Empress, Emperor Candidates Ready for Vote

The Imperial Council of San Francisco is ready to crown a new emperor and empress for 2015, the court's 50th anniversary. It is time when candidates campaign for the prestigious title and the responsibility that comes with it.

Public voting is this weekend, to be followed by the coronation February 14.

The court system was founded by Jose Julio Sarria in San Francisco working in tandem with a group of gay bar owners who had formed the Tavern Guild in early 1965 as a means to stand in solidarity with one another under the pressure of police harassment.

The court system today consists of almost 70 chapters, or courts, in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The courts raise funds for local charitable organizations.

This year there are two candidates for empress; the candidate for emperor is running unopposed.

Deena Cartier

One of the candidates for empress is Deena Cartier, 49, also known as Mark Dean. Cartier has lived in San Francisco for seven years. He graduated from college in 1996 with a degree in culinary arts from the California Culinary Academy. He was introduced to the art of drag and quickly immersed himself in this newfound creative outlet. Although he didn't have a drag mother, that didn't stop him from learning everything he could. He even tailors his own outfits.

Cartier became first involved as a court member of the Royal Grand Ducal Council in Alameda County in 1998.

"I then went on to become an Imperial Crown Princess for the Imperial Star Empire of Alameda and Contra Costa counties and then was elected Grand Duchess 11 of Alameda in 2001/2002," he said. "I have a permanent family title with the Imperial Council of SF, which was given to me by Empress China Silk and Emperor Fernando in 2005."

It took Cartier two years to make up his mind about running.

"I see myself as a very organized businessperson and feel I need to apply those same beliefs to my campaign for empress," Cartier said. "I needed to save some money for travel, gowns, hair and more, as this journey is not cheap. I have put in place a succession plan in my career, so I have key members of my management team who can handle (my business) while I am on the road and doing fundraising."

His day job is serving as general manager at the iconic Hotel Mark Twain, where he occasionally surprises guests by appearing as Cartier.

Khmera Rouge

The other candidate for empress is Khmera Rouge, 28, also known as Coma Te. Rouge is originally from Tacoma, Washington, and prior to moving to San Francisco July 2010, lived in Seattle, where he went to the University of Washington.

Rouge has been involved with the Imperial and Ducal court systems since he started performing in drag in 2012.

"I became Queen of Hearts of the Grand Ducal Council and also became Miss GAPA in 2013," Rouge said, referring to the Gay Asian Pacific Alliance's annual drag event. "I've always been focused on and involved in giving back to the LGBT and API community of San Francisco. To date, I have helped raised over $20,000 for various nonprofit organizations and charitable causes."

Over the years Rouge has received a lot of love and support from San Francisco LGBTs and wanted to continue serving them.

"I want to run for empress to continue the amazing charitable work of the Imperial Council and to utilize this platform to take my fundraising efforts to a whole new level," Rouge said. "I find that people are more willing to open their hearts and pockets when you have a warm smile and something shiny on top of your head."

Kevin Lisle

This year's sole emperor candidate is Kevin Lisle, 43. Lisle works as senior project manager for a financial services company in Silicon Valley, and has been living in San Francisco since 1992. He is originally from Opelika, Alabama.

"I moved from Opelika as a fresh out-of-the-closet 21-year-old experiencing living in a cosmopolitan city for the first time," Lisle said

Lisle first became involved with the Imperial Court of San Francisco as a backup dancer in a production for Lady Tia at the Mr. & Miss Gay Pageant in 2001.

"I have performed in several coronations since then," he said. "In 2013 I was nominated by Emperor Drew Cutler and Empress Patty McGroin, and voted by the board of directors, to be Imperial Crown Prince, along with Imperial Crown Princess Emma Peel."

Lisle said, "I am running for the office of emperor to continue what first began with my being ICP, in that I want to raise money for those organizations that are in need and give back to a community that welcomed me so many years ago."

Voting Information

Election day is Saturday, February 7 and voting takes place at the following locations: Project Open Hand, 730 Polk Street, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; the Powerhouse bar, 1347 Folsom Street, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and at the Castro Muni station, at Market and Castro streets, from noon to 6 p.m.

To vote, be prepared to show a valid photo ID from San Francisco, San Mateo, or Marin counties.