Liz Achanta
Thanks to the archival power of the internet, the legacies of many early LGBTQIA+ rights pioneers are being preserved for future generations. Long-unsung heroes of LGBTQIA+ liberation like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera are finally being honored, and José Julia Sarria — also known as Mama José, the Widow Norton, and Empress I of San Francisco — is one of these nearly-forgotten LGBTQIA+ trailblazers. Fortunately, a dedicated group of activists is preserving José’s legacy online at JoseSarria.gay.
We got in touch with Gene Brake, a founder and member of the Board of Directors of the Jose Sarria Foundation, for a #DotGayQAndA about the enduring cultural and political legacy of Mama José!
Introduce us to José Sarria: who was he, what did he do, and why should we remember and celebrate him?
José Julio Sarria (born December 13, 1922) was an out, proud Latino man; he was a WW2 veteran who served in Europe and was a member of the US troops who marched into Berlin to end the war.
When he returned to San Francisco after the war, he was a drag cabaret performer at the Black Cat Cafe.
Like many gay men of the era, José was entrapped by an undercover vice officer, which escalated his crusade against police abuses of the gay community. He was part of the lawsuit before the California Supreme Court that enshrined in law the right of LGBTQIA+ citizens to assemble legally in public, gather at bars, and eventually hold Pride parades.
In 1961 he became the first openly gay candidate for public office in the United States when he ran for a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Though he didn't win, José’s campaign showed there was a political voting base in the LGBTQIA+ community, which opened the door for Harvey Milk and all those that followed.
In 1965 he founded the International Court System, which to this day has affiliate charitable organizations in 70 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
How has the International Court System had an impact on LGBTQIA+ community organizing and charitable fundraising?
The International Court System has been at the forefront of LGBTQIA+ community organizations since its birth in 1965.
The International Gay Rodeo Association, drag pageants, Pride parades and marches all over the US and Canada, and several LGBTQIA+ community newspapers all had their roots in the International Court System.
The Imperial Court of California was instrumental in organizing and beating back the 1978 Briggs initiative, which would have banned LGBTQIA+ people and allies from teaching in public schools.
From the earliest onset of HIV/AIDS, the courts were the leaders in community fundraising, while the US government did nothing to help.
In later years, their efforts brought about the Harvey Milk Stamp and the naval ship named for Harvey Milk; right now we are working to have stamps named for José Sarria, Marsha P. Johnson, and Sylvia Rivera. José's legacy in the Courts keeps on working for change.
What is the mission of the José Sarria Foundation, and how does your .gay domain help advance your mission?
The mission of the Foundation is to preserve, protect, and catalog historic artifacts that belonged to Mama José, and expand public awareness of the countless contributions of José Sarria’s storied life for future generations.
The .gay domain helps share the story about José in a more easily-found online location to hopefully help future generations know about José Sarria and see that one person can do big things.
What lessons does José's life have to inspire today's era of online and offline LGBTQIA+ activism?
To never accept the status quo and to know, if not you, then who will step up and lead? One person making up their mind to make a difference can indeed move mountains and make changes happen.
Why is it important to help create a safer internet for LGBTQIA+ people?
In José's day, he had to fight the police and the judicial system to secure the rights of LGBTQIA+ citizens to safely assemble in bars. Today the fight for LGBTQIA+ safety includes safety online. Just as gay bars have historically provided a safe haven for LGBTQIA+ citizens, the internet can be that safe haven today, especially with such things as the .gay domain.
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