Become a Member
Join a group that virtually defines diversity and inclusion — a group that includes lesbian, gay, bisexual, straight and transgender individuals, in short, the full spectrum of gender identification. And our diversity extends beyond gender to include people of all races and religions, in all walks of life — doctors, lawyers, chefs, store clerks, waiters, designers…you name it we want it. What we have in common is our love of dressing up in our own personal style and interpretation of drag, and the chance to put that passion and our hard work to good use raising funds and awareness for our community. We do this as performers, event producers, and outreach volunteers, from the humble bar show to the grandest of all events, Night of a Thousand Gowns, the annual charity ball that is the sparkling highlight of the New York City LGBTQ fundraising calendar.
Interested or want more information about The Imperial Court of New York? Download our Tri-Fold brochure.
To join, simply show up at a monthly general meeting held the first Wednesday of every month (barring holiday conflicts) at 7:30 pm. Make yourself known to our Vice President/Membership Chair who will be seated at the front and fill out a simple membership form. The membership fee for the first year is $60.00 ($60 annually thereafter, payable in September). If you join after September, your dues are prorated and you only pay starting the month you join.
You can access our new member page by going to New Member page
A renewing member? Renew your membership on the Membership Renewal page. Your renewal dues are $60.00
Upon joining, you will decide what your Court name will be and what Royal line you will follow. New members are inducted accordingly as a Lord or Lady at the meeting during which they apply. Through volunteer work and enthusiasm, a member is elevated through the years according to a protocol of royal titles modeled after European royalty. Once a year the membership elects two members, who have attained a prescribed level of accomplishment and service, to reign as our Emperor and Empress. They are crowned at Night of a Thousand Gowns and will serve for one year as figureheads of the Court and ambassadors to the community. Typically, they will attend or officiate at upwards of 125 events during their reign. One of their duties is to recommend member elevations to the Board of Directors to be presented at various Court events during the year.
The Court is an all-volunteer organization with no paid staff. Whether humble or grand, all of our finery and jewels are purchased by us individually.