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| Published February 4, 2007 Official Statement Final Decree I never imagined that when I proclaimed myself Empress of San Francisco over 40 years ago that this would be the beginning of an international gay and lesbian fundraising organization that would span three countries and affect the lives of thousands of individuals. I have led and been the titular head of this international organization for over 40 years (almost as long as my dear sister Elizabeth has been the Queen of England). I have witnessed the growth of the International Court System that has extended to over 68 cities across three nations, the great work you have all done and the millions of dollars you have raised for so many worthy charitable causes. About 15 years ago in San Francisco, at the grave site of my late husband Joshua Norton; I named my one and true sole heir, Empress Nicole the Great. After discussions with her, I agreed to name a line of Heirs in succession to follow after her and to establish an International Court Council of which she became the President. Much has changed over the last four decades in our International Court System, much of it pleasing and some, to be honest, not so pleasing. But as they say, “the times they are a changing.” And so I must change with the times. After 40 years it is time to pass the leadership of our court system to a new generation. Thus, at the International Court Council meeting that was held in Reno, Nevada in June 2006, I officially gave notice of my intention to turn over my duties, obligations and authority to my heir, Empress Nicole the Great. I will still be available to travel to the various empires, when invited as in the past, as your founder but I will no longer give my opinions on any matters that pertain to the court system but will pass any observations to Empress Nicole and the officers of the organization. I still intend upon being active with my home court of San Francisco. The upcoming crowing of Empress Nicole the Great as Queen Mother of the Americas is the ceremonial and symbolic side of my official stepping aside and I invite all of you to attend and witness this historic event at the Seattle Coronation on 17 February 2007. I thus proclaim that the line of succession to Empress I Jose and ALL its heirs is being retired and will no longer exist because my succession is being fulfilled by Empress Nicole the Great. No past heir to me can ever use or be announced with their former title or position after 17 February 2007. It can only be announced at her or his state funeral or at mine. Furthermore, Empress Nicole the Great will now name new heirs and create new council. As Empress Nicole the Great assumes my duties, obligations and authority as the titular leader and Queen Mother of these three great nations, she is to be accorded all the rights and respect that she has earned in her over 35 years of serving our court system and fighting for the equality of all people. I look forward to seeing all my children in Seattle on 17 February 2007 and to the continued growth and success of the International Court System I remain yours forever, Mama Empress I Jose, The Widow Norton
* * * Official Statement Queen Mother of the Americas As our International Court System is about to begin another era of service and noble deeds, our beloved founder, Empress I Jose, The Widow Norton, in all her wisdom, has felt it is time to pass on the leadership to a new generation so that we can together take this international organization into its proper place in this, the 21st Century. My noble sisters and brothers, it is time for changes and a new beginning. I thus proclaim this next decade one of a true “Renaissance” period that all are invited to participate and give voice to. The final decree of Empress I Jose retiring all her heirs and passing on all her “duties, obligations and authority” to me is indeed a big responsibility which I take with the utmost of humility. After consultation with our Council’s corporate attorney and legal advisors, I thus officially announce that the current Council and officers are to continue for 30 days in an “interim position” as we go through this transition. I further decree that upon my formal resignation as President of the International Council, an interim President will be elected in Seattle. I hope within 30 days to name a new line of succession and heirs that will reflect the true diversity of our GLBT community. The fact that there is not one lesbian or transsexual on our current Council is totally unacceptable to me. And, that there is a lack of younger members of a different generation and only one African-American is also of concern. During my stay in Seattle, I will meet privately with the current Council members and heirs to evaluate their record and productive involvement on the Council…or the lack there of. Empress Panzi of New York will be contacting each Council member to arrange a “private tea with the Queen” at my suite. Communication and information is one of the greatest voids within this council and organization, thus I am announcing the appointment of Empress Christy of Texas as the Council’s interim corresponding secretary. And, from this day forth, all courts will receive the minutes of every International Court Council meeting. I am also reestablishing the “International Court Communiqué” and have appointed Emperor Chris Horton as its Editor-in-Chief. Our International Court’s web page must also be greatly improved. As Queen Mother of the Americas, I am establishing an Imperial Cabinet with Ministers to advise and assist me. Thus, I have appointed well-known corporate executive Emperor Rick Ford as the Prime Minister of my Cabinet. I heard your voices, concerns and suggestions coming from our First International Court Conference held in Palm Springs and chaired by Emperor Larry of Reno. I have directed the conference’s facilitator, Mr. Russell Roybal of the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) to give an official report on the conference and he will be flying in from Washington, D.C. to Seattle. I hope to announce another conference this year with the theme International Court Conference II Renaissance 2007. I wish to also extend my hand in loyal and support to the Courts of Canada who I have always felt are not always given the recognition and respect that they so much deserve. This will change. Let there be no mistake that Empress I Jose is our beloved founder and most importantly an historic pioneer in our GLBT history and civil rights movement and that she will always be treated with the greatest respect and dignity. Any disrespect will be considered by me as a personal affront. I consider it my duty to safeguard her legacy and proper place in our GLBT history. In closing, I would especially like to acknowledge and thank Empress Coco LaChine, Empress Milo, Empress Jack-E, Emperor Kevin Drake, Empress Panzi and Empress Remy for their advice and counsel as well as my Prime Minister, Emperor Rick Ford. As we begin this new chapter in our court’s history, I look forward
to this journey and ask each of you to not walk behind me or in front
of me, but walk beside me as we celebrate a new beginning in Seattle
and the official Renaissance Decade begins. God bless you. Long live the Monarchy. Long live Jose! Empress Nicole the Great Queen Mother of the Americas Contact info: Nicole Murray-Ramirez Biographical Newsrelease on Empress Nicle the Great
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