Crowns
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Community title holders, both male and female, throughout the GLBT community have become increasingly prevalent since the Stonewall era. Each segment of the community chooses individuals as representatives. Those chosen have been rewarded with extravagant crowns and sashes.
One of the most remembered is Miss Camp America. Beginning in 1969, over $1,000,000.00 was dispersed to AIDS charities. Miss Camp America’s program was modeled after and held in Houston, Texas, on the same day as the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The Miss Camp America Foundation was a 501(c)3 non-profit organization located in Houston, Texas, that closed its doors at the end of 2005.
Houston was also home to Miss Gay America royalty. Michael Andrews and Naomi Simms were crowned at The Old Plantation Nightclub in 1977.
Current contests today include:
Miss Gay America
Miss Gay USof A
Mr. Gay USof A
All American Goddess (welcomes postoperative Trans women)
Miss Gay Houston
Mr. Gay United States
The Imperial Court System (ICS) is one of the most known GLBT organizations in the community. The Imperial Court System is a grassroots network of organizations that works to build community relationships for equality and raise monies for charitable causes through the production of annual Gala Coronation Balls.
Houston has been home to many such “courts” such as The Imperial Court of Houston (ICOH) and The Empire of The Royal Sovereign and Imperial Court of the Single Star (ERSICSS). Both organizations being recognized as a 501(c)3, tax-exempt, publicly supported organization, chartered in the State of Texas. ERSICSS still actively operates today.
