Performances based on cross-dressing, elaborated by celebrity imitations, lip-synching and ironic touches. Both males and females participate (although women’s representations of the other often underscore the limited ornaments and gestures of American masculinity). Such performances often raise questions about both gender and sexuality. They have become political statements in gay rights settings (e.g. the Gay Pride Parade of San Francisco, CA), but also attract mixed audiences. Indeed, they have become increasingly mainstream through events like Wig-stock, celebrities like Ru Paul, performance pieces by Lily Tomlin and other actors and even crossdressing vignettes by celebrities like New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani or basketball star Dennis Rodman.

Movie depictions range from the comic (T0 Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar, 1995) to documentary explorations of subcultures where race, class and sexuality are questioned Paris is Burning, 1990)