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Sunday, Nov 22, 2009
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Flirty and dirty with José Sarria EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: The Imperial Sovereign Court's Widow Norton |
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| Flirty and dirty with José Sarria EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: The Imperial Sovereign Court's Widow Norton |
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| by Scott Rice -
SGN Contributing Writer You may call him The Nightingale of Montgomery Street. You may call him Empress José I, The Widow Norton. And you may call him simply José. But whatever you do, don't call him a drag queen. José Julio Sarria is a Queer legend. But first, he is an entertainer. After scrapping plans to become a teacher, Sarria made his name in San Francisco's bohemian circles by waiting tables and singing opera at the legendary Black Cat. He went on to become an early activist for LGBT civil rights, the first openly Queer candidate for public office (he lost - Milk later won), a successful entrepreneur, and the founder of the International Imperial Court System (IICS), one of the largest Queer organizations dedicated to raising money for our community. Sarria is flirty, charming, and, frankly, a little dirty. I think I have a crush on him. I know I have a date with him when he comes to town next week for the Imperial Sovereign Court of Seattle & the Olympic and Rainier Empire Coronation 2009, Saturday, February 14 at the Marriott Waterfront Hotel. Scott Rice: I know I'm not supposed to ask, but how old are you? José Sarria: I'm 86 years old. When we meet, you'll pay for it. Rice: I believe you. [Laughs.] What was the world of drag like before the Imperial Court? Sarria: Not any different besides dressing up and the naming of dukes and duchesses. Drag was not for fundraising; we made it that. We borrowed the royalty to draw people in. Rice: Tell me about the Imperial Court? Sarria: It's the largest fundraising organization, 70 chapters in Canada, U.S. and Mexico. They try to raise money for needy causes. We've raised millions of dollars, established scholarships. It's been going on for 44 years. Rice: What prompted its founding - did you have an idea one day, or did things evolve over time? Sarria: I needed to unite the community. That's when I did it. It didn't evolve; I created it. The community was a scattered community and it had to be brought together, to make them understand they weren't second-rate citizens. We should enjoy life like anybody else. I never thought myself to be a second-rate citizen. The only thing that was different was what I did in the bedroom. And that doesn't interfere with how you use a typewriter, does it? Rice: Not unless I'm using a typewriter in the bedroom. It seems like there are two hierarchies in the world of drag, the public hierarchy that borrows the language of royalty and the private hierarchy that borrows the language of family. Do I have this right? Sarria: The court system includes everybody. The titles are make-believe. I hate the words "drag queen." I'm not a drag queen; I'm an entertainer. I dress to make money. I'm Gay because I like men. I like to play with their dicks. What do you like to do? Rice: I like men, too. Sarria: Oh, you'll pay. I'll make you pay when I get there. What color hair do you have? Rice: Blonde. Sarria: Are you hairy? Do you have a hairy chest? Rice: Yeah, I have a hairy chest. Sarria: Some of these kids that are drag queens wish they were ladies. Do you understand? I have a dick and it still works some of the time. Rice: Why is drag performance important, or is it important? Sarria: I sang Carmen. If I sing Carmen, I should look like Carmen. Do you understand? Rice: Yeah, I do. What's it like to be an historical figure with a street in San Francisco named after you? Sarria: I tell you it was very embarrassing. I never did things for my own gratification. I did things because the community needed me to. Do you have someone? Rice: I've been with my partner, Steve, for 16 years. Sarria: Is he hairy? Rice: Yes. [Laughs.] Sarria: Once in a while it's not bad to pick a little strange fruit. Rice: I would agree. What will your legacy be for the Queer community? Sarria: I hope they remember me and that they remember me in a good light, remember that I wanted to help. They sometimes didn't understand me. I did it because I wanted to help the other guy. Mother said, "What you do with the right hand comes back to you in the left hand." And you must like what you do. If you like what you do, they can't supersede you. Rice: What advice do you have for young Queer folks? Sarria: For young people, the first thing to remember or live by is nothing is impossible; everything is possible. Two, be positive. Don't be negative. Life is not the best thing, but you have to make believe it is. I never thought I'd live to see a black president, and for him to do what he did, he is positive and he's instilling in people that everything is possible. Rice: Considering the debacle of Prop 8 in California and the great strides we've made since people like you began to fight for Queer civil rights after WWII, what are the priorities for our community at this moment in history? Sarria: Stick together, stop this quibbling, work together, get rid of these egos. Proposition 8 lost not because the do-gooders were united. They spent millions to fight us. Rice: Just a couple of more questions. Are you looking forward to visiting Seattle? Sarria: Yes, I am. And now I have another reason why I want to come here. How will I find you? Will I have to wait for the coronation? Rice: No, we should get together beforehand. Do you want my cell phone number? Sarria: Yes, yes. And you'll pay. |
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