From Frontiers LA: http://www.frontiersla.com/frontiers-blog/2013/08/19/imperial-court-founder-jose-julio-sarria-has-died-at-91
Karen Ocamb
8/19/2013
LGBT pioneer Jose Julio Sarria died quietly at home in New Mexico Monday morning. Sarria was 91.
In 1961, Sarria became the first openly gay person to run for public office as a candidate for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. At the time, homosexuality was illegal in the state. But Sarria is perhaps best known as “Empress Jose I, the Widow Norton,” and founder of the International Imperial Court.
The Imperial Court was honored by CSW/LA Pride in 2010 as the Community Grand Marshalls for their decades of community service and fundraising.
I will have more on this incredible gay man and proud drag queen in an upcoming special report.
