American Experience

WILLIAM ESKRIDGE

In states like New York, there were a whole basket of crimes that gay people could be charged with. One was the 1845 statute that made it a crime in the state to masquerade.

INTERVIEWER

Are those your own eyelashes? No. And Sonia, is that your own hair? No. That's a very lovely dress, too, that you're wearing, Simone. Where did you buy it? Oh, I made it myself. Ladies and gentlemen, the reason for using first names only for these very, very charming contestants is that right now each one of them is breaking the law.

RITTER

In "drag," the downside was that you could get arrested, you could definitely get arrested, if someone had... someone clocked you or someone spooked that you were not really what you appeared to be on the outside.

FRED SARGEANT

Three articles of clothing had to be of your gender or you would be in violation of that law. Mind you, socks didn't count, so it was underwear and undershirt. Now, the next thing was going to ruin the outfit.