SassySays.com Sassy Gurl of the Day: Jenna Talackova Transgender Woman Finishes Among the Top 12 Semi-Finalists in Miss Universe Canada Pageant http://bit.ly/KDPFQn @egalecanada #trans Wins Miss Congeniality!
Sassy Live at the GLAAD Media Awards NYC Red Carpet 2012 Teaser Clip. More coming soon to SassySays.com and VivaLaRiviera.com !
SassySays.com - Drag History Month - January 26, 2012 - Jamie Clayton
Jamie Clayton Is a transgender model turned television actress. This year Jamie can be seen playing “Kyla” on Season 3 of the hit HBO series “HUNG” alongside Thomas Jane.
In 2010 Jamie co-hosted and was the on screen Makeup Artist on Vh1′s first makeover show, “TRANSform Me”.
The show quickly became a breakout hit and was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award.
For More: www.jamieclayton.net
SassySays.com - Drag History Month - January 25, 2012 - Laverne Cox
Laverne Cox is an actress, producer and transgender advocate who made television history when she became the first African American transgender woman to appear on an American reality show with her appearance as a finalist on VH1’s “I Want to Work for Diddy. “I Want to Work for Diddy” won the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Reality Program.
Laverne’s popularity subsequently led her to star in, co-create and co-produce her own show called “Transform Me,” making her the first African American trans woman to produce and star in her own television show. “TRANSform Me” was nominated for a GLAAD media award for Outstanding Reality Program.
As an actress Laverne has had guest starring roles on “Law and Order”, “Law and Order: SVU”, and HBO’s “Bored to Death.” She can be seen in the forthcoming independent films “Musical Chairs” directed by Susan Seidelman, “Carl(a),” “Grand Street” and “The Exhibitionists.” Her other film credits include “Uncle Stephanie”, “Bronx Paradise,” “The Kings of Brooklyn” and “Daughter of Arabia.
Laverne continues to be an advocate for transgender representation in the media. Laverne is passionate about telling stories in the media that reflect the full depth, diversity and humanity of transgender experience.
For More: www.LaverneCox.com
![SassySays.com - Drag History Month - January 4, 2012
José Julio Sarria aka Empress José I, The Widow Norton (b. December 12, 1923) is an American political activist from San Francisco, California. Known for his years of performing at the historic Black Cat Bar in that city from the 1950s and 1960s, Sarria entertained patrons with satirical versions of popular songs and operas while encouraging them to live their lives as openly as possible. He frequently dressed in drag.
Sarria was born to Julio Sarria and Maria Dolores Maldonado. His parents did not marry and his father showed no interest in his son’s life. Maria initially raised José on her own, but when this became too difficult she placed him with another couple. Both they and his mother indulged his early interest in wearing girl’s clothing. Sarria showed an affinity for languages, which led to his first serious romance with another man. Sarria tutored Paul Kolish, an Austrian baron who had fled from the Nazis. Sarria and Kolish fell in love, and their relationship endured until Kolish and his son were killed in a car accident in 1947.
Sarria served in the United States Army during World War II. Following his discharge, he studied to become a teacher and frequented the Black Cat. He met waiter Jimmy Moore, whom Sarria describes as “the love of [his] life”. Sarria was hired as a cocktail waiter. Following a conviction on a morals charge, Sarria, realizing he could not now become a certified teacher, began performing in drag. He appeared regularly at the Black Cat. An early LGBT activist, Sarria co-founded several homophile organizations, including the League for Civil Education, the Tavern Guild and the Society for Individual Rights. Sarria became the first openly gay candidate for public office in the United States when he ran for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1961. In 1964 Sarria declared himself “Empress José I, The Widow Norton” and founded the Imperial Court System, which grew to become an international association of charitable organizations.
Following the closure of the Black Cat in 1964, Sarria went to work with restaurateur Pierre Parker. The pair operated French restaurants at World’s Fairs. While at the 1964 New York World’s Fair, Sarria learned that Jimmy Moore had committed suicide. Sarria worked at several more Fairs before retiring in 1974. After living with Parker in Phoenix, Arizona for several years, Sarria returned to San Francisco. He continued to reign over the Courts for 43 years, before abdicating in 2007. For his lifetime of activism, the city of San Francisco renamed a section of 16th Street in Sarria’s honor.](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxaezazyq41qbi1oyo1_250.jpg)
SassySays.com - Drag History Month - January 4, 2012
José Julio Sarria aka Empress José I, The Widow Norton (b. December 12, 1923) is an American political activist from San Francisco, California. Known for his years of performing at the historic Black Cat Bar in that city from the 1950s and 1960s, Sarria entertained patrons with satirical versions of popular songs and operas while encouraging them to live their lives as openly as possible. He frequently dressed in drag.
Sarria was born to Julio Sarria and Maria Dolores Maldonado. His parents did not marry and his father showed no interest in his son’s life. Maria initially raised José on her own, but when this became too difficult she placed him with another couple. Both they and his mother indulged his early interest in wearing girl’s clothing. Sarria showed an affinity for languages, which led to his first serious romance with another man. Sarria tutored Paul Kolish, an Austrian baron who had fled from the Nazis. Sarria and Kolish fell in love, and their relationship endured until Kolish and his son were killed in a car accident in 1947.
Sarria served in the United States Army during World War II. Following his discharge, he studied to become a teacher and frequented the Black Cat. He met waiter Jimmy Moore, whom Sarria describes as “the love of [his] life”. Sarria was hired as a cocktail waiter. Following a conviction on a morals charge, Sarria, realizing he could not now become a certified teacher, began performing in drag. He appeared regularly at the Black Cat. An early LGBT activist, Sarria co-founded several homophile organizations, including the League for Civil Education, the Tavern Guild and the Society for Individual Rights. Sarria became the first openly gay candidate for public office in the United States when he ran for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1961. In 1964 Sarria declared himself “Empress José I, The Widow Norton” and founded the Imperial Court System, which grew to become an international association of charitable organizations.
Following the closure of the Black Cat in 1964, Sarria went to work with restaurateur Pierre Parker. The pair operated French restaurants at World’s Fairs. While at the 1964 New York World’s Fair, Sarria learned that Jimmy Moore had committed suicide. Sarria worked at several more Fairs before retiring in 1974. After living with Parker in Phoenix, Arizona for several years, Sarria returned to San Francisco. He continued to reign over the Courts for 43 years, before abdicating in 2007. For his lifetime of activism, the city of San Francisco renamed a section of 16th Street in Sarria’s honor.
SassySays.com Drag History Month - January 2, 2012 - Sylvia Rae Rivera
Sylvia Rae Rivera (2 July 1951–19 February 2002) was an American transgender activist. Rivera was a founding member of both the Gay Liberation Front and the Gay Activists Alliance and helped found STAR (Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries), a group dedicated to helping homeless young street trans women.
For More information on Sylvia and how you can help please visit: www.srlp.org
SassySays.com January is Drag History Month So Everyday in January I will post a photo of a transgender person who changed the world. I did this for Drag History Month once before so please check out my Facebook Album Here:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.232802947711.140484.554907711&type=3
As I will not repeat these previous ground breakers. I will continue with 31 more mavericks and will still have plenty for years to come! Please send any suggestions to: SassTronica@gmail.com
Thank You, The Library is Open… Sassy Says.
