From its earliest arrival on US shores, burlesque has posed a challenge to local authorities charged with upholding local standards of “decency”. Whether it was women wearing men’s clothing (which was against the law in many municipalities until well into the 20th century) or women wearing not enough clothing (or none at all!), burlesque often gave community leaders something to wring their hands over.

In this #MuseumAtHome video, BHoF program coordinator Buttercup details some of the many run-ins with the law experienced by burlesque performers from the 1860s to today — and how performers used these arrests as opportunities to both advance their careers and widen public perceptions of decency.