Historical Note
Access
Publication Rights
Acquisition Information
Preferred Citation
Processing Information
Scope and Content
Arrangement
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 Feet
3 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 San Francisco, 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 coronation of elected monarchs (a king and queen) who in turn selected a royal court.
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