God saved that nelly queen
for official street honorific

Jose Saria cast in history as first openly gay person
to ever seek elective office

San Francisco elected officials rise to attention as a block of 16th Street is renamed Jose Sarria Court. Sarria performed in drag for half a century, always closing The Black Cat saloon with solemn rendition of 'God Save Us Nelly Queens.' San Francisco Treasurer Jose Cisneros, left, with Police Chief Heather Fong, and Supervisor Bevan Duty.
Photo(s) by Bill Wilson

May 26, 2006

San Francisco immortalized her black dress and pearls former barkeep Jose Saria who became the first candidate for elective office when female impersonation was illegal.

And the band played mighty, from ranks of the San Francisco Lesbian and Gay Men Freedom Band, as City officialdom came to salute.

It then became official - the block between Pond and Prosper Streets on the Castro's 16th Street transfigured to Jose Sarria Court, under legislation authored by Supervisor Bevan Dufty.

The Castro District's openly gay Supervisor Bevan Dufty stands with Jose Sarria.

Jose Sarria, a veteran of World War II, began performing opera arias in drag in the late 1940s at the Black Cat bar on Montgomery Street, Dufty's office reported.

"He became a huge part not only of Gay entertainment in the City, but of the growing Gay civil rights movement.

"In 1961 Sarria entered the race for San Francisco Supervisor, becoming the first ever openly Gay person to run for public office. The 5,600 votes Sarria received were an early sign that the gay community could become a powerful political bloc.

"In 1965, when embattled San Francisco Gay bar operators formed the Tavern Guild, Sarria was named Queen of the Tavern Guild Ball. Sarria then renamed himself Empress Jose I, Widow of Emperor Norton, referencing the colorful San Francisco miner and rice baron who proclaimed himself Emperor of the United States and Canada, Protector of Mexico. With the Tavern Guild, Sarria continued to build a system of Emperors and Empresses, becoming the International Court System.

The International Court System has grown over 30 years and now includes over 67 chapters in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The International Court System annually contributes tens of thousands of dollars to local, state, and national charitable causes."

####