The Imperial Sovereign Court of Spokane
How did our queer community come to be?
Some queer elders in Spokane will say, without hesitation, "the court started all of this."
And it’s about time we listen to what they mean by that. What is the court, anyways?
The Imperial Sovereign Court of Spokane (ISCS) is one of the oldest LGBT-led organizations in the Inland Northwest. Founded in 1972 with the original name "Imperial Lilac Court of Spokane," the court has made a significant impact not only on its members but also the community at large.
In the early '70s, a group of gay men known as "the Peaceful Valley Boys" performed as drag queens at the gay bar, Disco 425. Their shows were delightfully entertaining and aimed to raise money and awareness for LGBTQ+ causes. At that time, the owners of Disco 425, Kenny and Billy, crossed paths with Jose Sarria, who is credited with composing what we know today as the Imperial Court System.
Kenny and Billy, along with Dolly and José, established the original charter of the Lilac City Court in Spokane with handwritten declarations, dedicated to enriching and establishing a strong and lasting community that we can appreciate to this day.
From the beginning, through the AIDS epidemic, and up until today, the court has been an integral part of the culture, providing financial and emotional support and shaping what it means to be part of the community.
The Spokane is a part of the Imperial Court System (ICS), which was founded in San Francisco in 1965 by Jose Sarria, affectionately known as “Mother Jose”. The goal of the court system, nationally and internationally, is simple - to unite and support each other, creating a place of belonging with a unified purpose to help others.
The local courts are led by monarchs, both empresses and emperors, who are elected by the people at the annual coronation ball and reign for one year. Each monarch brings their own perspectives, personality, and passions to the context of the court, emphasizing the importance of diversity in sustaining and impacting the community.
But what they all have in common is this: they are stewards of the mission of the court and compassionate toward the LGBTQ+ community. During their reign, the monarchs carve out their legacy, drawing from past successes and incorporating them into their reign.
A strong monarch is an individual who cares about the mission statement and understands it is about more than themselves. Compassion is the critical piece of this. The primary goal of the monarchs is to help the community, adjusting their work based on current community needs. For example, during Her Imperial Majesty Emperor Emeritus I of the ISCS Ladonna’s reign, she prioritized organizing fun and welcoming gatherings to increase participation in the court. At the end of her reign, court membership had reached 150 members!
At the end of one’s term, they step down, ensuring a peaceful transfer of power as they join the college of monarchs and pass the crown to the next year’s sovereigns. Members of the college of monarchs hold their position for life, providing support, guidance, structure, and mentorship for the next generation.
Through these endeavors, the court creates a sort of family for queer people. They not only support each other financially, emotionally, and physically, but they also inspire and reimagine what life is like when you show up as yourself.
Some traditions may seem archaic and outdated, but they are what hold us together, and that is exactly what we need.