Vintage photos of ‘drag queens’ before it was safe to be out and proud
Brigham Morris Young
Here’s a collection of historical “drag queens” dating back to the 1800s and then onwards. The reason I’m using “drag queen” in double quotes is because I’m not entirely sure if these people were transgender, cross-dressers, dressing up as women for theatrical purposes or just for the of fun it. The information is very limited for each image. Either way, they’re all gorgeous and seem quite comfortable with themselves in front of a lens during a time when society looked down on such self-expression.
Frederick Park and Ernest Boulton AKA “Fanny and Stella.”
Yale students
Vaudeville performer Julian Eltinge
Civil War era
Victor C. Seguro
German crossdresser, Paul Storsberg
Scott Barrie
Lili Elbe was a transgender woman and one of the first known and historically identifiable recipients of sex reassignment surgery.
Sources: vintage crossdressing, Little Things, Matthew’s Island of Misfit Toys
Previously on Dangerous Minds:
Julian Eltinge: America’s first drag superstar