Pumps and Circumstance: San Francisco Imperial Court Celebrates 50 Years

Based on European royalty, the Imperial Court System of San Francisco was created in 1965 to foster gay pride and to unify a community under siege by politicians and the police. Founded by Jose Julio Sarria (1922-2013), Absolute Empress I, The Widow Norton, the ICSF celebrated its half-centennial earlier this month with all the glitz, glitter, and glamour one would expect from such a royal gathering.

By 1969, Sarria -- emboldened by his success in San Francisco -- set out to create Imperial Courts and Empires across North America, modeled after the Imperial Court of San Francisco. By 1995, when ICSF celebrated its 30th anniversary, Sarria had helped establish more than 60 Imperial Courts and Empires throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

This year's Golden Jubilee Gala, on February 15 at the San Francisco City Hall rotunda, marked the closing ceremonies of a weeklong itinerary for resplendent royalty from around the country. Monarchs and guests at San Francisco's Galleria Design Center were treated to a kick-off show, the Monarch's Reception, a bay cruise, a visiting monarchs show, a bus tour, and the Woodlawn cemetary pilgrimage to Sarria's gravesite -- for which mourning attire was requested, naturally.

Mindful of the need to carry on the royal bloodline, the celebration also included the coronation of the new Emperor and Empress, as reigning titleholders, The Sparkling Sapphire Peacock of Politeness, Empress Misty Blue, and The Teal-Eyed, Silver Spurred, Black Stallion Emperor JP Soto, handed off their crowns and scepters to the new regime: Emperor Kevin Lisle and Empress Khmera Rouge.

Thanks to photographer Rich Stadtmiller for permission to use his images. Read more about Rich at the end of this article.

Ruffle Armada: Assembled dignitaries at the Galleria Design Center for the coronation event.

The Audience Is Listening (Mostly): Ladies and gentlemen assembled and waiting for the show to begin at Galleria Design Center.

Bears, Bearing Flags: Holding staffs high.

A Big Number: Lights, camera, dancing!

Another Big Number: She owned the stage.

Yet Another Big Number: The crowd went wild.

A Really Huge Number: Sing out, sister!

Gossip Girls: If you don't have something nice to say, sit by me.

Royal Greetings: Air kisses only, please.

Coronation time: Grins and gravitas.

Ladies and gentlemen, meet your new rulers, Emperor Kevin Lisle and Empress Khmera Rouge.

All That Glitters: The assembled crowd on the steps of the San Francisco City Hall on February 15 for the ICSF Golden Jubilee Gala.

Ready to Rumble: The cocktail crowd is ready to celebrate.

Golden Girls: A lovely evening out with the gals.

More Golden Girls: Glowing in the peachy atmosphere of the ballroom.

It Is A Golden Anniversary, After All: From headresses to ballgowns, gold was the theme for many.

Drag Is in the Details: Putting the 'man' in manicure.

Wow Factor: Gowns of many colors.

Peacock Alley: Getting the blues in the night.

The Boys and the Girls in the Band: The San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band

Opera Buffet: Careful, that lip liner took hours.

About the photographer: Rich Stadtmiller is the force behind RichTrove.com. Containing over 1,700 galleries comprising more than a quarter-million images spanning more than a decade and representing tens of thousands of individuals, RichTrove.com is arguably the Bay Area's most extensive online LGBT event image archive, and the world's largest collective family album.

His work has been recognized by the Alameda County Leather Corps, Imperial and Ducal Courts, the California Senate, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, and the Pantheon of Leather. Rich has been the official photographer for Leather Levi weekend, S.F. Leather Pride Contingent, Mr. S.F. Leather, Ms. S.F. Leather, International Ms. Leather, International LeatherSir/boy, International Bear Rendezvous, and Bare Chest Calendar events.

In addition to the RichTrove Archive, Rich's credited images have appeared in A Bear's Life Magazine, The Leather Journal, SF Bay Times, Gloss Magazine, Bay Area Reporter and BARTAB magazine. Rich organized and financially backed the Hayward Pride Street Festival in 2005 and 2006, and was an early supporter of Leather Levi Weekend.

Rich is an honorary member of the Alameda County Leather Corps and a Prince of the Realm in the San Francisco Imperial Court.