From Mimi de Paris to the Emergence of an Activist

In search of her identity, Marie-Marcelle Godbout performs in cabarets under the stage name Mimi de Paris, where she works as a magician. It is in this world of glamour and performance that she meets her mentor, Lana Saint-Cyr, a prominent figure in the scene and a pioneer of drag in Quebec. In 1977, she takes part in the programming for the opening of Café Cléopâtre, helping to create a welcoming space for a gay and trans clientele—a precious refuge in a Montreal that was still deeply conservative.

In 1979, Marie-Marcelle undergoes gender-affirming surgery in Toronto, at a time when many trans women faced unequal—and at times abusive—medical practices. During this period, transition pathways were marked by a lack of clear protocols, a shortage of specialized practitioners, and, in some cases, the exploitation of vulnerable individuals. It is during this stay that she befriends Christine Rollins, whom she supports through her own transition—forming vital bonds of solidarity in a context often marked by isolation.