# J. Edgar Hoover a transvestite?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-edgar-hoover-a-transvestite/113445>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 11, 2002, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-edgar-hoover-a-transvestite/113445 "2002-06-11T13:55:24Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![R.P.McMurphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\
**Post date:** [June 11, 2002, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-edgar-hoover-a-transvestite/113445/1 "2002-06-11T13:55:24Z")

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I am aware that an expose’ book (which I never read) was written about J. Edgar Hoover in which is was claimed that he was a transvestite. The cartoonist Oliphant still characterized him wearing flimsy dresses. Is there any truth to these accusations? Did J. Edgar Hoover go out in public dressed as a woman? It seems outlandish and improbable but the characterization seems to have stuck. Any truth?

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**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\
**Post date:** [June 11, 2002, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-edgar-hoover-a-transvestite/113445/2 "2002-06-11T14:20:29Z")

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The only “proof” I’ve seen is a photo from an FBI party (I don’t know if it was a costume party) with Hoover in drag. That was clearly a joke. I’ve heard stories that Hoover was known to dress in women’s clothing from time to time, but I’m in position to judge its credibility.

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**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\
**Post date:** [June 11, 2002, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-edgar-hoover-a-transvestite/113445/3 "2002-06-11T14:32:21Z")

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An earlier thread on this subject:

[http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=118413&highlight=Tolson](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=118413&highlight=Tolson)

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**Author:** ![xejkh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/22d042/32.png) [@xejkh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xejkh)\
**Post date:** [June 11, 2002, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-edgar-hoover-a-transvestite/113445/4 "2002-06-11T14:38:01Z")

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[http://www.theonion.com/onion3821/history\_3821.html](http://www.theonion.com/onion3821/history_3821.html)

Apparently the Onion thinks so. Just look at the main story:

> [@](#):
>
> \*\*  
> War Rationing Board Restricts Nylon Use to Armed Forces, J. Edgar Hoover Only  
> Frilly Panties and Garters Especially Needed Now, FBI Director Says\*\*

As for myself… you don’t expect me to believe everything the Onion says, do you?