Jose Sarria-all hail THE Empress.
Ask any true historian who's studied the trajectory of the modern-day LGBT movement in San Francisco: "Which leader embodied the spirit of 'Gay Pride'?", the first name from their lips should be Jose Julio Sarria.
Jose was an out, proud, unapologetic, nelly queen who, years before Stonewall, believed that the crux of most LGBT's problems could be solved by coming out, standing up for yourself and your fellows, and owning up to how nature made you.
Jose, born in 1922, was the son of educated and culturally-aware Columbian immigrant parents who worked blue-collar jobs after landing in the City. They never married and his mother, one of his fiercest advocates and protectors, encouraged her son's interest in the arts and helped him pursue his dream of one day becoming an opera star. Jose, like most men of his era, joined the armed forces in WWII serving until 1947. He told his friends that because he was so small -- a mere 95lbs -- no branch of the military would have him until he found a recruiter who he had sex with. Then he was in. He was eventually stationed in Berlin and worked his way up to the rank of Staff Sergeant.
Jose Sarria during WWII
Upon returning home to the States he started working as a cocktail waiter at the City's most infamous Gay bar, The Black Cat, in the post-war, beat-generation, queer-friendly enclave of North Beach. He had planned on being a teacher, but, following a bust on moral charges -- a common experience for out homosexuals of that era -- he realized that dream would be impossible. Instead he donned a wig and a frock and began his run as a drag queen performing at The Black Cat.
Jose was clever and liked to rework popular songs into parodies making them bawdy or Queer positive. He grew more and more frustrated with his and his fellow Queers lot in life. Jose helped start political organizations like League for Civil Education, the Tavern Guild and the Society for Individual Rights in order to help combat the stigma and prejudice associated with being Queer that was prevalent throughout the City and country.
Jose Sarria's get out the vote campaign card from 1961
In 1961, taking the boldest step of all, he became the first Gay person in the history of the US to run for political office as a City Supervisor. He received nearly 7000 votes. His platform appealed to the working class and the Queer community demanding better working conditions, an end to SFPD harassment and equality for all.
Post political run he started the Imperial Court System which grew out of the early Beaux Art Balls, lavish annual over the top parties, thrown and attended by large numbers of out LGBT San Franciscans. According to the Imperial Court’s website Jose declared, “why be a queen when he could be an empress?” So, he proclaimed himself the Empress of San Francisco. Later, to further enhance his title, Sarria drew upon the legend of the Emperor Joshua Abraham Norton, the fabulously eccentric 19th-century San Franciscan miner and rice baron who gained and lost at least one fortune, thus the Widow Norton was born. Soon the court system spread across the nation, and the globe, to 6600 locations. The Imperial Court continues to this day. It raises money for charities, promotes Queer visibility, and helps to organize on a grassroot level for LGBT concerns worldwide.
Jose was a force of nature. His kind is in short supply these days. He will be sorely missed by his extensive Queer family and the court system he helped found and lead for over four decades. He donated all of his papers, many of his gowns, and photos to the GLBT Historical Society, which he loved. An impromptu gathering was held the night of August 19th following his passing at the Twin Peaks Tavern where old friends gathered to tell stories and raise a toast in his honor. The SF Imperial Court is planning a much larger to do in the future to honor their 'Mother' and we'll keep you informed of where that'll be.
We close with classic Jose singing one of his signature songs 'God Save Us Nelly Queens'. Rest in peace Empress your good work here is done.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDjyE50ds2Y&feature=player_embedded#t=13
