V olume i s
N umiìer 24 ♦ O ctober 19, 2001
P o r t la n d . O r e g o n
FREE
Portland’s absolutely fabulous court members
work hard fo r the money they raise
by Oriana Green
y now,
most peo
ple have
met some glamour queens
with titles longer than a
shoulder-length glove and
roman numerals forever attached to their
names— the Beauty of the Rose, Rose Empress XXXVIII Misha
Rockafeller, for example.
But how much do you really know about these dedicated activists? Raise
your hand if you knew the Imperial Sovereign Rose Court raises
between $22,000 and $27,000 every year for community charities.
For example, more than 20 years ago members started the Pride
of the Rose Scholarship Fund for people who are or whose parents
are gay, lesbian, bi or trans. To date, more than $100,000 has been
raised and awarded.
And although all manner of drag shows are put on for that purpose, members have also thrown bowl-a-thons,
movie nights, campouts, dinners, car washes and, yes, even bake sales. Virtually every event is also a fund-raiser.
Officially founded in 1971, ISRC this year celebrates the 30th anniversary of its first elected empress. But
she was preceded by 13 other titleholders from earlier organizations, so tiaras have been handed out here for
close to 40 years now.
Continued on Page 47
You're Invited to the
Just Out Singles
Halloween Party
• C ostume
• P rizes
contest !
galore !
S2KI
6 :3 0 p . m * O ct . 31
D ragonfish
9 0 9 S.W. P ark A ve .
room bored?
Here's some interior decorating
advice for the style-challenged
by Tom Stevenson
Page 27