José Sarria facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
José Sarria
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José Sarria in January 2011
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| Born | December 22, 1922 |
| Died | August 19, 2013 (aged 90) |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | The Nightingale of Montgomery Street Empress José I, The Widow Norton |
| Occupation | Waiter, singer, drag queen, LGBT rights activist, Founder of the Imperial Court System |
| Known for | The first openly gay candidate for public office in the United States |
José Sarria (December 22, 1922 – August 19, 2013) was an American activist who worked for fairness and equal rights. For many years, he performed as a drag queen (a performer, usually male, who dresses in exaggerated feminine clothing and makeup for entertainment) at the Black Cat Bar in San Francisco, California. He made history in 1961 by running for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. This made him the first openly gay person to run for public office in the United States. A part of a street in San Francisco is named in his honor.
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José Sarria's Early Life
José Sarria was born in San Francisco, California, on December 22, 1922. His mother was Maria Dolores Maldonado. José was a bright child and showed a talent for learning languages. He tutored a friend named Paul Kolish, an Austrian baron who had escaped from the Nazis. José and Paul became very close friends. Sadly, Paul and his son died in a car accident in 1947.
José Sarria's Performing and Activism
Sarria served in the United States Army during World War II. After leaving the army, he studied to become a teacher. He often visited the Black Cat Bar, a popular place in San Francisco. There, he met Jimmy Moore, who he described as a very important person in his life. Sarria started working at the Black Cat as a cocktail waiter.
Later, he began performing as a drag queen. He became a regular and popular performer at the Black Cat. José Sarria also helped start several groups that supported the interests of gay people.
In 1961, Sarria ran for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. This was a very important step, as he was the first openly gay person to seek public office in the United States. In 1964, Sarria gave himself the title "Empress José I, The Widow Norton." He then founded the Imperial Court System. This system grew into a large international group of charities that raise money for good causes.
José Sarria's Later Years
The Black Cat Bar closed in 1964. Sarria then worked with a restaurant owner named Pierre Parker. They ran French restaurants at World's Fairs. Sarria was working at the 1964 New York World's Fair when he learned that his friend Jimmy Moore had passed away.
Sarria worked at several more Fairs before he retired in 1974. He lived with Pierre Parker in Phoenix, Arizona for some years. Later, he returned to San Francisco. He continued to lead the Imperial Courts for 43 years, stepping down in 2007. The city of San Francisco honored him by renaming a part of 16th Street after him. This was to recognize his many years of working for social change and equality.
José Sarria's Passing
José Sarria died on August 19, 2013, at his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was 90 years old.
Images for kids
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A street sign for José Sarria Court, renamed in 2006 in honor of Sarria's lifetime of political and social contributions.
See also
In Spanish: José Sarria para niños
