GLBTQ ENCYCLOPEDIA TO SPOTLIGHT HISTORICALLY IMPORTANT FEMALE CROSS-DRESSERS

Articles on Thirteen Women Reveal History and Motives of Female Cross-Dressing

PHOTOGRAPHS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST

Chicago (October 27, 2008)--glbtq.com, the world's largest encyclopedia of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer (glbtq) culture, will feature a spotlight on historically important female cross-dressers on the site's home page from November 1 through November 30.

The illustrated feature will highlight articles on thirteen women whose cross-dressing accomplished a variety of purposes. Some, like the seventeenth-century Spanish soldier Catalina de Erauso, Roman Catholic Saint Joan of Arc and French artist Rosa Bonheur cross-dressed in order to pursue traditionally male occupations while others, like early-twentieth century vaudevillian Annie Hindle and actress Greta Garbo exploited cross-dressing for its entertainment potential. Still others have cross-dressed in order to express a political point of view that challenges the constraints imposed by traditional gender expectations.

"Female cross-dressing is an important aspect of glbtq history and culture that has received less attention than male cross-dressing," says glbtq General Editor Claude Summers. "Historically, women who have cross-dressed have often done so to insist on their equality with men, though the articles in this feature reveal that women have worn traditionally male attire for many different reasons."

The feature will highlight articles about Blues performers Gladys Bentley (1907-1960) and Big Mama Thornton (1926-1984); actresses Sarah Bernhardt (1844-1923), Charlotte Charke (1713-1760), Charlotte Cushman (1816-1876) and Greta Garbo (1905-1990); artists Rosa Bonheur (1822-1923), Della Grace (b. 1957) and Frida Kahlo (1907-1954); military figures Catalina de Erauso (ca 1592-ca 1650) and Joan of Arc (1412-1431); writer George Sand (1804-1876); and male impersonator Annie Hindle (1847-19??).

Contact
Wik Wikholm
glbtq.com
wik@glbtq.com
805.746.6046

About glbtq
glbtq.com is the largest Web site devoted to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer (glbtq) culture and education. The site, which houses the world's largest encyclopedia of glbtq culture, serves more than 1.6 million unique visitors each year.