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Finding aid to the Imperial Courts collection, 1959-2009 Coll2012-130

Marc LaRocque and Loni Shibuyama ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern (c) 2012, 2017 909 West Adams Boulevard , California 90007 [email protected] URL: http://one.usc.edu

Finding aid to the Imperial Courts Coll2012-130 1 collection, 1959-2009 Coll2012-130 Language of Material: English Contributing Institution: ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California Title: Imperial Courts collection creator: Imperial Courts Identifier/Call Number: Coll2012-130 Physical Description: 1.6 Linear Feet3 boxes. Date (inclusive): 1959-2009 Abstract: Photographs, flyers, organizational correspondence, court lists, polling sheets, clippings, notes, manuscripts, ephemera, and other material documenting activities of Imperial Courts, primarily in Southern California and , 1959-2009. The Imperial Courts originated in San Francisco in 1965 as gay community social and fundraising events with a camp Imperial theme; the annual main event featured the of elected monarchs (a king and queen) who in turn selected a . Historical Note According to a short history from the collection, the Imperial Courts (or the "Imperial Court system") originated in San Francisco in 1965 as gay community social events with a camp Imperial theme; the annual main event featured the coronation of elected monarchs (a king and queen) who then selected a royal court. Imperial Court events soon assumed a more serious purpose (community-oriented fundraising), while retaining their irreverent and festive spirit. Access The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions. Publication Rights All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the ONE Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives at USC Libraries as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained. Acquisition Information Date and donor(s) of materials unknown. Preferred Citation Box #, folder #, Imperial Courts Collection, Coll2012-130, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, Los Angeles, California Processing Information Collection processed by Sophie Frank, with assistance from Marc LaRocque and David Hensley, 2017. Scope and Content Photographs and negatives, flyers, organizational correspondence, court lists, polling sheets, clippings, notes, manuscripts, annual reports, ephemera, and other material documenting activities of Imperial Courts, primarily in Southern California and San Francisco, 1973-1994. According to a short history from the collection, the Imperial Courts (or the "Imperial Court system") originated in San Francisco in 1965 as gay community social events with a camp Imperial theme; the annual main event featured the coronation of elected monarchs (a king and queen) who in turn selected a royal court. Imperial Court events soon assumed a more serious purpose (community-oriented fundraising), while retaining their irreverent festive spirit. The collection documents fundraisers and other events staged by both local and cooperating courts. Arrangement The collection is arranged alphabetically with photographs at the end. Subjects and Indexing Terms Cross dressing -- Competitions -- United States Drag balls Drag shows Gay clubs -- California -- Los Angeles Gay men -- Societies and clubs

Box 2, Folder 3 Emperor Luigi 1973 Box 1, Folder 1 Imperial Council of Courts 1973-1976 Box 1, Folder 2 Inland Empire 1978-1983 Box 2, Folder 4 Leonard, Lee 1974-1979

Finding aid to the Imperial Courts Coll2012-130 2 collection, 1959-2009 Coll2012-130 Box 1, Folder 3 Long Beach 1972-1993 Box 1, Folder 6-15 Los Angeles 1972-2009 Box 2, Folder 5 Murray, Nicole Ramirez 1978 Box 1, Folder 4 Orange County 1977-1981 Box 2, Folder 1 Other Cities 1972-1987 Box 1, Folder 5 1976-1994 Box 1, San Francisco 1971-1989 Folder 16-19 Box 2, Folder 6 Sarria, Jose 1959-1985 Box 2, Folder 2 Unidentified cities 1972-1993 Photographs Box 3, Folder 1 The Columns Northwest, photographs undated Box 3, Folder 2 Caringi, Emperor Michael circa 1975-1976 Box 3, Folder 3 Empress I La Rey undated Box 3, Folder 4 Inland Empire circa 1972 Box 3, Folder 5 Ruben, photographer 1973-1975 Box 3, Folder 6 , photographs by L. Edwards 1993 Box 3, Folder 7 San Francisco 1978 Box 3, Folder 8 Sarria, Jose 1978-1987 Box 3, Folder 9 South Bay Coronation Cruise 1975 Box 3, Towne Club by J.C. Pearson 1975 Folder 10-12 Box 3, Miscellaneous photographs undated Folder 13-14

Finding aid to the Imperial Courts Coll2012-130 3 collection, 1959-2009 Coll2012-130