Sir Lady Java

Sir Lady Java
Born (1943-08-20) August 20, 1943
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Residence Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation Drag queen, actress, activist
Years active 1960s-1980s

Sir Lady Java is an American transgender rights activist, exotic dancer, singer, comedian, and actress. Active on stage, television, radio and film[1] from the mid-1960s to around 1980, she is a popular and influential personality in the Los Angeles-area African-American LGBT community.

Biography

Early life

Born in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1943 (or, by one account, 1940), Java transitioned at a young age with the support of her mother, and began singing and dancing in local nightclubs.

In her early twenties, she moved to Los Angeles, California, where by 1965 she was a mainstay of the nightclub circuit and associated with such figures as Redd Foxx, Sammy Davis Jr., Richard Pryor, Rudy Ray Moore, and Don Rickles. She was frequently featured in such magazines as Jet, HEP, the LA Advocate, and Variety.

In the early fall of 1967, the Los Angeles Police Department began shutting down the now-famous Java's performances, citing a local ordinance prohibiting the "impersonation by means of costume or dress a person of the opposite sex," and threatening to fine clubs that hosted her. In response, Java picketed[2] Redd Foxx's club on October 21 and hired the American Civil Liberties Union in a bid to overturn the rule.[3] The courts eventually rejected Java's case with the ACLU, stipulating that only club owners could sue. Rule Number 9 was ultimately struck down after a separate dispute in 1969.[4]

In 1976, Java portrayed herself in the Dolemite sequel The Human Tornado.[5]

In 1978, Java performed with Lena Horne at a birthday party for nightclub owner and columnist Gertrude Gipson.[6]

Recent years

From the 1980s, Java kept a lower public profile. Since retiring from performance and recovering from a stroke, she has made a limited return to public life, appearing locally in southern California and giving interviews. In June 2016, she was a guest of honor at the 18th annual Trans Pride L.A. festival alongside CeCe McDonald.[7] Java has been recognized as a trailblazer.[8]

Filmography

YearFilmRole
1976The Human TornadoSelf

Honors and awards

Guest of honor, Alpha Chapter (Los Angeles) of the Full Personality Expression[9]

Guest of honor, 18th Annual Trans Pride L.A.[10][11]

References

  1. ↑ "Who Is Sir Lady Java". Archived from the original on 2017-02-16.
  2. ↑ "That's Life". Jet. November 16, 1967. p. 37. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  3. ↑ "Pride: Sir Lady Java and the ACLU/SC". ACLU of Southern California. 2010-12-17. Retrieved 2017-02-15.
  4. ↑ "The Work of the ACLU: Linking Gender Identity and Gay Rights". ACLU. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  5. ↑ "The Human Tornado (1976) - Full Cast & Crew".
  6. ↑ "Lena Meets Sir Lady Java At Festive L.A. Birthday Bash". Jet. August 10, 1978. p. 37. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  7. ↑ "The Los Angeles LGBT Center Presents the 18th Annual TRANS PRIDE L.A., June 17–18 - Los Angeles LGBT Center". lalgbtcenter.org.
  8. ↑ Monica Roberts (March 1, 2012). "A Look at African-American Trans Trailblazers". Ebony. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  9. ↑ "Sir Lady Java (1943–) performer, activist". zagria.blogspot.ca.
  10. ↑ "The Los Angeles LGBT Center Presents the 18th Annual TRANS PRIDE L.A., June 17–18 - Los Angeles LGBT Center". lalgbtcenter.org.
  11. ↑ Tom Porter (3 July 2016). "Pasqual's Eye on Lady Java LGBT Award video by Tom Porter" – via YouTube.
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