LIVEMagazine #219 October 9, 2015

34
Plaza On Fourth, 3940 4th
Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 400-4500
IMPERIAL COURTS CELEBRATE
In 1961, World War II Veteran Jose Julio Sarria became the first openly gay
candidate to run for public office in North America. Though he did not win that
election, four years later he did win, and was crowned with the title of Empress
I of San Francisco. Now, 50 years later the International Imperial Court System
has grown into court chapters in over 68 cities throughout the United States,
Canada, Mexico, and is one of the oldest LGBTQ organizations in the world.
On October 23, 2015 in Portland, Oregon, LGBTQ royalty from all over North
America and Mexico will be gathering to celebrate the Golden Jubilee Gala State
Dinner at the historic Sentinel Hotel in downtown Portland.
Among the VIPs in attendance will be:
• Dustin Lance Black (Academy Award winner for best Original
Screenplay, Milk)
• Rev. Troy Perry (founder of the Metropolitan Community Churches)
• Judy and Dennis Shepard (founders of the Matthew Shepard
Foundation)
• Cleve Jones (founder of The NAMES Project/AIDS Quilt)
• Hon. Toni Atkins (Speaker, California State Assembly)
• Hon.Michael Connolly (member,Provincial Assembly ofAlberta, Canada)
• Jim Obergefell (lead plaintiff,U.S. Supreme Court Marriage Equality
Case)
• Russell Roybal (Deputy Director, National LGBTQ Task Force)
• Hon. Todd Gloria (former Mayor, San Diego, CA)
• ....and many, many more!
Wednesday
Oct 21 and 22nd 2015
8pm
Ever want to talk about something, but felt you
couldn’t? You can now! In her new show “Cone
of Silence,” Miss Richfield 1981 opens the discussion
up to all forbidden topics! When she
lowers the Cone of Silence, anything goes! Enjoy
new music, new videos, and new activities
with the audience!
•$25-$40 Reserved Seating
• $15 Per Person Food/Drink Minimum
• Doors Open At 6pm
• No Refunds/Exchanges
www.tinyurl.com/p8bvl63
Presiding over this historic 50th Anniversary Celebration will be Jose Julio Sarria
heir and successor,Queen Mother I of the Americas, Her Most Imperial Majesty
Empress Nicole the Great. Nicole Murray Ramirez has been a Latino/Gay rights
activist himself for over 45 years and is a City Commissioner who has served and
advised the last seven mayors of San Diego, CA.
The Imperial Courts have been often called “the gay Shriners or Elks”of the
Americas and have been raising millions of dollarsfor countless causes and
organizations within and outside of the LGBTQ community for five decades.
In the 1960s and 1970sImperial Court chapters throughout America were
sometimes the only LGBTQ organization in existence and helped to build LGBTQ
Community Centers,Pride Parades, and organizations in their individual cities.
One of the first LGBTQ Student Scholarshipsstarted in the International Imperial
Court System in 1979, and now over 40 Court Chapters have an ongoing
Student Scholarship Program. At the Gala in Portland, Oregon, Queen Mother
I of the Americas, Nicole the Great will officially announce the establishment
of the International Jose Julio Sarria LGBTQ Scholarship Program with an over
$85,000 endowment. Jose Julio Sarria passed away in August 20 13 at the
age of 91. Queen Mother I of the Americas, Nicole the Great, along with her
International Imperial Court Council, with the help of then Supervisor Bevan
Dufty, successfully lobbied the city of San Francisco to name a street in honor of
Jose Julio Sarria.
The Imperial Courts have raised funds to fight Anita Bryant and other’s
homophobic campaigns, National LGBTQ March on Washington, and countless
LGBTQ Civil Rights causes and social service organizations, as well as acting as
leaders in HIVIAIDS fundraising and support since the 1980s. One of the most
notabl e recent success stories of the International Imperial Court System
wasthe seven year letter writing campaign organized and led by Nicole Murray
Ramirez and her noblesto get the U.S. Postal Department to issue a postage
stamp in honor of Harvey Milk.
Queen Mother I of the Americas, Nicole the Great and other gay royalty were
at the White House Ceremony officially unveiling the Harvey Milk Stamp. The
Imperial Courts are now leading campaigns for a Bayard Rustin Stamp with
support from the National LGBTQ Task Force, and for a Navy Vessel to be named
after Harvey Milk.
“A community, indeed a civil rights movement that doesn’t know where it
came from really doesn’t know where it is going,” stated Nicole, reflecting on
the historic importance of the Golden Jubilee Celebration. In fact, the historic
Stonewall Inn in New York City is the official “Palace” of Queen Mother I of
the Americas, Nicole the Great and the International Imperial Court System,
honoring them with a picture of the monarch and royal seal prominently
displayed inside.
It is important to note that the membership of the International Imperial
Court System is not made up of only drag queens, but also women,
bisexuals,heterosexuals, gay men, transgendered individuals. The membership is
open to all.
“Indeed, from a seed planted in San Francisco in 1965 has grown a vibrant and
royal oak tree with branches across Canada, the United States of America, and
Mexico,” stated Queen Mother I of the Americas, Nicole the Great. “We are
celebrating over 50 years of noble deedsthat have helped to benefit so many,
and helped build our modem day LGBTQ community and equality movement.”
For further information on the October 23, 2015 Golden Jubilee Celebration or
the International Imperial Court System please visit:
www.impcourt.org