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.

These images are from the program for the Imperial Sovereign Court of Seattle 1986 Coronation Ball, titled "Singin' in the Reign." The event marked the end of the reign of Rainier XI Paul Bigley, and Olympia XV Miss Winnie Thurzdae (pictured here), and the beginning of the Reign of Rainier XII Michiel Orias and Olympia XVI Sofonda Peters. Over 700 guests and dignitaries from Seattle and other empires listened to the many tributes to the exiting royalty and watched the crowning of the new Emperor and Empress, and enjoyed the various entertainments. Guests included Mayor Charles Royer and Katherine "Kay" Bullitt of KING-TV, who was presented with an award to the station for its sensitivity in airing the program "Living with AIDS."

Caption information source: https://archives.yale.edu/repositories/11/resources/12771
Caption information source: https://www.imperialcourtofseattle.org
Caption information source: Seattle Gay News, February 21, 1986, p. 16.