In Randy Shilts’s book about Harvey Milk, The Mayor of Castro Street, it’s mentioned that San Francisco gay bars were often raided by the police in the '50s and '60s and there could be legal problems for men who were dressed as women. One thing some of these men did to protect themselves was wear a badge or nametag saying “I am a man” while otherwise dressed in full drag. I don’t remember if the book said this actually worked, but it was supposed to provide a defense against charges that the man in question was trying to trick anyone.
Her guards stole her clothes and left a set of men’s clothes in her cell. It was either wear those or go naked. This was then used as a pretext to execute her for relapse.
It was an episode of Ducktales and that poor recently arrived immigrant was none other than a young Scrooge McDuck. IIRC the judge turned out to be of Scottish descent and was less than amused at the cop.
I’ve read this in a couple of gay-oriented books. It could very well be old lesbians exaggerating, or maybe just a few overenthusiastic police officers.
In general, impersonation is illegal if done with fraudulent intent, which means for the purpose of gain that one would otherwise not be entitled to. Merely impersonating a women in order to be perceived socially as a woman would not be illegal, but could cross the line of done to gain access to something that is provided for women only, such as free admission or drinks on ladies night.
Technically, then, a female impersonation could be fraudulent, if intending to gain favor from a person who would not have offered such favor to a man.
In short, impersonation per se is not illegal, unless it crosses a line into intent to defraud. Even impersonation of a police officer would need to be at least credible, and would not extend to a stripper dancing in a faux policeman’s uniform. I would think any local laws that loosen that definition would be struck down as unconstitutional First Amendment violations, at least in the USA. As for “anywhere”, your mileage may vary.
The British were the ones who invented the railroad- so no surprise.
Odd they are refering almost exclusively to city ordinances.
As far as I know cross-dressing is illegal in Tasmania.