“Annals of the Absolute Emperors and Empresses of San Francisco” is a collection of interviews from Empress Juanita MORE!, who reached out to over fifty San Francisco’s Emperors After Norton and Absolute Empresses of the Imperial Council of San Francisco (ICSF) — one of the longest-running LGBTQI+ nonprofits in the country — to learn about each of their accomplishments and involvements during their reign.
Originally published in The Bold Italic
Over 25 years ago, Donna Sachet started her adventure in San Francisco and was selected as Miss Gay San Francisco in 1993 — which propelled her rise to become the thirtieth Empress of SF in 1995. Read MORE! HERE
John Weber served as the Chair of the Imperial Council of San Francisco Inc., Board of Directors in 2017 during the 50th Anniversary milestone; before that, he served four years as an elected board member. Read MORE! HERE
Miranda was the first Latino elected Empress of the Imperial Council of San Francisco — and one of the youngest at just 29 years old when he stepped down. Read MORE! HERE
Perhaps best known for her bar in Hayes Valley, which ran for 23 years, Marlena came to San Francisco from Modesto over 30 years ago. She was previously married and has two children, but after getting into drag on a dare, she became the Empress of Modesto in 1976 — this is when her life as Marlena truly began. Read MORE! HERE
Nic is originally from Stockton, California, and moved to San Francisco after a short time in the Air Force. His background in nonprofit work and volunteerism helped him fit into the Imperial Court of San Francisco. During his reign, he was known as The Hunter Green Bootylicious Flaming Giraffe Emperor, Emperor 45 After Norton. Read MORE! HERE
Misty Blue LaChoy to the Bay Area in 2006 and became involved with the Imperial Council of San Francisco, supporting reigns, helping with campaigns for Emperor and Empress, and attending events. In 2011 when working on a campaign, they got their start in drag and received a permanent title in the Imperial Family as an Imperial Princess. Read MORE! HERE
Born and raised in Hilo, Hawai’i, Paul Maka Poole left his hometown in 1999. He has traveled and resided in several cities/states throughout the United States. In his late 20’s, he moved to San Francisco, where he began his involvement working with the LGBTQI+community. Read MORE! HERE
Mercedez Munro (San Francisco’s, “Plus Size SuperModel”, House Mother, Philanthropist, and Business Owner of The Flavorful Bite: has lived in San Francisco for 19 wonderful years! Originally from Kalamazoo, MI. Mercedez moved to San Francisco in 2003 where she quickly became involved with the Imperial Court of San Francisco. Read MORE! HERE
Leandro Gonzales, Emperor 46 After Norton is one of the Bay Area’s most prominent servants for the LGBTQIA+ and People of Color communities. His dedication to giving back to our most vulnerable groups is impressive. Read MORE! HERE
William Bulkley became Emperor XLVIII of San Francisco, After Norton, in April 2021 after reigning in the Court of the Majestic Golden Gate for fourteen months during the Covid-19 pandemic. His past Imperial Court of San Francisco titles include Imperial Crown Prince in the Court of Tamales con Pollo and Mr. Golden Gate 2017 for the United Court of Love and Friendship. Read MORE! HERE
“How I became involved in the San Francisco Imperial Court is an exciting story in itself. I was working in 1996 at Falcon, and The Accounting Manager asked me to help his partner Brian Benamati run for the Emperor. I had no idea what running for Emperor meant but soon learned. Princess Destructo, aka Jimmy Owens, asked me to be a part of his partner’s production number.” Angelina Josephina Manacotti Read MORE! HERE
Drew Cutler came to San Francisco from New York with experience in retail, hospitality, food & beverage, and entertainment, all of which came into play as Emperor of San Francisco. However, brand new to the Court, his natural charm and leadership skills attracted new members and added fresh excitement to established events. Drew was committed to returning the Emperor title to its masculine roots, gathering a posse of dedicated Leather men in his entourage. Read MORE! Here
“I initially got involved with the court through Absolute Empress XXXVI Chablis; this was the beginning of my introduction to the Court. At the time, I was also heavily involved in doing fundraising for the Leather Family. I also got involved in the Absolute Empress XXXVIII Snatch campaign, she was a driving force for change, and we shared many of the same sensibilities.” Michael Dumont Read MORE! HERE