What is it? What do they do? Why do they do what they do? That’s what I would wonder every time I heard about “Coronation”. Edmonton’s court, known as the Imperial and Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose (ISCWR) is soon to have their 34th Coronation. I found the following statement by current reigning Empress Marni Gras that answered my questions:
“The ISCWR began its 33rd reign one year ago tonight. We’d normally be celebrating our Coronation this weekend; however, since we moved it to August, we are simply left with the reflection that such an anniversary brings. I had put a lot of thought into what I would say through this statement...and then something happened tonight that I want to share with you instead that really puts into focus why we do what we do.”
“We had gone to meet our neighbours who had just welcomed their newborn son. After a few minutes, they asked, are you...the people from TV? Did you run the marathon in a cheerleader outfit? After we confirmed their suspicion, they went on to share this story.”
“Just recently, their friend had given birth to a tiny, premature baby. This baby was very, very sick. The mom of this sick, little baby told this family that they spent many hours holding their son in these awful, hard chairs. It was a terrible time. Then one day, this new chair arrived and everything changed. It was so much better to hold their baby. Two days later, their little boy passed away in their arms while sitting in one of the ISCWR chairs at the NICU.”
“Just imagine...through the generosity and love of this community and the hard work of the members of the ISCWR...a family, going through the most difficult moments imaginable...were given such a gift...to hold their child in the final days of his life...in peace and comfort.”
The ISCWR is run by The New Royalist Social Society of Northern Alberta. The N.R.S.S.N.A. is a non-profit society that raises monies for charities that provide services to the gay community or work to promote an accepting attitude towards gays and lesbians in the community in Edmonton. The Society is governed by a Board of Directors elected at the Annual General Meeting which is held at the end of September.
The Emperor and Empress run for the positions and are elected by the community. They spend their one year term fundraising for their chosen charities while at the same time providing entertainment for the community. All funds raised by the court are 100% donated to charity. Any and all costs the Emperor and Empress incur come out of their own pockets. They are volunteers and do not get paid for any of the work they do. Emperor Sundance Lonestar says “we are out here to raise money for the charities and to support the different groups in the GLBT community.”
Empress Marni has traveled to 16 Coronation balls across North America in her year of service. She is actually a heterosexual male who got involved because, as she says, “the court has been a place where I and others can be ourselves and express our personalities while serving our community.” Anyone elected always represents the gender of the position that they hold. Either sex can do either position and you don’t have to be gay to take part; not all drag queens or drag kings are homosexual. Marni’s mandate and goal this year is to also increase the awareness of the Court and what they do.
The Court’s goal of increasing awareness had a huge boost on November 19th, 2008 when six members of the Court were introduced to the members of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Alberta. They were allowed to enter the building in full drag and the Empress was even allowed to wear her crown in the Assembly Chamber - which only the Queen herself has ever been allowed to do. The ISCWR made history on this day by their presence.
This year’s two main charities that Marni Gras and Sundance Lonestar have chosen are: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the royal Alexandra hospital in Edmonton and Aids research at the University Of Alberta. They also support scholarships every year through the John M. Kerr memorial fund and camp Fyrefly for GLBT youth.
The economic situation that is making fundraising hard for a lot of organizations isn’t holding back the Edmonton Court. This year’s reign is breaking the organization’s fundraising records, with estimates that they will be giving away over 30,000 dollars to their charities. They say the secret is just working hard and doing everything you can to raise the money.
With their 34th annual Coronation entitled Around the World in 80 Ways: An Ethnic Journey taking place at the end of August, the ISCWR is the longest running court in all of Alberta (Calgary comes a close second). The event will also host a silent auction with numerous items up for bid that have been donated by local and national businesses and organizations. Tickets include dinner, and enter you into the Puerto Vallarta, Mexico vacation draw from iTravel2000. Seats are limited, so attendees are advised to buy them sooner than later.
When buying your tickets, you can help a youth that otherwise couldn’t afford a ticket to attend. Buy an extra ticket, or donate yours if something comes up and you cannot make it out. Camp fYrefly, a regular recipient of funds raised by the Emperor and Empress, will pass along donated tickets to GLBT and questioning youth that they work with.
The morning after the Coronation, at 11:00am, there is the much anticipated Victory Brunch held at Prism Bar and Grill. Come on out to celebrate with the winning Emperor/Empress candidates, and pay tribute to the lucky people that the ISCWR help everyday through their tireless efforts of fundraising and volunteering.
Says Empress 33 Marni Gras, “At the end of the day we are normal everyday people doing amazing things for our community.”
