by tim parks –
As one of the oldest LGBT organizations around the globe and certainly the oldest in North America, the International Court System of the United States, Canada and Mexico has a rich and storied history. Founded in San Francisco by renown activist, drag queen and performer José Julio Sarria in 1965—who would come to be known by the title of Absolute Empress I de San Francisco, the Widow Norton—The Imperial Court System would eventually become one of the largest LGBTQ organizations in the world, growing to 70 chapters.
From those early days when it was still illegal, even dangerous to dress in drag or be gay, those forbearers took on a vital advocacy role in the fight for LGBTQ human rights, encouraging people to stand up for themselves and to reject second-class status.
This pioneering movement has been captured on film by San Francisco-based filmmaker Jethro Patalinghug in the documentary 50 Years of Fabulous. The film chronicles the organization, its players and their efforts to fundraise, fight the status quo and raise awareness.
The Rage Monthly spoke with Patalinghug about that this important institute and also chatted with San Diego’s very own Nicole Murray-Ramirez, also known by the Imperial Court title of Empress Nicole the Great, The Queen Mother of the Americas.
Patalinghug “stumbled upon” the project by way of its executive producer David Lassman, as he explained. “David was the one who initiated the project and he approached me to see if I wanted to help. When I heard about the story, I immediately decided that it was worth telling,” he said.
“They’re very much involved in the city [San Francisco]; I was involved as well with the gay Asian community and we run in common circles in the fundraising community there. I had limited knowledge about them but not in depth, I just knew that they were raising money for the community in drag.”
Our Southern California chapter, The Imperial Court de San Diego and its Coronation have the honor of being one of the city’s torchbearer LGBTQ event, having taken place since 1972. It came to be during an era when homosexuals could not rent a ballroom or even openly own a bar, because it was frowned upon to issue a liquor license to “deviants.”
A time that San Diego’s Murray-Ramirez, remembers as if it were yesterday. He is grateful that the documentary touches on it, “I think it tells more than just the history of The Imperial Court,” Murray-Ramirez said of the film. “It shows the history of those times in the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s and ’90s of the LGBTQ community. I’m glad it covers some of what people don’t know about, even to this day. How our bars were raided, how people were treated and how we were definitely second-class citizens.”
“The Imperial Court is all about education. There is no other program that continually educates the younger generation about the organizations that have pioneered the fight and all the causes.“
Since those early days, Murray-Ramirez explained that the organization has been instrumental in funding local Pride events, AIDS Walks and The San Diego LGBT Center as well. “In the ‘60s and ‘70s, there weren’t that many organizations raising money. The vast majority of funding for Pride and The Center was from drag shows in the bars, so the community and organizations relied on The Imperial Court,” he shared.
“It’s important that the film tells the story of our larger community—but also the important role that The Imperial Court and drag shows—how that helped establish the organizations that are thriving today.”
Patalinghug echoed the sentiment about how crucial The Imperial Court’s overall fundraising efforts have been over the decades. “The most important thing I learned while making the documentary was that they spearheaded fundraising through their chapters throughout the country during the HIV and AIDS crisis. I thought it was really heroic of them to come to the rescue at a time when the government did not want to respond or acknowledge the crisis,” Patalinghug explained. “And then their resilience, no other organization has lasted this long. That’s a testament to the kind of work and the kind of dedication and passion that they have.”
Despite all The Imperial Court has done, however, its labors remain somewhat unrecognized. The Court’s work and the work of its many members retain sort of an unsung hero status in the community. “It is kind of like a time capsule, they have their traditions, and that’s actually part of their strength.” Patalinghug explained.
“Some people see it as not very progressive and there are thousands of other LGBTQ organizations out there now for fundraising,” he reflected. “But you can look at it from another perspective, too, The Imperial Court is all about education. There is no other program that continually educates the younger generation about the organizations that have pioneered the fight and all the causes. That really helps to preserve our history as a community.”
“Throughout the years, they’ve (mainstream society) tried to erase us, they’ve tried to forget about us and we’re still here. The Imperial Court is a testament to that; a testament to the strength of our community. I hope that the audience will have the same takeaway, as well.”
In turn, Patalinghug is giving the LGBTQ community an all-important history lesson, indeed the larger community with 50 Years of Fabulous. Murray-Ramirez, who has been a part of The Imperial Court system for 45 years, had nothing but praise for the film. Personally sharing that he “feels blessed with the growth of The Imperial Court” over the years.
As to what the documentary means to Patalinghug and what he hopes audiences will glean from watching it? “The takeaway for me is that we are a resilient community,” he said. “Throughout the years, they’ve (mainstream society) tried to erase us, they’ve tried to forget about us and we’re still here. The Imperial Court is a testament to that; a testament to the strength of our community. I hope that the audience will have the same takeaway, as well.” “Throughout the years, they’ve (mainstream society) tried to erase us, they’ve tried to forget about us and we’re still here. The Imperial Court is a testament to that; a testament to the strength of our community. I hope that the audience will have the same takeaway, as well.”
There will be a San Diego screening of 50 Years of Fabulous, presented by FilmOut, Unite Music Festival and San Diego Pride on Wednesday, July 10 at 7 p.m. inside the Hillcrest Landmark Cinemas, 3965 Fifth Avenue in San Diego. For tickets and more information, go to filmoutsandiego.com.