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Archives at Cornell

The North American West Coast International Imperial Court System collection

 Collection
Identifier: 7873

Content Description

Documentation of the IICS coronation balls of the founding chapters of the Pacific Northwest as they expanded to more and more cities throughout the 1970s and early 1980s. Over half of the items were owned by the third empress of the Raintree Empire of southwest Washington, Roni Bee (a pseudonym). Most programs are heavily illustrated with dozens of images of drag queens, partying and in simple moments of joy. They are also filled with gay-friendly business advertising. Many reflect the nascent years of a chapter’s existence and were created in a rainbow of colors, featuring an array of paper stocks and creative cover design.

Dates

  • 1971 - 1989

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is closed until processed.

Biographical / Historical

Founded in San Francisco in 1965 by Jose Sarria, the first openly gay candidate for public office, the International Imperial Court System (IICS) is a charitable organization with each fundraising year culminating in a coronation ball. Each individual court chapter or "Empire" is a separate, legally-incorporated charitable non-profit organization that raises funds and awareness for LGBTQIA people in need within its realm.The group grew in 1971 to include Portland, Oregon, then Seattle, WA and Vancouver, B.C. About half of the membership consists of cross dressers or drag queens.

Extent

1 cubic feet.

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Documentation of the IICS coronation balls of the founding chapters of the Pacific Northwest.

Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections Repository

Contact:
2B Carl A. Kroch Library
Cornell University
Ithaca NY 14853
607-255-3530
607-255-9524 (Fax)