What did you do in the war, Daddy?

Canadian soldiers femulating for a show during World War II

By Paula Gaikowski

“They say war is hell, but have you ever tried wearing a girdle and high heels for a day?"

(The names in this article have been changed to protect the privacy of the individuals mentioned.)

Femulate often features photographs from World War I and World War II, including images of prisoners of war and active-duty service members femulating. Some of these portrayals are remarkably authentic. Intrigued, I took a closer look and uncovered some fascinating stories.

The Army’s Special Services division partnered with the USO to develop guidelines for soldier shows. A significant challenge arose due to the wartime prohibition of women in combat areas, necessitating male performers to fill traditionally female parts. This irony was mirrored on the home front, where women, such as Rosie the Riveter, stepped into roles vacated by men who had enlisted.

All-soldier casts proved immensely popular. A special performance of This Is the Army for President Roosevelt drew particular attention, with a reporter noting the President's fascination with a Gypsy Rose Lee impersonator's striptease routine.

Army Special Services units were deemed essential for maintaining troop morale. These units often accompanied troops overseas. To sustain the illusion of female performers, Many of these men adopted female personas both on and off stage, presenting as women when off stage.

Many of the most celebrated performers in these soldier shows were gay men who had honed their craft in the vibrant nightlife of pre-war America. Figures like Liberty Belle, with their impeccable stage presence and undeniable talent, found a unique niche within the military. These individuals, often hailing from the world of vaudeville or burlesque, brought a level of professionalism and sophistication to the productions that elevated them far beyond mere troop entertainment.

While their performances were met with raucous applause and admiration, their personal lives remained shrouded in secrecy. The military, like society at large, was deeply homophobic. Yet, the talent and dedication of these performers were undeniable, creating a complex dynamic. Their homosexuality was often an open secret among their peers, a tacit understanding that allowed them to exist within a hostile environment. 

In contrast to the professional nightclub female impersonators, diminutive and unassuming Dixie Darling emerged from a small town. Younger than his 18 years and with a quiet demeanor, he was plucked from his sheltered life by the draft. Struggling with the rigors of army life, the young and immature Darling found an unexpected escape in Special Services. 

There, for the first time, he donned women's attire, embarking on a journey he never anticipated. Fear of combat, intensified by the traumatic loss of his cousin in the war, fueled his decision to avoid the front lines. While neither gay or transgender, Darling fully immersed himself in this new identity, living and working as a woman for over a year. Complete with long hair, manicured nails, and women's uniforms, his transformation was so convincing that he was often mistaken for a biological female.

 This unique experience granted him a perspective unlike any other, culminating in extraordinary moments such as strolling down the Champs-Élysées in Paris, a vision of femininity in high-heels and a pretty dress. 

"I couldn’t believe I was there, Paris! And there I was, a small-town boy masquerading as a woman, strutting down the Champs-Élysées It was a surreal dream.

The heels clicked-clacked on the pavement, each step a tiny rebellion against everything I'd ever known. The dress, a borrowed treasure from one of the girls, swirled around me, a colorful contradiction to the khaki the army had originally issued. My hair, long and soft now, caught the wind

I was Dixie Darling, not the kid from the farm. I was a mirage of femininity in a world of men. Women I passed offered, friendly nods and smiles, men’s eyes followed me. I felt a heady mix of exhilaration and dread.

Every nerve in my body was alive. What was happening to me? I didn't know. But one thing was certain: I was free. Free from the mud, the guns, the fear. For this one moment I didn’t care what anyone thought. And it was a damn good feeling."

Despite the guilt he carried for avoiding combat, Darling ultimately found a sense of purpose in his role as a performer, contributing to the morale of his fellow soldiers. 

After the war, Darling returned to his pre-war life, marrying and raising a family. To protect his family and reputation, he didn’t speak about his wartime experiences. Yet, the memories of that extraordinary period remained a complex and often contradictory part of his identity. For years, he lived with the weight of his secret, but he now believes it is essential to share his story to shed light on this often-overlooked chapter of history.

Among this mix of performers, individuals like Bonnie Bombshell emerged as emblematic figures. Growing up in the restrictive confines of the 1920s and 1930s, the concept of gender identity was a foreign notion. For Bonnie, the pressure to conform to societal expectations was immense, forcing her to suppress her true self. Yet, the world of entertainment offered a tantalizing glimpse of liberation. Joining the Army Special Services presented an opportunity to explore her femininity openly. The character she created, Bonnie Bombshell, became a shield, protecting her while allowing her to express the woman she longed to be.

Unlike Dixie Darling, whose experience was largely driven by his fear of combat, Bonnie's journey was a deliberate step towards self-discovery. The ability to live as a woman, even temporarily, was a dramatic experience. It provided a sense of belonging and authenticity that she had never known.

Years later, Bonnie found the courage to embrace her true self. In the 1970s, she became one of the pioneering participants in the groundbreaking gender transition program at Johns Hopkins University. This was a time of immense personal courage, as societal understanding and acceptance of transgender individuals were virtually nonexistent. 

These men, and women, who put aside their own personal needs at a time when the whole country banded together, showed that everybody has something to contribute. Their stories are a testament to the human spirit's resilience, courage, and the enduring quest for identity and acceptance. It is important that we honor their legacy by continuing to create a world where diversity is celebrated, and individuals are free to be themselves.

Wearing Cynthia Rowley

U.S. soldiers femulating in the play This is the Army by Irving Berlin, circa 1942.