The Imperial Court de San Diego, the oldest LGBT organization in the county, will be having a “royal display of crowns, gowns, uniforms and noble deeds” at San Diego City Hall Aug. 20 through Sept. 4.
The Imperial Court System was founded in 1965 in San Francisco by World War II Veteran Jose Julio Sarria (who in 1961 became the first openly gay candidate for public office in North America.) There are now over 68 chapters in the U.S.A., Canada and Mexico.
The Imperial Court chapters have often been described as the “gay Shriners and Elks,” and have raised millions of dollars for countless charities and social service agencies in the last 50 years.
The Court chapters are all based on “royalty” and the monarchy. The first elected Emperor and Empress de San Diego were crowned at a royal ball in 1973.
The Imperial Court de San Diego has helped establish and finance such organizations as The LGBT Community Center, San Diego Pride and many others. Stated City Commissioner Nicole Murray Ramirez: “The first gay events that elected officials attended were the royal coronation balls that in the 1970s drew over a thousand people.”
The Imperial Court’s membership is very diverse and includes women and heterosexual members. “But we are proud that drag queens make up a great part of the court system,” Stated Big Mike Phillips, President of the local chapter’s board of directors. The City Hall display will be open to the public in the lobby from 8a.m. to 5p.m. with the history and deeds of charity work chronicled within the display. A special “ribbon cutting” ceremony will be announced. For further information please contact the Imperial Court de San Diego at: 619-254-692-1967; or 619-254-6372; or www.impcourt.org, or info@imperialcourtsandiego.com
