Delphine Palatsi took the name Sextoy in a Paris of the 1990s where the turntables belonged to men, and became one of the first women disc jockeys in France, a figure of the capital's nights and of the lesbian scene, the two then going together. She died in 2002, aged thirty-four. Her father joined her the following year. The civil name is carved in the stone, the stage name in bronze.
The story
In the Paris of the 1990s the turntables belonged to men. Delphine Palatsi took the name Sextoy there and became one of the first women DJs in France — a central figure of the Paris nights and of the lesbian scene, the two going together at the time.
She died in 2002, at thirty-four. The stone in Division 28 carries the civil name; a bronze bas-relief carries the stage name. Few graves in the cemetery own both identities so plainly, side by side.
A second line was added the following year: Serge Palatsi, her father, who died in 2003. The order of the dates says what the stone does not comment on — a father buried a year after his daughter.
The grave
A grave with two identities and two griefs. The stone bears the civil name and a second date: “Delphine PALATSI, 1968-2002. Serge PALATSI, 1936-2003.” — her father, who died the following year. And an anonymous bronze bas-relief bears the name under which the Paris of the night knew her: “Sextoy, 1968-2002”. Few tombs in the cemetery own up to both names side by side in this way.
On site, do not miss
Two identities on one grave: the stone carves the civil name, “Delphine PALATSI, 1968-2002”, the bronze bas-relief the stage name, “Sextoy”. Her father rests with her.
Visitors' questions
Where is Sextoy's grave?
In Division 28, chemin Saint-Louis, sixth row. Two names are on it — “Delphine PALATSI, 1968-2002” and her father “Serge PALATSI, 1936-2003” — plus a bronze relief bearing the stage name. She died in 2002, at thirty-four.
Pierre DesnosWho was Sextoy?
Delphine Palatsi, one of the first women DJs in France, in a trade then held entirely by men. She was a central figure of the Paris nights and of the lesbian scene of the 1990s.
Daniel CollingWhy two names on the stone?
Because the legal name and the stage name are both there: “Delphine PALATSI” on the stone, “Sextoy” on the bronze relief. Few graves in the cemetery own both identities so plainly.
Mano SoloHow old was she when she died?
Thirty-four, in 2002. Her father Serge Palatsi (1936-2003), buried with her, died the year after — the order of the dates on the stone tells that double loss.
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