In the Netflix show 'The Alienist' which is set in 1896 in NYC, we see underage boys dressing up as women being used as prostitutes did this actually happen?

by pm_me_ur_giant_boobs
GreatStoneSkull

u/cdesmoulins talks about this here

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/8iw81k/comment/dyv7ivn?st=JORX6ZEA&sh=357fc845