By 1850, Bonheur had received a Permission de Travestissement—cross-dressing permit—from the police. Cross-dressing (a.k.a. wearing pants) was illegal, so to evade arrest, Bonheur needed the official document. It allowed her to wear men’s clothing in public, with certain restrictions against male attire at “spectacles, balls or other public meeting places.” The permit was renewable every six months and required the signature of her doctor.