Sir Lady Java
Sir Lady Java | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 20, 1943 |
| Occupation(s) | Drag queen, Actress, Activist |
Sir Lady Java is an African-American variety show performer, transgender rights activist, and actress. Active on stage, television, radio and film from the mid-1960s to around 1980, she is a popular and influential figure in the Los Angeles-area African-American LGBT community.
Biography
Early life
Born in New Orleans in 1943, Java transitioned at a young age with the support of her mother and began singing and dancing in local clubs.
Career and legal battle
In her early twenties, she moved to Los Angeles, where by 1965 she was a mainstay of the club circuit and associated with such figures as Redd Foxx, Sammy Davis Jr., Richard Pryor, and Don Rickles. She was frequently featured in such magazines as Jet, HEP, the LA Advocate, and Variety.
In the fall of 1967, the Los Angeles Police Department, citing a local ordinance prohibiting the "impersonation by means of costume or dress a person of the opposite sex," began shutting down the now-famous Java's performances and threatening to fine clubs that hosted her. In response, Java picketed[1] Redd Foxx's club and hired the ACLU in a bid to overturn the rule. The courts eventually rejected her case, but Rule Number 9 was ultimately overturned in 1969. [2]
In 1976, Java portrayed herself in the Dolemite sequel The Human Tornado[3].
Recent years
From the 1980s, Sir Lady Java kept a lower public profile. Since recovering from a stroke and retiring from performance, she has made a limited return to public life, appearing locally in southern California and giving interviews. Java has been recognized[4] as a trailblazer.
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 | The Human Tornado | Self |
Awards
Guest of honor, 18th Annual Trans Pride L.A.[5] [6]
References/Notes and references
- ^ https://books.google.com/books?id=NrgDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA37&dq=sir+lady+java&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjY0JmIsInSAhVl5YMKHZTIDMkQ6AEILDAE Jet Magazine Nov. 16, 1967
- ^ The Work of the ACLU: Linking Gender Identity and Gay Rights
- ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074653/fullcredits
- ^ http://www.ebony.com/news-views/trans-trailblazers#axzz4VC9doWmQ
- ^ https://lalgbtcenter.org/about-the-center/press-releases/the-los-angeles-lgbt-center-presents-the-18th-annual-trans-pride-l-a-june-17-18
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ue8sSq0FE4w