José Julio Sarria also known as The Grand Mere, Absolute Empress I de San Francisco, and the Widow Norton (December 13, 1922 – August 19, 2013) was an American political activist from San Francisco, California, who in 1961 became the first openly gay candidate for public office in the United States. He is also remembered for performing as a drag queen at the Black Cat Bar and as the founder of the Imperial Court System.
The Band will lead a procession of Imperial Court Emperors and Empresses and other dignitaries to to Emperor Norton’s grave site at Woodlawn Cemetery. At the grave site, past Empress Donna Sachet will lead a short program with music and speeches, followed by the introduction of the typically just newly-elected Empress and Emperor.
Find out more about the Widow Norton at: http://www.imperialcouncilsf.org/founder.html