Sewing circle
Reference
Definition
A discreet code for lesbian or bisexual actresses in Hollywood during the industry’s golden age.
Quick Facts
| Term | Sewing circle |
|---|
What “sewing circle” meant
In historical Hollywood usage, “sewing circle” referred to a discreet code for actresses who were lesbian or bisexual. The phrase described a private social world among Hollywood women rather than an actual sewing group.
The social setting
Accounts of the Sewing Circle describe women meeting at one another’s homes for lunch, conversation, and romantic possibilities. The group included women who identified as bisexual, women committed to lesbian relationships, and women who were simply visiting.