MEN PERFORMING AS WOMEN - EXPLORATIONS IN THE WORLD OF FEMALE IMPERSONATORS

Female impersonation, the public presentation of a feminine appearance , mannerisms, and character by males, is a neglected, but informative, area of inquiry for gender theorists. This paper examines the experie nces and identities of a sample of professional female impersonators. Using data from semistructured interviews, the virtual (externally imp osed) and actual (internally constructed) social identities of such me n are analyzed. Reliance on impersonators' own accounts of experiences as both performers and socially stigmatized persons uncovers discrepa ncies between perceptions of self and social labels. The social constr uctionist interpretation of gender is explored in light of the essenti alist beliefs of both impersonators and their critics.