José Sarria
José Sarria | |
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Sarria dines in Kenmore Square, 2010 | |
| Born | José Julio Sarria December 13, 1922 San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Died | August 19, 2013 (aged 90) |
| Other names | The Nightingale of Montgomery Street Empress José I, The Widow Norton |
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| Known for | First openly gay candidate for public office in the United States |
José Julio Sarria (December 13, 1922 – August 19, 2013), also known as The Grand Mere, Absolute Empress I de San Francisco, and the Widow Norton, was an American political activist from San Francisco, California, who, in 1961, became the first openly gay candidate for public office in the United States. He is also remembered for performing as a drag queen at the Black Cat Bar and as the founder of the Imperial Court System.