" 

 :: If you watch RENT closely you will notice that Angel only appears in drag on two days, at two parties. Admittedly, that party was the vast majority of the first act, but in his daily ""work"" life he appeared as a male, and in the hospital he again appeared male. Moreover, Collins identifies as gay (""I like boys"") and often refers to Angel as 'he'. While it is possible that Angel was transgendered, it's a stretch, and therefore safer to say that he was a male who enjoyed dressing as a female."