San Francisco, 1965: José Sarria, an openly gay Latino, drag queen and political activist, proclaims herself the empress of the California city. The declaration lays the foundation for the Imperial Court de San Francisco, an organization aimed at fostering a greater sense of gay pride, identity and unity within the community.
Fifty-two years later, that organization has metamorphosed into the International Court System, which contains more than 68 chapters across the United States — including Cincinnati’s Imperial Sovereign Queen City Court of the Buckeye Empire. Since its formation in 1991, the group has worked toward a solitary goal: to support the financial needs of the Tristate’s LGBTQ+ community.
“Basically, it’s totally a 100 percent fundraising organization,” says vice president Michael Cotrell — otherwise known as Brooklyn Steele-Tate, a well-known local drag queen. “Our primary focus is only to raise money for charity.”
The group currently works with organizations including Caracole, which provides HIV prevention and testing services and affordable housing for families living with HIV/AIDS; GLSEN, which works to create safe and affirming schools for all regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression; and the Women’s Health Initiative, a long-term national study focused on preventing diseases prevalent in women.
ISQCCBE works with these organizations to raise funds in a variety of ways, including hosting drag shows and movie nights and participating in large-scale events like Cincinnati Pride. In order to become one of the group’s designated charities, interested organizations must be classified as a 501(c)(3) and complete short interviews with ISQCCBE in September of each year.
To date, ISQCCBE has donated more than $1.2 million to charities supporting LGBTQ+ youth, transgender health and support groups, suicide prevention, women’s health and those affected by HIV/Aids, according to Scot Fromeyer — aka Emperor 25. ISQCCBE holds a coronation each year to elect a new emperor and empress, who serve as its fundraising chairs; this year’s monarchs are Fromeyer and Empress Molly Mormen aka Michael Wilson.
“Although it may sound cliché, I love serving our community and being out and about with such a vibrant and diverse group of organizations and individuals,” Wilson says. “Every event and every interaction with those we work with and serve makes me want to be better in one way or another.”
New this year was the implementation of the Fire & Ice scholarship, a perpetual fund awarded to members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community to attend college. The scholarship was awarded to two students and a teacher returning to school for a graduate program. Funds can be utilized in any way a recipient wishes; one student received a full ride from her college, Cotrell says, and used the Fire & Ice scholarship to cover the cost of books. The deadline for 2017 scholarships is Sept. 15, and the number of recipients will be determined by the number of applicants and available funds.
Cotrell says the organization also placed a heavier focus on families this year, hosting events like bowling, a kids’ Easter egg hunt and Drag Queen Story Hours, in which members dress in drag and read to children. For the first time, kids were also involved in the emperor and empress voting process (although their votes, listed on different colored paper, weren’t actually counted).
Family serves as the heart of the group in many different ways — despite whether or not that’s referring to relationships molded by blood.
“The ISQCCBE has become my family,” Wilson says. “Growing up Mormon and gay in Utah was a challenge; I left Salt Lake City five years ago and almost immediately lost contact with my immediate family because of my decision to come out and live openly and authentically.”
“Being in a new state, in a new city that was 1,500 miles from any type of support or social network was difficult — I’d lost my family, my faith and church and most of my friends,” he continues. “When I discovered the Court here in Cincinnati, I immediately discovered a core group of friends who loved me for who I am and showed me ways to give back to our community and those in need in ways I never thought possible. These men and women truly became my family of choice.”
Fromeyer, who became a member in 2008 after attending an event and learning more about ISQCCBE, agrees, citing the lifelong friendships he’s made within the group as one of his favorite aspects of his involvement.
Membership costs $15 a year, and new members are welcome to join at any time.
“A paid member receives a title bestowed upon them by the reigning emperor and empress, walks at all out-of-town and in-town coronations and is entitled to all voting privileges within the ISQCCBE,” Fromeyer says.
This year’s Coronation 26 takes place Oct. 5-8, during which members will celebrate the reign of Fromeyer and Molly Mormen and usher in a new emperor and empress, who will be elected and announced July 30 at the second-annual ICP Ball. Events throughout the weekend include a fashion-through-the-ages gala, a show at The Cabaret and a victory party celebration at Below Zero Lounge.
In the meantime, members are anticipating upcoming events that will continue to support the LGTBQ+ community.
“I look forward to several events that highlight the diversity of drag and expands our reach as entertainers and fundraisers,” Wilson says. “Over the next several months, we have events for women to get dressed up as drag queens and raise money for the Women’s Health Initiative, we have another competition for women who want to present as men and perform as drag kings, and we have a brand new event that focuses on the ‘gent’ aspect of performing, which is men who perform as men.
“We thrive on diversity and support any way we can bridge divides and show support to all areas of our community.”
To learn more about ISQCCBE’s local chapter and upcoming events, visit isqccbe.org. For more on the International Court System, visit impcourt.org.
This article appears in Jun 21-28, 2017.