Monday, August 19, 2013

RIP: Gay Rights Pioneer Jose Sarria Is Dead at 91


Sad to hear about the passing of Jose Sarria, the first openly gay man to run for public office in the United States.

A remembrance from the NGLTF:
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force mourns the loss of LGBT rights pioneer Jose Julio Sarria. He was 91, a World War II veteran and the first openly LGBT candidate to run for public office in North America. Sarria was a candidate for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1961.

In 1965, Sarria declared himself “Empress Jose I, The Widow Norton” after winning a drag queen competition at the Tavern Guild’s “Beaux Arts Ball.” With that proclamation, the first Court Chapter of the International Court System was established.

Russell Roybal, First Imperial Grandson to Empress I Jose, The Widow Norton and Deputy Executive Director of External Relations of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, said: “Words cannot express what a tremendous loss I feel today on the passing of Jose Sarria. He is an icon of the LGBT community, a hero, a mentor and a friend. Jose brought laughter, camp and fun to all of our lives and to the struggle not just for gay and lesbian liberation, but for all people. His legacy as a gay Latino leader, activist and drag queen will live on for all of us who share his commitment to the communities from which we come.”
RIP, Empress.

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