The International Imperial Court System is one of the largest LGBTQ organizations in the world. Founded in San Francisco by gay-rights activist José Sarria in 1965, the system is comprised of local chapters, or courts, across the US, Canada, and Mexico. Most courts are known as empires and are headed by monarchs elected for one-year terms. The monarchs help the courts raise money for local charities through various fundraising events, notably the elaborate annual Coronation Ball. Since its founding, the International Imperial Court System has raised millions of dollars for charities supporting the LGBTQ community and helped raised awareness of LGBTQ issues.

In 1971 Seattle became the fourth court of the International Imperial Court System. Named The Imperial Sovereign Court of Seattle Olympic and Rainier Empire, it elects two monarchs each year, an Emperor Rainier and Empress Olympia. The organization raises money to provide funds and services to other non-profits in the LGBTQ community throughout Washington state, and to support its scholarship program for LGBTQ students in Washington.

This image shows the cover of the program for the 1976 Coronation Ball, "Grand Finale!" The 1975 reign of the Imperial Court of Seattle marked the first election of an Emperor, Rainier I Lance Knight, to serve with the Empress, Olympia IV Dominique St. Laurent. The 1976 Coronation Ball marked the end of that reign, and the beginning of the reign of Rainier II Jim Christensen and Olympia Vl Lady Gray Top. The program schedule includes the presentation of outgoing and incoming royalty and the Visiting Courts, awards presentations, and entertainments, followed by a reception.

Caption information source: https://archives.yale.edu/repositories/11/resources/12771
Caption information source: https://www.imperialcourtofseattle.org