Imperial Court of New York, Inc.

In 1965, Jose Sarria, the country's first openly gay political candidate (for San Francisco Supervisor) founded the Imperial Court System Imperial Court System and set the Court standard of humor, heart and humanitarianism that today governs more than 65 royal courts in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The Imperial Court of New York, Inc. is part of this proud tradition. The Court is a social, fund raising organization, (most notably through the annual Night of A Thousand Gowns) with 501(c)3 status for Federal and local tax purposes, and has donated millions back into the community to both LGBT social service organizations, HIV/AIDS support groups and LGBTQ Homeless youth direct service groups.

The Imperial Court of New York is, above all, the members: The Emperors and Empresses, Princes and Princesses, Dukes and Duchesses, and the leagues of uncommon courtiers are imbued with a sense of fun, a sense of the fabulous, and a sense of duty to our community.