulfilling, without the camaraderie we all share here at CDH.
❤️
Thanks so much for writing this, and what a wonderful job you did! I would totally agree with you that the best part of the workshops was the attendees. The way everyone participated and offered their insights just showed a glimpse of the great community at cdh. A group of people lifting up, encouraging, and supporting each other was amazing to watch!
@Alex I got a pocket full of sunshine Kline You did a great job, girl. Total natural, as I knew you would be! 💖
@Melodee Aww thanks, I….thought it went extremely well! Lol. Thanks so much for attending everyone’s support really meant a lot.
Alex, to be honest, I thought the workshop was going to basically be a question and answer session. And that was, in fact, a part of it. But once I was there, it was clearly so much more. You, Kelly, and Trixie all made such marvelous presentations. It was really a workshop AND a seminar. And all the more successful because of it.
Molly Knight Baroness March 23, 2025 9:01 pm Eminent Member New Jersey,United States of America Joined: 3 months ago Hi gals, I was there. My first at KS and only my second time out. The first was in PTown last October. But once I navigated that, I felt like I could do anything. So KS appeared and I jumped in. And what a great decision! I arrived Thursday afternoon. Once I navigated the parking garage, I was in the hotel check in area. As I entered, I immediately, I said this is where I belong. I saw gorgeous girls walking… Read more »
You did a magnificent job of getting your girl on Molly!
It was my first Keystone and my second conference. Atlanta started the ball rolling for me. Spending a few days enfem is Pink Fog Heaven! 🥰
Fran, Thank you very much! I too am still in the Pink Fog. May it never lift
Keep those Pink tinted glasses on girl! 🥰