As the current highest double crowned lesbian representative of the ISCCA, SA, I get a lot of questions. Most often asked, “What is the crown for?” To explain this fully we need to dig back into history.
Calgary currently has 2 active organizations which “Crown” their representatives each year. The ISCCA, SA and Illusions. The crowns are a public symbol of title. Each position has different sizes and types of crowns.
The Imperial Sovereign Court of the Chinook Arch, Social Association otherwise known as ISCCA, SA, is a chapter of the International Imperial Court System, founded over 40 years ago in San Francisco by Empress I, Jose, The Widow Norton. The ICS is the second largest GLBT organization in the world with over 70 chapters in the USA, Canada, Mexico and the UK. The main goal of this International governing body is to set “universal” standards and direction for smaller groups to raise funds for their own local charities through hosting shows and many other fund raising activities within the community. The ISCCA, SA is the longest running GLBT organization in Calgary. We are registered with the Government of Alberta as a Non-profit Charity Fundraising Organization, currently in our 30th year. We are ambassadors of goodwill and represent Calgary and Southern Alberta at various functions throughout North America and abroad.
The Annual Coronation Ball is the night the current reign steps down and new Emperor and Empress, the highest public figureheads for the following year are crowned. It is the wind-up of the old and start of the new. Monies raised all year long are given to the charities this night. We also host many visitors and sister courts for the event. Three to four weeks before the ball is the “campaign” where approved members compete for the titles. They’ll be out in the bars schmoozing you with trinkets, pictures and various other advertising. Talk to them, get their views on new ideas and see what they are about, then go vote for whom you think is best suited to represent you. Ball Week is the week prior to the ball and all kinds of events are held throughout this period. Voting is held this year on April 15th, from noon to midnight at the Backlot, and the next Emperor and Empress will be voted in by the community itself. You don’t need to be a member to vote, just have ID within the 403 area code!
As the court has grown throughout the years, additional help has been deemed necessary and the Emperor and Empress respectively submit names of their choices for the titles of Imperial Crown Prince Royal, Imperial Crown Princess Royale, Imperial Grand Duke and Imperial Grand Duchess. These titles are voted in by the current Board of Directors. Any member can run for any title as long as the appropriate traditional gender of the title is portrayed at functions throughout the reigning year. Membership in the ISCCA, SA is a minimal $5.00 per year.
The Emperor, Empress, Prince, Princess, Duke and Duchess are known as the Upper House. As such, they are the key organizers and they host various fundraising events throughout their year. Additional committed volunteers are part of the lower house with various titles. It’s not always an easy job arranging events around other organizations events and venues, or coming up with new ideas.
The ISCCA, SA has a Board of Directors to ensure continuity each year, as well as to ensure high standards of the organization, enforce protocol, and when necessary, use disciplinary measures according to government registered bylaws.
The second organization in Calgary is the Illusions Social Club. It is a transgender/transvestite club where members, their spouses and friends can go to a safe place for social functions. They have elected an Empress of Illusions in past years.
We are people who enjoy entertaining you with dance, lip sync, cross-dressing and gender-bending; we mostly perform as opposite sex figures. Most of us do not wish to have a sex change, our additional padding, packing, makeup etc. is for entertainment purposes only. Our shows are for your entertainment and we also sell 50/50 tickets at most of them. Shooter bars and raffles for various items are also part of some shows and venues.
Each individual’s gowns, jewelry, hair, make up and costumes are not purchased through any organizational funds. This is all at one’s own expense. Some travel expenses can be reimbursed with approval of the respective boards. Tipping performers at shows is purely an individual preference; a loonie is the minimal standard. Some tip as a show of respect for the song, the performer, or the costumes. Bowing and curtseying is done among performers and members as a show of respect and hierarchy of titles.
So now, next time you see us at dances or at various other bars or functions you know what we are about. When we are out in crowns, it is usually before or after our events. Feel free to come up and talk to any of us if you have questions or check out what we’ve been up to with fundraising.
Calgary’s Ball week is coming up in April and I encourage you to check out the week’s functions on the website and posters. Our current reign, Emperor 29 Dion and Empress 29 Argentina, along with their upper and lower houses have worked hard all year long and would like to see your support at their step down. Come out and see what we are all about!
Further information can be found at:
www.iscca.ca
www.impcourt.org
www.glcsa.org (transgender program)
In service to the Community,
His Imperial Sovereign Highness,
The Double Crowned, Silver Streaked, Rainbow Gentleman, Prince Charming of the Ladies,
Imperial Grand Duke 16
Imperial Crown Prince Royal 25
Matchbox Max
matchbox_max@hotmail.com
