Saturday, June 29, 2019

Female Impersonation


Many people don't realize how different things were in the past. I've seen dramatic change in my lifetime. Here's an example.

It was illegal -- a crime -- for men to dress in women's clothing in New York as recently as the 1970's. "Female impersonation" was against the law and used as a reason to toss thousands of men into jail. (The law was rarely enforced against cis-gender women.)

Gender presentation laws started in American society in 1848 when Columbus, Ohio enacted an ordinance forbidding people from wearing “dress not belonging to his or her sex.” In decades that followed more than forty American cities passed similar laws limiting the clothing people are allowed to wear in public. This wave of laws was specifically aimed at gender presentation.

In many parts of the world, it is still illegal for men and women to wear the clothing of the opposite sex. Even where legal, social opprobrium punishes those crossing the gender line -- condemnation which includes harassment and physical violence.

A surprisingly interesting academic paper from 25 years ago is available here. (Ullman, Sharon R. "'The Twentieth Century Way': Female Impersonation and Sexual Practice in Turn-of-the-Century America." Journal of the History of Sexuality 5, no. 4 (1995): 573-600)

Obviously if you're reading this blog, you don't have a problem with me violating custom (and a former law). Why do you think society previously outlawed cross-dressing? What were people scared of? What were they trying to accomplish by forbidding it?

19 comments:

  1. This dress is stunning! Is this the bespoke piece?

    If someone finds joy in dressing a certain way why should I deny them joy? As long as they aren't hurting anyone else it shouldn't even be an issue.

    I do think that in general people are scared of what they don't understand and they find it confusing.

    Suzanne
    http://www.suzannecarillo.com

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    1. Yes, Suzanne. This is the dress Aimee made for me.

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  2. Exactly! What was the point of the law and what were they trying to accomplish? I think everyone should dress in what they feel comfortable in and what makes them happy!

    Jill - Doused in Pink

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  3. I may be wrong but I think it has to do with religion and people's Bible interpretation.

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    1. Most social problems stem from religious intolerance.

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  4. This dress is so incredibly stunning on you, ally. You look so pretty in this photo!

    I’m not sure why that is but I’m glad that we’ve been combed enough to bend and change some older antiquated laws. It’s amazing to me since so many actors performed Shakespeare’s plays by cross dressing.

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  5. That is a great dress and it looks wonderful on you.
    Those laws, like many, reflect different times and different attitudes. Live life in the present and try not to be too judgmental of mores of the past.

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    1. Yeah but... I lived during that past time and this social attitude severely inhibited my life. So I'm resentful about it. Thank you for the nice compliment. Sorry to be negative; my comment's aimed at others, not you, of course.

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  6. I have no answers to those questions. I remember even as a Teen wondering why it was perfectly okay for me to borrow and wear my Dad or Brother's Shirts in public... but if a young Man wanted to borrow and wear his Mom or Sister's clothing it would have been taboo.

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  7. Close-mindedness, fear of something or someone "different" from them... It was awful (and still is, because while we've progressed since the 1800's, we still have a long way to go as a society).

    I think if you want to wear something, WEAR IT. No matter if it's for your "gender" or not. Go for it, have fun, and feel good about yourself!

    -Ashley
    Le Stylo Rouge

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  8. I find those laws rather strange … why would you concentrate on something like that instead of making a real difference in the world.

    I am LOVING that dress on you … although I think it should come to my house!!!!!

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    1. I'll be right over! Put the tea kettle on. :-)

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  9. That dress is aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamazing!!!! You look so pretty!!! I find it bizarre about the clothing prohibition!!!

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    1. I'm doing a big photoshoot with this dress next month.

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  10. Don't get me started on this subject what people do when they are scared or faced with the unknown. The Dutch saying is: unknown=unloved. What you don't know, you fear. And if one man out of fear comes up with such a plan, the others don't dare not to support it in fear of being mocked by. This applies to many things/acts.
    You, my dear, look splendid in this dress. Such a cute one.
    Greetje

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    1. Glad you understand. Thanks for the smart comment.

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