![]() ![]() The attorney convinces a judge to drop the charges by arguing that the ordinance was enforced unfairly.Īfter the 1969 Halloween arrests, the Mandrake Society holds an annual “Mandrake Ball” to serve as a symbolic protest and promote drag performance.ĭuring this time, St. Louis’s earliest known gay rights organization, steps in to help by raising bail money and arranging for an attorney to represent the people who were arrested. On Halloween night in 1969, police arrest nine people for violating the masquerading ordinance shortly after they leave the Onyx Room, a gay bar in Midtown. The event is still held annually and exemplifies the longstanding tradition of drag balls in African American communities across the United States. The Jolly Jester’s organization begins to incorporate drag performances into its annual Miss Fannie’s Artists Ball at the Prince Hall Masonic Lodge on Olive Street. Unfortunately, the judge rules against her. Owner Mabel Thorpe fights to have the license reinstated and argues that female impersonation is a “legitimate” form of entertainment. Louis’ earliest known gay bars - Dante’s Inferno on Olive Street in Midtown - advertises female impersonator entertainment.Ī club at the Blackstone Hotel on Olive has its liquor license revoked in part due to performances by female impersonators. Stanley Rogers photographed by Todd Studios. Louis and was photographed by Todd Studios. In 1928, noted female impersonator Stanley Rogers appeared in St. An 1880 ad for Pope’s Theatre features female impersonator Chas Heywood as a headline act. An 1877 ad for the Globe Theatre promotes the appearance of Stella Bertram as a male impersonator. An 1874 story notes the female impersonator Ernest Byne is performing at the Opera House. Louis is a major stop on the vaudeville circuit, with dozens of theaters and playhouses. Louisans put themselves in danger of arrest, fines and jail time simply based on their attire.įemale and male impersonators are headline acts during the vaudeville era. Louis has a “masquerading ordinance,” a law prohibiting anyone from wearing clothing “not belonging to their sex.” From the 1840s to the 1980s, drag performers, trans and gender nonconforming St. How did we get here? How have drag performers played a crucial role in our local queer storyline? For this historical timeline, I highlight people who cross-dressed for the purposes of entertainment - better known as drag kings and queens. Around the country, 44 states have introduced 451 bills that target the community, according to the ACLU. Louisans.ĭuring the 2023 legislative session in Jefferson City, lawmakers have introduced 48 anti-LGBTQ+ bills. Despite these advances, there are still negative social and political forces facing queer St. ![]() Louis legend.Ĭhaney and others have paved the way to advance LGBTQ+ rights in St. Louis lays claim to having the world’s oldest performing drag queen – John Chaney, who performs at the age of 94 as Bonnie Blake, a St. Louis’ LGBTQ+ ancestral family tree includes countless drag performers and gender nonconforming individuals. ![]()
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