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.

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.

1.6 Linear Feet 3 boxes.

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.

The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.