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.
Stella went on to perform as a female impersonator in America, dyeing her hair blonde and living a life on the stage. "In Drag": The Secret Language of the 19th Century victorian shemales
Some scholars believe the term "drag" originated from theatrical slang, referring to the long petticoats that would "drag" on the floor when men played female roles. Other accounts suggest it was a clandestine way for gay men or gender-nonconforming individuals to express themselves. Beyond the Binary: Trans Masculinity They did not just wear women's clothes for
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. Other accounts suggest it was a clandestine way
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.
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"
Perhaps the most famous case of Victorian cross-dressing involved Ernest Boulton and Frederick Park, known to their friends as Stella and Fanny. In 1870, these two young men were arrested at a London theater dressed as women.