José Julio Sarria
In Honored and Loving Memory
Absolute Empress I, The Widow Norton
December 12, 1922 - August 19, 2013

Ceremony | Obituary

 

It is with deepest sympathy and heaviest of hearts we announce the passing of our beloved founder of both the San Francisco and International Court Systems, José Julio Sarria.

José passed away peacefully in Albuquerque, New Mexico at 7:02am the morning of August 19, 2013. He was 90 years young.

A WWII veteran, performer at the infamous Black Cat, co-founder of several homophile organizations including SIR (Society for Individual Rights) and the League for Civil Education, José Sarria is most commonly credited with being the first openly gay candidate to run for public office in the United States (SF Board of Supervisors in 1961). In 1964 he declared himself Empress 1 José, The Widow Norton, and founded the Imperial Court System in 1965. Today, the non-profit organization has over 60 chapters throughout North America in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

We humbly announce the Imperial State Funeral Services for our beloved José Julio Sarria, Absolute Empress I de San Francisco, The Widow Norton. Please join us in celebrating the extraordinary historic life and legacy of this pioneering LGBT Civil Rights Leader and American Hero.

Thursday, September 5, 2013
José Julio Sarria, will lay in state for public viewing from 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
Halsted N Grey, Carew and English Funeral Home
1123 Sutter Street • San Francisco, CA

Friday, September 6, 2013
Imperial State Funeral services will take place starting at 11:00 AM.
Grace Cathedral
1100 California Street • San Francisco, CA

Immediately followed by a celebrated journey for his internment and honored final celebrated resting place beside Emperor Joshua Norton.
Woodlawn Memorial Park
1000 El Camino Real • Colma, CA

A reception that will continue to honor the historic life
and legacy of our beloved José will follow.
The Lookout
3600 Sixteenth St. (@ Noe & Market) • San Francisco, CA

Per Empress I José's Request:

  • All International Court System Monarchs, Titleholders and Line Members attending the Imperial State Funeral of José Julio Sarria, are honorably and respectfully requested to wear crowns and mourning attire of the titles bestowed.
  • Male Monarchs, Titleholders and Line members are respectfully requested to wear dark suits.
  • Female Monarchs, Titleholders and Line members are respectfully requested to wear black/dark mourning attire and veils.
  • There is now limited transporation for non-hotel guests to the cemetary following services and back to the Lookout..

Official Announcement from The Imperial Founding Mother Court of San Francisco

The Imperial Founding "Mother" Court of San Francisco is happy to announce that limited Coach transportation will be available following the Imperial State Funeral for our beloved Jose, from Grace Cathedral to the cemetery and then back to the reception that follows in the Castro at the Lookout. We aim to help SF Imperial FamilyMembers, SF Ducal Family Members, local guests and Out of Town International Court System Family Members that may wish to attend services at the cemetery, following services at Grace Cathedral, know however the Coach services we have are limited and reservations for reserved seating will be on a first come, first served basis while seats are available.

Should you wish to go to the cemetery following the services at Grace Cathedral and you need transportation, please contact SF Imperial Transportation Logistics Co-ordinator Ray Tilton. Each Individual requesting transportaton must reserve a seat themselves through Ray Tilton. Send Ray an email at dogandpup707@gmail.com.

Once a transportation reserved seating registration is recieved, your name will be added to the master transportation lists while seats last.
Confirmations of reserved seats will be sent in the manner in which reservations are made; by phone, text or email.

Pre-Boarding verification and check in with Ray and the transportation logistics team will still be required following the services at Grace Cathedral.

The deadline for Coach Transportation Reservations is 6PM PST Wednesday, September 4, 2013 or when seating capacity has been reached. Due to time constraints and logistics, last minute reservations cannot be accepted.

Host Hotel Guests

Seperate Coach Transportation services will be provided by the Hotel Mark Twain for Guests staying at Hotel Mark Twain and Hotel Fusion. If you are staying at either Hotel, transportation to Grace Cathedral and all services Friday will depart from Hotel Mark Twain Friday morning.

Any questions regarding transportation to the cemetery from the Cathedral please contact Ray Tilton as outlined above.


In honor of our founder's historic legacy, The Imperial Council of San Francisco, Inc. Board of Directors has established THE JOSE JULIO SARRIA CHARITABLE GIVING FUND.

In Lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be sent to:
The José Julio Sarria Charitable Giving Fund
c/o The Imperial Council of San Francisco, Inc.
584 Castro Street, Suite #469
San Francisco, CA 94114

Hotel partnerships:

The San Francisco Hilton, Union Square

333 O'Farrell Street
San Francisco, CA
(800) 445-8667
Room Rate of $199 per Night
Rate code: ICSF
(Please note that the Hilton will not be providing Coach Services or transportation to services.)

Group rates for September 5-6, 2013 are now available for booking by calling the number listed above (800-HILTONS). Locals may call the Bay Area Regional Reservations desk at (415) 771-1400, and choosing option "1" from the voice menu.

Online reservations: https://resweb.passkey.com/ or
go to www.sanfrancisco.hilton.com which is the direct website link. Type in desired dates on the right hand side of the screen in the "Check Availability" tab and click "Go." Guests can choose their arrival/departure dates and bedding preferences. Under "Special Accounts" guests can enter the group code in the box next to "Group/Convention Code." Use Group code: (ICSF), then continue through the reservation process of seeing the guestroom rate and booking the room.

Hotel Fusion (Sold Out)

140 Ellis Street
San Francisco, CA
(415) 568-2525
(2 blocks East of Hotel Mark Twain)

Rates:
Single Full Bed Room (2 person max): $169
Double Full/Full Room (4 person max): $189
Junior Suite (3 person max): $249

Availability is limited and rate guaranteed only through Friday, August 30 or until sold out. Rooms include coach service to all services on Friday, September 6, 2013. Transportation generously being donated by The Hotel Mark Twain and will require Hotel Fusion guests to board at Hotel Mark Twain.

There is now limited transporation for non-hotel guests to the cemetary following services and back to the Lookout.

Any questions regarding reservations with either Hotel Mark Twain or Hotel Fusion can be directed to Mark Dean, General Manager @ 415-673-2332 x10

Hotel Mark Twain (Sold Out)

345 Taylor Street
San Francisco, CA
(415) 673-2332 for Reservations
Room Rates of $159 for a Double
Rate code: José Julio Sarria Memorial Services
SOLD OUT

Included in the room rate, the Hotel Mark Twain will provide coach services to hotel guests attending services Friday, September 6, 2013 to Grace Cathedral, the Cemetery and back to the reception at the Lookout.

There is now limited transporation for non-hotel guests to the cemetary following services and back to the Lookout.

The Imperial Council of San Francisco, Inc. Board of Directors wishes to thank everyone for the outpouring of love and support during this most difficult time. Our goal is to do all we possibly can to help accommodate those traveling to San Francisco to pay their final respects and attend the Imperial State Funeral Services for a true American Legend and Gay Icon, José Julio Sarria.

Respectfully,

Jacques Michaels - Emperor 25 After Norton
Social Media Secretary - Imperial Court San Francisco