The case of Boulton and Park is significant because their correspondence contains the first known usage of the phrase "in drag". It was common practice for men in the 19th century to dress in women's clothing, often for private parties or in music halls.
While cross-dressing men (male-to-female) often made headlines due to scandals, women crossing into male attire (female-to-male) were also prevalent, though often viewed differently by the public. victorian shemales
Despite overwhelming evidence of their cross-dressing and relationships with men, they were acquitted, in part because the jury couldn't prove the sexual act itself. The case of Boulton and Park is significant
When we think of the Victorian era (1837–1901), our minds often conjure images of repressed sexuality, strict corsets, and rigid gender roles. It was a time that defined itself by "separate spheres"—men in public, women in private. Yet, beneath this veneer of extreme propriety, the 19th century was rife with gender-bending, drag, and individuals challenging the binary, some of whom would be understood today as transgender or gender-diverse. Yet, beneath this veneer of extreme propriety, the
They did not just wear women's clothes for theatrical performances; they lived as women in public, using the ladies' lavatories and even attracting male admirers.
While modern terminology like "transgender" did not exist, the lived experiences of those crossing gender lines were vibrant, dangerous, and surprisingly common. Fanny and Stella: The "He/She Ladies"
The newspapers dubbed them the "He/She Ladies," and they were charged with conspiring to commit "sodomy," a criminal offense.