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WELCOME TO
THE IMPERIAL SOVEREIGN COURT OF SPOKANE

The History starts in the 1940's as Jose Julio Sarria entered gay history
when he began to cover for his then boyfriend Jimmy, a waiter at the
Black Cat Bar on Montgomery Street in San Francisco. In Post WW II,
an influx of gay and lesbian discharged veterans was swelling in the city's
gay communities. While the Castro was still a primarily Hetero, blue
collar neighborhood, the Black Cat had already developed an international
reputation as a gay meeting place. One Day, while Jose was serving
drinks and the pianist was playing Bizet's "Carmen", Sarria began to sing
arias to the opera. Soon, he became a big hit and his reputation was
born. Here is a general bibliography of JOSE SARRIA;
Pioneering GLBTQ social activist and founder of the Royal Court System (RCS),
recently renamed the International Court System (ICS). Also know as “Her Royal
Majesty, Empress José the First” and “The Widow Norton.”
José Sarria was born December 12th, 1923 and raised in San Francisco, CA.
His mother, Maria Dolores, and father, Julio Sarria, were Latino/a immigrants.
José served in the Army from 1942 to 1947. He was trained as a cook at Fort
Ord and spent two years in Berlin at the end of World War II as a personal
attaché to a colonel. He was discharged in 1947 but stayed in the Reserves until
his mid-thirties. After leaving the Army, José returned to San Francisco and
shortly thereafter became employed at the Black Cat Cafe as first a cocktail
waiter, then a social hostess, and eventually as a female impersonator (and bar
icon) doing parodies of operas. While not a gay bar in a contemporary sense,
the Black Cat was a widely know as a bohemian type hangout where people with
apparently different sexual sensibilities were accepted and often admired. José
very much considered the Black Cat a place where he could be himself, had an
agreement with the owner that he would only perform there (exceptions were
made for charitable events), and would work there from 1947 until it lost liquor
license and closed in 1964.
Rejecting what he saw as a secretive focus to the Mattachine Society, José and
his friends created the League for Civil Education in 1960. It was a grass roots
civil rights group that set out to educate both gay and straight people about
police raids and to provide emergency funds to those being discriminated
against. As a founding member of this group, and in response to continued
efforts to revoke the Black Cat’s liquor license and the harassment of other gay
owned businesses, José became the first openly gay candidate for an elected
office in the United States. In 1961 he ran for a seat on the San Francisco Board
of Supervisors. José lost the election and it would not be until 1977 that an
openly gay individual (Harvey Milk) would finally win a seat on the board.
In 1963 the group split over internal conflicts and José helped found a new group
called the Society for Individual Rights (SIR). Monies for the SIR ware largely
raised from staging drag shows, such as the “Celebritycapades,” with these
funds often being used to help people having legal problems. Both the
educational and the charitable foci of these groups would become important
aspects of the RCS José would found just a few years later.
In 1964, The Tavern Guild, an association of gay bars, at their annual Beaux Arts
Ball held every Halloween conferred upon José the honorary title of “Queen of
the Ball.” Apparently the title was not regal enough for him—after all, being a
queen in this context was somewhat common—so he declared himself, “Empress
José the First.” This would become the Royal Court Systems first official
position. To further support his status of empress, and reflecting the importance
of camp in the RCS/ICS, José added the subtitle of “The Widow Norton.”
Joshua Norton lived in San Francisco during the Gold Rush. Once a prominent
merchant in the community, he had fallen on economic hard times and began
referring to himself as, “Joshua Norton the First, Emperor of North America and
Protector of Mexico.” Whereas many cities would have ignored his proclamation,
the media and the leaders and citizens of San Francisco found him quite amusing
and literally treated him like royalty with him receiving free meals wherever he
went and a yearly clothing stipend from the city. Emperor Norton died around the
turn of the century and was buried in Woodlawn cemetery. José , the loving
Widow Norton, holds an annual memorial service for his departed husband every
year. Beginning in the early 1980’s, the annual service became a more somber
event and also started to be memorial for all those lost to AIDS in the court
community.
The Royal Court System was officially founded in 1965 and represents one of
the oldest GLBTQ groups in the world still in existence. Today ICS is made up
65 local chapters called courts (57) and baronies (8). Positions in these local
chapters, and throughout the court system, are designated by campy titles such
as empress, emperor, princess, prince, duchess and duke. Titleholders are
expected to dress their gendered parts replete with typically regal attire and
appropriate accouterments (e.g., tiaras, scepters, gowns, tuxedos).   With a few
notable exceptions, most female titles are held by gay drag queens while male
titles are held by both gay men and lesbian women. Those holding the female
titles, especially that of empress, often are the most powerful individuals and
promoted as the leaders of the given court. While lesbian women have
traditionally participated in the court in much smaller numbers than gay men,
many gay court members have died from AIDS over the past fifteen years, and
lesbians today seem to be taking on a more prominent role in some of the courts.
Consistent with its beginnings, each court serves as a charitable organization for
those in need in the community (both gay and straight). Today, many of the
monies raised go towards various organizations associated with AIDS. Drags
shows are the primary place where money is collected (often a single dollar at a
time) given to the performers while on stage. The ICS raises millions of dollars
each year and is one of the most successful charities in many communities (gay
and straight). In spite of the frequent rejection of drag queens by more
conservative members of various gay and lesbian communities, the ISC has
served as a vitally important lifeline to many GLBTQ people in cities throughout
North America and now Great Britain. José’s legacy in the ISC will live on long
after he passes away.

In the 1950's Gay men and women were arrested on a number of
charges used to keep homosexuals in the closet and hidden. Against this
oppression, Jose would change the lyrics of his arias to warn people of
the entrapment practices of the police first coining the phrase "There is
nothing wrong with being Gay, the crime is getting caught" and "United
we stand, Divided they get us one by one".

Police pressures, entrapment schemes, and raids continued in the 50's
when the gay bars developed an association to spread warnings about
the oppression. In 1961, Jose became the very first openly gay
candidate to run for public office, seeking the position as city supervisor,
a position held 16 years later by an openly gay Harvey Milk. Although
Sarria did not win in 1961, he did garner an impressive 5,600 votes and
sparked a change in the voting laws allowing for votes by ward, not city
wide. This allowed for minority candidates to win election, hence the
arrival of Harvey Milk in 1977.

In early 1965, Sarria and various gay bar owners put on the first "Drag
Ball" of which Sarria was named "Queen of the Ball". At this, "she"
exclaimed "Why be a QUEEN when I can be an EMPRESS?". So he
proclaimed himself Empress of San Francisco. To further enhance the
title, he drew upon the legend of Emperor Norton, the eccentric 19th
century San Francisco miner and rice baron. During his lifetime, he
dressed finely and proclaimed himself Emperor of the USA and Canada
and protector of Mexico. Heir in spirit and not by law, Jose proclaimed
himself "The Widow Norton" and began annual pilgrimages to Norton's
grave in nearby Colma where he and accompanying drag queens would
pay their respects with flowers to Sarria's departed "spouse". This
tradition continues to this day. Eventually the "Ball" , now changed to
"Coronation", sparked an annual event marking the election of Empress
and Emperor. Jose developed bylaws and functions of the Imperial Court
of San Francisco, a group that sought, through drag shows and other
functions, to raise monies for gay charities. By the early 70's, the Court
System established by Sarria has been franchised to first Vancouver BC,
and then Portland, and eventually Seattle, Tacoma, Bellingham, Everett,
Vancouver and Spokane. Over the next 30 years, individual courts, under
the guidance of Widow Norton, "Mama" as she is called, have spread to
over 70 areas, some cities, some entire states. While the courts avoid,
by ruling, partisan politics, they funnel thousands and thousands of dollars
into community charities, as a strong grassroots organization interlinked
by monarchs attending the annual coronation balls of other courts and
now expanding to the Internet. Jose will remain active, but has recently
descended the throne (See Below) & still resides in the San Francisco
Bay Area. He is truly a hero and role model for all of us. For more
information about International Affiliates, please go to WWW.IMPCOURT.
ORG

As of February 2007 -   I thus proclaim that the line of succession to
Empress I Jose and ALL its heirs is being retired and will no longer exist
because my succession is being fulfilled by Empress Nicole the Great. No
past heir to me can ever use or be announced with their former title or
position after 17 February 2007. It can only be announced at her or his
state funeral or at mine.   Furthermore, Empress Nicole the Great will
now name new heirs and create new council. As Empress Nicole the
Great assumes my duties, obligations and authority as the titular leader
and Queen Mother of these three great nations, she is to be accorded all
the rights and respect that she has earned in her over 35 years of serving
our court system and fighting for the equality of all people. I look forward
to seeing all my children in Seattle on 17 February 2007 and to the
continued growth and success of the International Court System
I remain yours forever,
Mama Empress I Jose, The Widow Norton Founder, International Court
System

**** Official Statement ****
Empress Nicole the Great
President, International Court Council
*U.S.A. * Canada * Mexico
Queen Mother of the Americas

As our International Court System is about to begin another era of
service and noble deeds, our beloved founder, Empress I Jose, The
Widow Norton, in all her wisdom, has felt it is time to pass on the
leadership to a new generation so that we can together take this
international organization into its proper place in this, the 21st Century.
My noble sisters and brothers, it is time for changes and a new
beginning. I thus proclaim this next decade one of a true "Renaissance"
period that all are invited to participate and give voice to. The final decree
of Empress I Jose retiring all her heirs and passing on all her "duties,
obligations and authority" to me is indeed a big responsibility which I take
with the utmost of humility. After consultation with our Council's
corporate attorney and legal advisors, I thus officially announce that the
current Council and officers are to continue for 30 days in an "interim
position" as we go through this transition. I further decree that upon my
formal resignation as President of the International Council, an interim
President will be elected in Seattle. I hope within 30 days to name a new
line of succession and heirs that will reflect the true diversity of our GLBT
community.   The fact that there is not one lesbian or transsexual on our
current Council is totally unacceptable to me. And, that there is a lack of
younger members of a different generation and only one African-
American is also of concern. During my stay in Seattle, I will meet
privately with the current Council members and heirs to evaluate their
record and productive involvement on the Council...or the lack there of.
Empress Panzi of New York will be contacting each Council member to
arrange a "private tea with the Queen" at my suite. Communication and
information is one of the greatest voids within this council and
organization, thus I am announcing the appointment of Empress Christy of
Texas as the Council's interim corresponding secretary. And, from this
day forth, all courts will receive the minutes of every International Court
Council meeting. I am also reestablishing the "International Court
Communiqué" and have appointed Emperor Chris Horton as its Editor-in-
Chief. Our International Court's web page must also be greatly improved.
As Queen Mother of the Americas, I am establishing an Imperial Cabinet
with Ministers to advise and assist me. Thus, I have appointed well-
known corporate executive Emperor Rick Ford as the Prime Minister of
my Cabinet. I heard your voices, concerns and suggestions coming from
our First International Court Conference held in Palm Springs and chaired
by Emperor Larry of Reno. I have directed the conference's facilitator,
Mr. Russell Roybal of the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF)
to give an official report on the conference and he will be flying in from
Washington, D.C. to Seattle. I hope to announce another conference this
year with the theme International Court Conference II Renaissance
2007. I wish to also extend my hand in loyalty and support to the Courts
of Canada who I have always felt are not always given the recognition
and respect that they so much deserve. This will change. Let there be no
mistake that Empress I Jose is our beloved founder and most importantly
an historic pioneer in our GLBT history and civil rights movement and that
she will always be treated with the greatest respect and dignity. Any
disrespect will be considered by me as a personal affront. I consider it
my duty to safeguard her legacy and proper place in our GLBT history. In
closing, I would especially like to acknowledge and thank Empress Coco
LaChine, Empress Milo, Empress Jack-E, Emperor Kevin Drake,
Empress Panzi and Empress Remy for their advice and counsel as well
as my Prime Minister, Emperor Rick Ford. As we begin this new chapter
in our court's history, I look forward to this journey and ask each of you
to not walk behind me or in front of me, but walk beside me as we
celebrate a new beginning in Seattle as the official Renaissance Decade
begins.   God bless you. Long live the Monarchy. Long live Jose!
Empress Nicole the Great Queen Mother of the Americas

Contact info: Nicole Murray-Ramirez
P.O. Box 33915 San Diego, CA 92163
Email - Nicolemrsd@aol.com Ph - (619) 692-1967