Fifty years ago, World War II veteran Jose Julio Sarria was crowned Empress I of San Francisco, thus planting the seed of the International Imperial Court System that grew into a royal oak tree, with branches extending through Canada, the United States and Mexico. The International Imperial Court System currently has chapters in over 68 cities within North America and Mexico. Four years earlier, Sarria became the first openly gay candidate to run for public office in 1961. Sarria, who died in 2013 at the age of 90, is considered a true gay icon and pioneer.
Former Speaker, John A. Perez of the California Assembly noted that Sarria had impact beyond California; his influence was global: “Jose Sarria was a monumental figure in the LGBT Community whose contributions to our movement cannot be overstated. His trailblazing run for public office as an openly gay man laid the groundwork for LGBT Californians to run for public office proudly and openly. But Jose’s refusal to be silenced or shamed back into the closet, in an era where LGBT people were routinely discriminated against, was the greatest contribution to our movement. Jose’s courageous personal example of living life openly, with pride and dignity, gave so many others the courage and confidence they needed to do the same.”
One of Sarria’s major legacies was his founding of the International Imperial Court System of the U.S.A., Canada and Mexico, which many consider the LGBT Shriners or Elks of North America. 2015 is the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Imperial Court and every chapter is marking this occasion of their Royal Golden Jubilee. Next month, a gala dinner will be held in the rotunda of San Francisco’s City Hall.
In 1971, gay and lesbians in San Diego started organizing a local Imperial Court chapter and in 1973, San Diego’s first emperor and empress were elected: current #1 5th Avenue owner, Omar Lowry and then entertainer, Tawny Tann, who died of AIDS in the 1980s. The first Coronation Ball was held at what is now the Holiday Inn at the downtown Embarcadero, with over 800 people in attendance at what was the first homosexual public event ever held in a hotel. Emperor I Omar and Empress I Tawny then established and invested their court chapter members. A tradition that will continue decades later Saturday, Jan. 31 at the Lafayette Hotel with the election and crowning of the 43rd monarchs of San Diego.
The Imperial Court de San Diego, is the community’s oldest non-profit organization, and has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars through the last four decades, that have benefited almost every LGBT organization and cause as well as many non-profits outside of the community. “The Imperial Court de San Diego was responsible for raising and providing the seed money for our LGBT Community Center, Pride and many other organizations in the 1970s,” stated City Councilman Todd Gloria.
The reigning Emperor XLII Robert Rodriguez and Empress XLII Pearl, their court members and the board of directors have raised over $100,000 this past year which has benefited the San Diego community. There are currently three candidates running to be San Diego’s next royal monarchs.
“The Imperial Court de San Diego has for decades provided burial service for AIDS clients, food and groceries to families and school supplies for children to name but a few of their ongoing contributions,” stated Carolina Ramos, director of Community Programs at The LGBT Center. In 1979, one of the first GLBT student scholarships in California was established by the Imperial Court de San Diego, which is now called “The Harvey Milk/Nicole Murray Ramirez GLBT Scholarship Program”
In 2007, Jose Julio Sarria retired and named City Commissioner Nicole Murray Ramirez as successor and head of the International Court System. Sarria crowned Ramirez as Queen Mother I of the Americas at a royal gala in Seattle, Wash.
Under Nicole’s current nine year leadership of the organization’s governing board, (the Imperial Court Council) over $125,000 has been contributed to the Matthew Shepard Foundation, the Court organized and led a successful five year campaign for the first Harvey Milk U.S. postage stamp and established the first international GLBT student scholarship program, which currently has $62,000 in its fund.
The International Court Chapters will be gathering in Portland, Ore. in October for a royal state dinner concluding the 2015 Golden Jubilee celebrations.
The entire community is invited to attend the San Diego Court’s 43rd annual “Military Ball” to congratulate the current monarchs on a most successful and productive reign.
San Diego will be hosting a two day meeting of the International Court Council, with members coming from throughout North America and Mexico. The VIP/dinner tickets to San Diego’s 43rd annual Coronation Gala Jan. 31 have sold out, however, general admission tickets are still available ($50 advance purchase or $75 at the door) for the 7 p.m. event.
For additional information, please call 619-254-6372 or visit imperialcourtsandiego.com
This court system discriminates against lgbt families that have children. Berates them, and doesn’t allow them to be a part of the festivities. Understanding that not every drag show is for kids, they stand by and let people get verbally attacked and pushed out of the community. It’s wrong and disappointing for an organization. Such as this to discriminate against someone in such a way.