In all walks of life, people seek refuge from the critical perception of their contemporaries. So many people live in secrecy. For them, secrecy is an absolute necessity to avoid unwanted scrutiny and maintain normalcy in public. When it comes to gender and its expression, the lines are often blurred. While some hide, others brazenly display their sexuality in public and their alternative perspectives on gender roles. In “The Bowery as Haven and Spectacle,” George Chauncey's Gay New York explores the emergence of the Bowery's “fairy” bars and how they became a sanctuary for New York's queer and working class. He discusses at length the tension that arises between the middle class and the working class, bars as a spectacle and place of entertainment, the solicitation of sex work, and the essence of gay culture in the bar scene. Gender boundaries blurred as men adopted cross-dressing and mannerisms normally associated with women. On the other hand, Merril Mushroom, author of "How to Engage in 1950s Butch-Style Courtship Rituals at the Bar," abides by a long list of rules for butch lesbians on methods to attract others women. Here, women cross gender boundaries and adopt masculine personas. That said, both plays show the development of alternative gender identities. However, this shift in gender roles rarely happens outside of the bar world. Despite the semi-public gender blurring, those who identify with this lifestyle still feel the need to express themselves in an environment most accommodating to their blatant disregard for gender norms. The aforementioned plays answer questions about why one must live in secrecy and how this secrecy gives way to development...... middle of paper ...... our scene was instrumental in the development of a culture and identity for homosexuals. In today's contemporary world, we see the effects of what was done in the late 1800s and early 1900s. There are many balls today in which homosexuals can gather at more large scale and engage in quasi-ritualistic practices. The bar scene has blossomed well beyond the Bowery and into mainstream culture. Despite this, I have personally seen a new trend of bars opening in neighborhoods, particularly the less economically stable parts of New York City, that primarily cater to gay people. In these regions, homosexuality is rejected much more harshly than in regions where financial stability is assured. Overall, the foundations that were built at the turn of the century are still being built by those in contemporary times, who are trying to gain more notoriety and strengthen homosexual identity..