One of Elsie’s accidental contributions to trans history is showing how writers continue to misinterpret gender, refusing to evolve past misgendering from 80 years ago. Despite clearly living as a woman for decades, writers from the 1940s to 2020s claimed her womanhood was an act of deception. As recently as July 2025 (in the LA Times!), writers continue to figure her gender as a farce, costume, or denial of gay identity. Before Gender tracks her life, work, and marriages, hopefully demonstrating a consistent gender identity that should be respected.
Despite being a public performer, there is only one known photo of Elsie. I have no doubt there are more out there in some obscure Long Beach archive or library. Hopefully, a researcher will find and share them someday.
The Minneapolis Star, Apr 18, 1946.
