The two subjects of Two female impersonators backstage, though never explicitly stated, are likely to be Terry Noel and Ronnie Morales. The two were members of the traveling Jewel Box Revue, a racially inclusive and queer owned female impersonator revue. Little is readily known about Ronnie Morales, but Terry Noel was a female impersonator who transitioned in the 1960s.
The two female impersonators were photographed backstage in Club 82, a popular bar in lower Manhattan. While the location had been a club of some sort since 1929, its opening as Club 82 (or the 82 Club) under the ownership of the Genovese family saw it reach its most famous stage. While the club was a key part of gay nightlife that allowed queer culture in the city to grow, Club 82 was not for gay patrons. This club was to entertain heterosexual, and predominantly white, audiences with elaborate and "exotic" performances, mainly drag performers. Many famous figures are reported to have attended shows at Club 82. Terry Noel recalled seeing the likes of Judy Garland, Liza Minelli, and Frankie Valli, among others, including queer icons. Advertisements for the club’s performances highlight the illusion of the performers. Audiences would be treated to an exciting performance on stage with female impersonators, and they would be served by male impersonators in suits. Patrons could buy a postcard featuring the performers or could get a souvenir picture taken in the club with a performer, such as the undated picture of the two straight couples.
The Genovese family, including famous Mafia boss Vito Genovese, would come to own many gay bars in Greenwich Village. Crossdressing was still illegal, mainly through the use of unrelated laws by the police to harass queer people, so the Mafia was able to capitalize on this. They would be able to make money on the queer community while keeping the establishment running despite the acts inside. Using their connections, the Mafia would pay off the police to ignore what their establishment was doing. This was a common occurrence, as many gay bars in the city were owned by the Mafia. In Club 82’s case, they would be able to use this risqué factor to their advantage. Thus, while hosting queer performers and fostering queer community in the area, the Mafia also drew in curious heterosexual people to see an extravagant show performed by people commonly deemed as a danger to society.
Noel, Terry. Interview with Morgan Stevens. https://queermusicheritage.com/fem-terrynoel.html. Accessed 2 April 2023.
Straight Patrons at the Club 82. https://www.messynessychic.com/2020/08/25/remembering-nycs-secret-82-dr…. Accessed 3 April 2023.
"Welcome to 82 Club: The Naughty Story of a Legendary New York Drag Institution." New-York Historical Society. August 1, 2019. https://www.nyhistory.org/blogs/82-club-legendary-new-york-drag-institu…. Accessed 18 March 2023.