However, they promptly re-arrested him, charged him with “associating with idle and vicious persons,” and found a new magistrate to try the case.
When the magistrate noted that the state’s masquerade law was intended only to criminalize costumed dress used as a cover for another crime, the police were forced to let the man go. In Brooklyn in 1913, for instance, a person who we would today call a transgender man was arrested for “masquerading in men’s clothes,” smoking and drinking in a bar. That these laws were often ill-suited to the task didn’t matter. While our first-priority must be safety, our favorite is helping you enjoy the time you spend with us. This isn’t always easy in the context of a crowded, public entertainment venue that serves alcohol. recounts in his encyclopedic book Gaylaw, “by the beginning of the 20 century, gender inappropriateness… was increasingly considered a sickness and public offense.”Įxisting laws against costumed dress, even if they didn’t specifically mention cross dressing-collectively referred to as “masquerade laws”-were increasingly pressed into service around the country to punish gender variance. The SF Eagle provides a welcoming, supportive and safe environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and non-binary patrons. Please note this discount is not applicable for groups of 7 upwards or throughout December for any pre-booked tables.
Please show your card to receive discount. The state originally intended the law to punish rural farmers, who had taken to dressing like Native Americans to fight off tax collectors. To say thank you for all your continual hard work we’d like to offer 20 off our food.