Polka Dots and Pioneering: The Remarkable Life of Coccinelle

Trans* Lesson Plan

Join us on The Trans Lesson Plan Podcast as we explore the extraordinary life of Jacqueline Charlotte Dufresnoy, better known as Coccinelle. Born in Paris in 1931, Coccinelle rose to fame as a captivating transgender performer who broke barriers and made history.

This episode highlights Coccinelle's groundbreaking achievements, including her historic marriage that established transgender people's right to marry in France and her vital activism through organizations she co-founded. Her legacy as a pioneer for transgender rights extends far beyond the glamorous stages where she performed alongside other icons of her era.

Discover how one woman in a polka-dotted red dress, the origin of her "Ladybug" stage name, changed the course of transgender history and continues to inspire generations today.

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References:

• Baska, M., & Baska, M. (2022, August 23). Jacqueline Charlotte Dufresnoy: Trans pioneer and cabaret icon Coccinelle takes over Google. PinkNews | Latest Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Trans News | LGBTQ+ News. https://www.thepinknews.com/2022/08/23/jacqueline-charlotte-dugresnoy-coccinelle/
• Carens, J. H. (2014). The ethics of immigration. Choice Reviews Online, 52(01), 52–0498. https://doi.org/10.5860/choice.52-0498
• Coccinelle. (n.d.). https://www.queermusicheritage.com/nov2002e.html
• Cruz, A. V. D. (2024, December 23). The life of Jacqueline Charlotte Dufresnoy AKA Coccinelle - my transgender blog. My Transgender Blog. https://mytransgenderdate.com/blog/2023/06/the-life-of-jacqueline-charlotte-dufresnoy-aka-coccinelle
• PressReader.com - digital newspaper & magazine subscriptions. (n.d.). PressReader. https://www.pressreader.com/uk/all-about-history/20210617/281625308243696?srsltid=AfmBOoonQumvU4gArcxpbPviEiMrYs7bRrcPsli_z7zMFceFv1oSKEix
• Singer, P. (1986). Famine, affluence, and morality. In Princeton University Press eBooks (pp. 247–262). https://doi.org/10.1515/9780691241869-014
• Wikipedia contributors. (2025, July 13). Coccinelle. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coccinelle