Scroll To Top
Obituaries

PHOTOS: Elegance and Honor, the State Funeral of José Sarria

PHOTOS: Elegance and Honor, the State Funeral of José Sarria

Mama-jose_by-nate-gowdyx400_0

The state funeral of legendary gay rights activist Jose Julio Sarria was a combination events: The social event of the season, a glittering photo op, and a deeply emotional tribute to a stellar figure in the LGBT movement.

xtyfr

From a job as a waiter at the notorious Black Cat bar to a state funeral held at the prestigious Grace Cathedral at the top of Nob Hill in San Francisco, Sarria's life has been an inspiration to not only his Bay Area followers and fans, but the larger LGBT community that wanted to participate in government and public service.

Jose Julio Sarria's official title was Empress Jose I, the Widow Norton, and his memorial -- A Celebration of Life for Jose Julio Sarria -- was held on Friday, September 6, 2013 in San Francisco, Calif. Sarria, who was born in San Francisco in 1922, died at his home in Albuquerque on Aug. 19 at the age of 90.

Sarria founded the Imperial Court system in San Francisco and the organization that focused on community service and celebration grew nationwide to include at least 70 other court systems.

SFGate.com reports that Sarria was buried in a grave next to the last resting place of Joshua Abraham Norton, better known at Norton I, Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico.

Gratitude goes to Bay Area photographer Liz Highleyman for her photos here. See more from this special day on her Facebook page.

Grace03x633_0

For more images from this celebration go to the following pages >>>

Dufty_etcx633_0
Int the photo above: Mayor's Homeless Coordinator Bevan Dufty, Treasuer Jose Cisneros, Supervisor Scott Weiner Tom Horn former BAR publisher; Second row; Michael Yamashita, publisher Bay Area Reporter.

Sisters-of-perpetual-indulgencex633_0
The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence

Sarria_gracex633_0
Mourners pay respects.

Empress-xli-galileax633_0
Empress XLI Galilea

Colleen_smallx633_0
Colleen Small

Exiting02x633_0
Mourners exit Grace Cathedral to join the cortege to Woodlawn Memoria; Park in Colma.

Exiting04x633_0
Mourners exit Grace Cathedral to join the cortege to Woodlawn Memoria; Park in Colma.

Exiting03x633_0
Mourners exit Grace Cathedral to join the cortege to Woodlawn Memoria; Park in Colma.

Exiting05x633_0
Mourners exit Grace Cathedral to join the cortege to Woodlawn Memoria; Park in Colma.

Nicole-murray-ramirez-accepts-flagx633_0
Nicole Murray Ramirez accepts the memorial flag.

Nicole-murray-ramirez-queen-mother-of-the-americasx633_0
Nicole Murray Ramirez, Queen Mother of the Americas

Woodlawn-memorial-park-colma01x633_0
A arge crowd gathered at Woodlawnd Memorial Park in Colma.

Courtsystemcapesx633_0
Court system royalty stands guard at Woodlawnd Memorial Park in Colma.

Woodlawn-memorial-park-colma_sistersx633_0
Vigilant Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence set a tone of glamor and respect.

Woodlawn-memorial-park-colma02x633_0
Front row mourners in the bright Bay Area sun.

Woodlawn-memorial-park-colma03x633_0
A tearful moment before parting for the memorial reception at the Lookout.


Memorial-reception-the-lookout001x633_0
The memorial reception was held at the Lookout at 16th St. and Market St. in the Castro.

Memorial-reception-the-lookout01x633_0
The memorial reception at the Lookout.

Memorial-reception-the-lookout03x633_0
The memorial reception at the Lookout.

Memorial-reception-the-lookout04x633_0
The memorial reception at the Lookout.

Memorial-reception-the-lookout05x633_0
The memorial reception at the Lookout.

Memorial-reception-the-lookout06x633_0
Certainly, the best hair at the memorial reception at the Lookout.

xtyfr
Advocate Channel - The Pride StoreOut / Advocate Magazine - Fellow Travelers & Jamie Lee Curtis

From our Sponsors

Most Popular

Latest Stories

Christopher Harrity

Christopher Harrity is the Manager of Online Production for Here Media, parent company to The Advocate and Out. He enjoys assembling online features on artists and photographers, and you can often find him poring over the mouldering archives of the magazines.
Christopher Harrity is the Manager of Online Production for Here Media, parent company to The Advocate and Out. He enjoys assembling online features on artists and photographers, and you can often find him poring over the mouldering archives of the magazines.