Jose Sarria Foundation

Jose served in Europe during WW2 and was in Berlin for it's Fall. He stayed on after VE day as a part of the occupation forces and he never shied from the fight for freedom. Thank you to Jose and lgbtq+ veterans through history.

For the love of Mama Jose...

We are thrilled to announce a Jose Sarria Pop Up museum in Palm Springs in honor of the Imperial Court System's 60th Anniversary. Open from Oct 16 to Dec 18 at the historic Welwood Murray Library building, 100 S Palm Canyon, Palm Springs, CA. For the love of Mama Jose... josesarria.org/museum

Rainbow Wave of Political Representation LGBTQ lawmakers are being elected to public office in what some call a Rainbow Wave.

Jose Sarria is included in a story on lgbtq+ politicians done by the ABC affiliate in Philadelphia in honor of Pride month. Enjoy this story the "Rainbow Wave". For the love of Mama Jose...

6abc.com/post/rainbow...

Happy Pride Month! We hope you are being out, loud and proud today and every day. #NoKingsDay

For the love of Mama Jose...

Pride is a Protest! Never forget those are the roots of the annual Pride celebrations and remember those who paved the road for us today. We thank Jose Sarria, the mother of the LGBT+ community, for helping win the many rights we have today. For the love of Mama Jose... prideisaprotest.com/9

GALLERY: Victor Valley College unveils first-ever LGBTQ+ resource center Here is a gallery of images from Victor Valley College's ribbon cutting ceremony on their very first LGBTQ+ resource center.

Victor Valley College jn Victorville, CA opened their first lgbtq+ Resource Center on April 4 with a festive open house and resource fair. Thank you to VVC for being so welcoming and thank you for celebrating Jose Sarria's memory. For the love of Mama Jose...
www.vvdailypress.com/picture-gall...

The Black Cat served gay patrons & fought for their rights years before Stonewall - LGBTQ Nation The bar won an early court victory for gay people's right to meet in public.

A great article about the Black Cat Cafe and Jose.

"United we stand, divided they catch us one by one." - Jose Sarria

For the love of Mama Jose...

www.lgbtqnation.com/2025/03/the-...

The LGBTQ+ community will not be erased, we must stand up for each other and know the battles Jose fought in the 1940s-50s are back. Today on Pink Triangle Day, let us remember Jose Sarria's rallying cry... "United We Stand, divided they catch us one by one."
www.history.com/news/pink-tr...

Happy Lunar New Year! May the year of the snake bring wisdom, transformation, and strength to all. Here’s to embracing change and celebrating new beginnings with grace and courage.

For the love of Mama Jose...

80 years ago today Allied forces liberated Auschwitz the world was able to see the horror that had been the Nazi deathcamps. One of those in Europe fighting fascism was a gay man named Jose Sarria. He returned home to San Francisco and fought to create the lgbtq+ community of today. Never forget!

On behalf of the Jose Sarria Foundation we wish you a very Happy Holidays. Jose used to say to all new monarchs as she was crowning them. "You don't have to love each other, but you do have to work together"- Jose Julio Sarria. Photo at Boston Coronation 2009 as Jose presides over the crowning.

Jose Sarria was celebrated this weekend in Palm Springs, CA at the third annual Sparkle Gala. Supporters came from all over the US to share some love for Empress 1 Jose, The Widow Norton. For more info josesarria.org

For the love of Mama Jose...

Happy Birthday Mama Jose! Aa photo from the stepdown of Sheba and TJ on February 15, 2000, shows Empresses of SF. Before Stonewall, Before Harvey Milk, There was Jose! Join us in Palm Springs Dec 12-15 to celebrate Jose at the Sparkle Gala: josesarria.org/sparkle

For the love of Mama Jose...

Appears to be from Jose's reign as Empress 1 where he shows the fun and camp side of his. Photo from the Jose Sarria Papers (GLBT Historical Society) Join us in Palm Springs Dec 12-15 to celebrate Jose at the Sparkle Gala: josesarria.org/sparkle

On 9-26-65 Jose protesting at SF Grace Cathedral the Church's decision to censure Rev. Robert Cromey, a straight preacher who fought for equality for gays. Jose's funeral was in this cathedral in 2013. Join us in Palm Springs Dec 12-15 to celebrate Jose at the Sparkle Gala: josesarria.org/sparkle

Most often we see Jose in his role of the Widow Norton or political activist, but he was also a talented entertainer. Jose with Tommi Rose at the Blue Muse in San Francisco in 1992. "It was a blast!" Tommi Rose Celebrate Jose in Palm Springs Dec 12-15 at the Sparkle Gala: josesarria.org/sparkle

YouTube video by Jose Sarria Foundation Jose Sarria Film: Nelly Queen Discussion

What lessons can we learn from Jose's battles of the 1940s-1960s for relevant today? This is a discussion of the film Nelly Queen: The Life and Times of Jose Sarria, by Joe Castel. Join us in Palm Springs, CA on Dec 12 for a screening of the film on his birthday. Info at josesarria.org/sparkle

84 years ago today Pearl Harbor was bombed on Dec 7, 1941 and Jose felt called to duty. He served in Europe and was in Berlin for its fall. This photo of Jose was taken in 1947 back in San Francisco.
Join us in Palm Springs Dec 12-15 to celebrate Jose at the Sparkle Gala: josesarria.org/sparkle

Every February since 1977 Jose leads a parade of celebrants up the hill at Woodlawn Cemetery to Emperor Norton's grave with flag bearers and a marching band. Photo by Gene Brake on 2-26-1995 Join us in Palm Springs Dec 12-15 to celebrate Jose at the Sparkle Gala: josesarria.org/sparkle

Jose leads the first pilgrimage to Emperor Norton's grave on 9-11-1977. (LtoR) Jim Ostlund, Jane Doe; Jose Sarria, Hector, Melvina, Bob Cramer, Frieda and Chuck Bayless, photo by George Clark, Join us in Palm Springs Dec 12-15 to celebrate Jose at the Sparkle Gala: josesarria.org/sparkle

We hope you join us Dec 12-15 in Palm Springs, CA for several events honoring the legendary Jose Sarria and raising funds for the foundation in his name. More info at josesarria.org/sparkle

The Widow Norton persona was modeled after the historic figure of Joshua Norton, who is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery. Here we see Chuck Demmon in his homage to Norton 1 with Jose on 9-14-1980 at Woodlawn Cemetery. Join us in Palm Springs Dec 12-15: josesarria.org/sparkle

For the love of Mama Jose...

Day 3 of the 12 Days of Jose: Mama Jose shares a funny moment in Boston 2004 with Coco LaChine of NYC. Jose is remembered for his amazing works, but also his incredible spirit & joy of laughter.
Join us in Palm Springs on Dec 12-15 to celebrate Jose josesarria.org/sparkle

Jose Sarria in the film To Wong Foo

2 of 12 Days of Jose: From the film Too Wong Foo, here we see Jose during the early parts of the film as part of the panel of judges. LtoR: Jose Sarria, Flotilla Debarge, Quentin Crisp, Lady Bunny We hope you join us in Palm Springs on Dec 12-15 to celebrate Jose in person: josesarria.org/sparkle

Day 1 of the 12 Days of Jose: Jose Sarria dancing as the Sugar Plum Fairy during the Dance-Along Nutcracker Suite Ballet on Dec 17, 1995. It’s an annual fundraiser for the SF Lesbian/Gay Freedom Ban Photo: Lea Suzuki Join us in Palm Springs Dec 12-15 to celebrate Jose josesarria.org/sparkle

To celebrate Jose's birthday on Dec 12, join us for a special screening of Nelly Queen: The Life & Times of Jose Sarria. For more info josesarria.org/sparkle

The Foundation will honor two amazing individuals and one organization at the upcoming Sparkle Gala. Raymond Lafleur of Gay Men of Palm Springs group, Anita Treadmill / Vince Scalise of Diva's on the Dancefloor and the LGBTQ+ History & Archives of the Desert. Gala Info at josesarria.org/sparkle

Join us in Palm Springs Dec 12-15 as we celebrate the legendary Jose Sarria. For the love of Mama Jose... josesarria.org/sparkle

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