Muammar Al Khadafi

Five years ago today pioneering transwoman Jacqueline-Charlotte Dufresnoy, better known by her stage name of Coccinelle, died in Marseilles, France on this date in 2006 after suffering a stroke in May of that year..

She was born 80 years ago in Paris on August 23, 1931 and became in 1958 the first European transwoman to have SRS surgery with pioneering Moroccan gynecologist Dr. Georges Burou.  She was married three times in her life, appeared in movies and cabaret shows, turned down a lucrative offer to perform with Bob Hope, and was a tireless advocate for the human rights of French transwomen.










Au revoir, Coccinelle.   You are missed.

Was shocked to hear during one of my OUT on the Hill sessions on Friday that singer Vesta Williams was found dead in a California hotel room on Thursday.  She was scheduled to be part of the DIVAS Simply Singing performance next month.

I had the pleasure of meeting Vesta and having a long conversation with her during my airline days in which I discovered we had in common our parents being in the radio biz.  

She was one sweet lady.and girlfriend could sing, too.  She had six Top 10 Billboard R&B chart singles in the 1980's and 1990's.  Some of her hit songs peeps might recognize are 'Sweet Sweet Love', 'Special', and 'Congratulations'.

Unfortunately she'll no longer be around to do that any more.    Rest in peace, Vesta.