Prior to moving to New York City, Lynch lived in San Francisco, California, where she performed at the drag club Trannyshack and reached the finals of the Miss Trannyshack pageant. It was her experience at Trannyshack that inspired her to start the club Knockoff on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, intended as a "knockoff" version of Trannyshack. She joined Scissor Sisters, founded by Jake Shears and Babydaddy, after they played their first live gig at the club.