Here's One Look At 1950s Butch Femme culture.
http://www.mariecartier.com/content/BF.pdf
There's nothing here to indicate any of these people took on traditional male and female roles- in fact quite the opposite. This is a history of women- yes I said women. Women who laid their lives and bodies on the line. As apretty said, many femmes back then had to work as prostitutes to support themselves, their lovers and families. Butch women were repeatedly raped by cops for being butch but refused to go into hiding and looked their rapist straight in the face.
These were working class people. Upper class people could have private parties in their homes. Working class people met in public places like bars and faced the wrath of the cops.
This is part of my history. I'm not going to take the woman part out. I am happy to hear trans and other perspective as well, but I am not going to take the woman out of butch femme history.