JACQUELINE"COCCINELLE"DUFRESNOY

Jacqueline “Coccinelle" Dufresnoy was born on August 23, 1931 in Paris France, who had known her true identity since she was four years old. Growing up in France while knowing about her true identity, she took it upon herself to explore her gender identity through performative drag. She named herself Coccinelle, which meant “ladybug” in French, her name derived from her famous black dress with red polka that she would often perform in. It only took a few years for her to shift from being a drag performer into fully identifying with her gender, it was then that she decided to make history. In 1958, she had found a doctor to perform gender confirmation surgery, making her the first in France to successfully receive the surgery. When reminiscing about her surgery she commented saying “Dr. Burou rectified the mistake nature had made and I became a real woman, on the inside as well as the outside”.

After her surgery she rose to stardom, becoming one of the first transgendered movie stars and starring in movies such as Días de Viejo Color and Go! Go! Go! World. During her career she made many strives for the transgender community, her first marriage was a huge step for the commmunity since it advocated for trans people to get married, especially in churches. Even years later with her last husband they created organizations such as "Devenir Femme”, in English translates to “To Become Woman”. Devenir Femme worked to provide emotional and practical support for people transitioning. Jacqueline was also a part of the Center for Aid, Research, and Information for Transsexuality and Gender Identity. Jacqueline’s contribution to the trans community has been tremendous, and has created a pathway for future members of the community to strive for change. Jacqueline was living proof that you can be whatever you want in the world, that as long as you' re confident in your art as well as what you put into the world, then nothing else matters. Happiness should always be the key to living a great life.

"POEMS BY NARIYO LARS"

Poem 1Sun shines west, But never north during this season. But yet, the sun in your heart Continues to shine no matter The direction.

Poem 2When rain falls, It covers the emotions You truly wanted to show.