Most people don’t realize how hard some of the non-profit groups in the gay community work at fund raising. The Imperial Sovereign Court of the Chinook Arch (ISCCA) is one such group. These people work very hard to raise money for different non-profit groups in the city. They sacrifice their time and personal lives when elected, to help serve the gay community of Calgary. It becomes a second full time job. They do all this without pay and with the expenses of dressing up, make up, and other costs associated with doing this fine work.
GayCalgary.com has always supported the ISCCA and other organizations by promoting their events by videotaping and photographing them since the year 2000. We are pleased to have Empress 27 Bianca La Bouche and Emperor 27 Marty Mojo Stevens as our first issue’s cover story.
What is the Imperial Sovereign Court of the Chinook Arch (ISCCA), and what does it do for the Gay Community in Calgary?
Bianca: The ISCCA is a non-profit organization, now in its 28th year, which helps the Calgary community raise funds for non-profit organizations. Every year the charities change — Marty and I have chosen the Children’s Wish Foundation, the Women’s Shelter and Beswick House.
Why are there Emperor and Empress positions, and do you get paid for them?
Bianca: No we don’t get paid for these positions.
Marty: All outfits, all dresses, all wigs and all make up come out of our own pocket.
How did you get the positions that you have today?
Bianca: The Emperor and Empress are basically elected by the people of Calgary to be good will ambassadors and representatives. The people speak, and we get elected.
Approximately how much money is raised per year, and where does it go?
Marty: It varies per year and depends on the goals of the individuals that reign. The money then goes to the charities that they choose.
How has the ISCCA changed since you have been elected?
Marty: We have brought in some new blood. We’ve both been acting ISCCA members throughout the years but never held a higher title in the court system. We were both elected for some new blood in the system and in the community.
Bianca: ISCCA make it very well known that this is what they have done in the past for Calgary, and this is what they want changed. It’s definitely for the best.
People in the community have said that the drag shows lack in quality and some of the members do not look attractive. How would you respond to those people who are critical of your events?
Bianca: We are all pigs with wigs sometimes. Some shows suck, but you know I suck too sometimes. Even when you see shows on Broadway or something, it might not be the best performance, even if it’s a long running show.
You know there are different parts to being a drag queen — you can be a female impersonator, a female illusionist, or a drag queen. And there are different expectations with each. For example, if you are a female impersonator, then there is a lot more pressure on you because people have booked you in to make their bar money. If you are a drag queen, you can just decide to throw on a dress and a wig and go out there, and some of the people are comfortable doing that. Ultimately, when you look yourself in the mirror you need to say 'ok, lets impress these people.'
Marty: Another issue in the gay community is that people come to drag shows to see drag queens. So as a male performer, it’s harder to stand up there and get the same kind of recognition and applause unless you have something really outstanding — like my good looks....
Bianca: And character. Characters are a huge thing in this city — people like their characters. Like Marty said, if you are a guy performer, then you have to come out looking like Elton John or Ricky Martin.
This is a second full time job. I mean, look at what you have to do — you have to be out at almost every function. Sometimes Marty and I end up doing three functions in a night. Just recently, for example, we did a Pool Tournament for the Rekroom, and then we did an art gallery for the GLCSA and afterwards went to the ARGRA dance. So it’s a full time job. You work 8 hours during the day, then you go home and either get dressed into character or get into drag, put on your regalia and then go out there and show your community that they were right in electing you.
What are some of the major events that are up and coming for the group?
Marty: We are trying to do a joint trip with Edmonton, our sister city...
Bianca: Edmonton and Calgary are so close together that they can help each other raise money for the exact same charities. The court in Edmonton is the Wild Rose Court, around for 28 years, and with their help we’re planning on some fabulous events out there, as well as back here in Calgary.
We are also the half Emperor and Empress of Winnipeg Manitoba, my hometown. We are going there to raise funds for their court, and they will be coming back here to raise some funds for us.
We have a great fund-raiser happening April 17 for a full week. It’s called Super Ball and Coronation 28. That’s when they elect the new Emperor and Empress. Super Ball Fever starts a week before the Ball, and you get to meet some incredible people in town. Some of the best female and male impersonators from the USA and Canada come. It’s going to be a good time.
We also have a Midnight Café Reunion coming up too. It is going to be fabulous.
How long have both of you been part of the Community, and what have you done in the past to help it?
Bianca: I moved here five years ago from Vancouver, and with the help of Dean Burton, I became involved with the court. I believe that the court is doing an incredible job in raising money for charities. This city does care and I love living here.
Marty: I came out in 1992 with the help of Paul Billo that used to work in the Rekroom. He brought me down to Boyztown. From there I worked at Boyztown on many occasions and met a lot of people that were involved with the Mr and Ms Gay Society. I was elected as Mr GayCalgary 16 and worked for the community. We raised great funds for the local charities we picked that year. I took a year off from the court, and from the Mr and Ms Gay Society, and afterwards jumped right back in, full force.
What is it with all the crowns and royalty images that the ISCCA uses?
Bianca: You mean those crowns, and those head pins, and all those big rocks and jewelry; well every queen likes to wear beautiful jewelry. Our crowns are given when you are elected Emperor and Empress. It shows your level of royalty. You guys did not pay for this, we paid for this, and we are here representing our community in the best regalia we have. This is why we wear these — to show we are the representatives of your city.
Members of the ISCCA travel all over North America. Why do they do this?
Bianca: There are rules and regulations in every non-profit organization that you work with. With ours, ISCCA rules and regulations state that you are to travel. It’s great too — Marty went down to Austin, Texas and represented the court incredibly well. He has most of the States coming down and that is what it’s all about. You help fund raise their charitable organizations and they will in turn help fund raise for your organization. We have been to a total of 10 Coronations already, and are expecting at least 250 people from out of town at our Coronation because of how well known we are.
All the money that we raise goes to charity. You hear some people that say, "She is raising money tonight to buy some makeup or money to buy a new cowboy hat." It is totally not true at all. We pay for everything out of our own pockets.
People have to realize that if you’re signing up for something like this for a year, regardless of title, it means that you are devoting a year of your life. That means you might not have a lover, you might not even have a pot to piss in, but at least you are out there. You are supporting your community the best you can. You are doing mounds of good, so leave the scandal aside and just enjoy yourself and have a good time.
What is in store for the ISCCA in the future?
Bianca: The future looks great. Many years from now this organization will still be around.
Marty: We are not going anywhere. There is new blood coming out of the wood works here.
What is the most positive change you have noticed in Calgary’s Gay community over the past couple years?
Bianca: The people — the individuals that go out and support these organizations, support our causes, and still believe in it after 28 years.
In what direction do you see Calgary’s Gay community heading?
Marty: Right now it’s getting more main stream — there are billboards and magazines that are showing more the gay side of our community, people are coming out more, showing their interests, but it’s going to take time. You need more involvement with individuals that know about the community or the ISCCA.
Bianca: We are a city of oil and gas, and we’re a very conservative city. You got to give the people what they want, and they will be happy.
Check the GayCalgary.com website for video footage and additional photographs of Marty Mojo Stevens and Bianca La Bouche and other members of the ISCCA.
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Contributor Steve Polyak
Locale Calgary
Person Bianca La Bouche | Marty Mojo Stevens |
Topic ISCCA | Community |
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