Yesterday, Cory and I did our queer San Francisco civic duty, when we trekked to the Castro Bart Station, in the famed Harvey Milk Plaza, and voted for the Empress and Emperor of the city, surrounded by voting friends.
“But, I didn’t know we had an Empress,” you say? We do indeed. In fact, we’ve had 55 Absolute Empresses reigning as far back as the Beaux Arts Ball in 1964, (official reign starting October 31, 1965), when José Julio Sarria — a proud, openly gay Latino drag queen and iconic political activist for LGBT Civil Rights — declared himself Absolute Empress I de San Francisco, the Widow Norton.
Sarria’s assumption of this title led to the founding of the Imperial Court System, a non-profit that holds events and collects charitable contributions for distribution to other 501(c)(3)s that do not discriminate based on race, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion or ethnic background.
Voting day is always a bright and fun time when candidates and their supporters go out in droves to encourage San Francisco, Marin, or San Mateo County residents to vote for their queer imperial pick. Results to be revealed at Coronation 56 on Saturday, April 24, 2021.
If you would like to learn more about Sarria and the Imperial Council, I highly suggest you watch 50 Years of Fabulous, an award-winning documentary film covering the organization’s historical evolution.
Current Reign
Soon to hand over their crowns are Her Most Imperial Majesty, The Modest and Simply Graceful Empress, The Reigning Empress of San Francisco, Mimi Osa and His Most Imperial Majesty, The Floriferous Golden Bull Emperor, The Reigning Emperor of San Francisco, William Bulkley.
The Candidates
– For Empress –
Ehra Amaya, SF local drag queen, LGBTQA+ rights activist, and dancer and Juanita MORE!, legendary San Francisco drag queen, activist, and philanthropist.
Images from coronation materials on www.imperialcouncilsf.org
– For Emperor –
Mr. David Glamamore, fashion designer
Voting Day Sights:
As I said, Voting Day is normally a bright and lively affair, and what better way to paint this scene than with pictures? Special thanks to Chris Knight, at LeftCoastScenes.com, for our use of the following photos.
Juanita MORE!’s Rainbow Coalition – Photo: Chris Knight
