Our History
…is both International & Local
The International Court System
Royalty With a Purpose
Charity With a Crown
Founded in San Francisco by Empress José I, The Widow Norton, the Imperial Court System was born from boldness, brilliance, and a belief in lifting up those who had been left behind.
Today, The
International Court System is one of the largest and longest-running LGBTQ+ charitable organizations in North America, with active courts across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
From the beginning, the Court has stood for giving back — especially to communities and causes others ignored.
During the AIDS crisis, court members organized, fundraised, and cared for those in need.
Today, local courts of the international court system
continue to support:
- Individuals in crisis
- Grassroots nonprofits
- Vulnerable populations with little institutional support
Welcome to Florida
Started in a basement, built with Love…
Our Florida Chapter
“We laughed, we joked, we did all the campy stuff… and before you know it, this is where we are today.”
— Founding Member Tony Gunning-Davis (Anastasia Asia-Ross)
It began in 2016, when a group of Court members — many from San Francisco — found themselves in South Florida dreaming of a new chapter.
They said: Why not here?
Within months, they’d written bylaws, assembled an application, and sent it to the International Court Council. By March 2017 , the Imperial Sun Court of All Florida was born.
A Court Is For Everyone
“We’re here for everyone — not just one group. That’s what it should be about.”
— Founding Member Steven Rule (Barbie LaChoy)
We are actively:
- Embracing gender diversity and learning
- Uplifting the trans community
- Building bridges between cultures
- Creating space for new traditions and leadership