The Ancient Art of Gender-Bending

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I know there are conservative cultural curmudgeons out there who believe that gender-bending is something new—some kind of plot by leather boys on an NEA grant. The truth, as conservative cultural curmudgeons are somehow always the last to know, is more interesting. Brave people, as a matter of desire, necessity, or high spirits, have been blurring the boundary of gender (which is not sex—remember?—but the cultural expression of sex roles in a society) at least since the days of Hatshepsut's beard.

Hatshepsut was a royal princess of Egypt who, at first, did all the things royal princesses were supposed to do 35 centuries ago: She married her half-brother, Thutmose II, and when this none-too-vibrant pharaoh died in 1512 B.C. after just eight years on the throne, she served as regent for the heir apparent, little Thutmose III. But the heir was a harem child—son of some pretty nonentity from the back benches of her late husband's lady collection—and she, Hatshepsut, came from a long line of queens. Easy decision: Thutmose III was bundled off to learn how to be a priest of Amon, and Hatshepsut ascended the throne. I mean really ascended it, adopting full pharaonic powers, honors, and regalia—including the ceremonial false beard that the guy pharaohs wore, thus becoming the first drag king. You go, girl!

Wait, I think I hear a curmudgeonly complaint: This is just a savvy woman coming to power by seizing and holding male symbols.

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