Vestal Virgins

My Day

It was a Janis day.

I had awakened at about 6:00 a.m., ahead of the alarm clock. I started by working on a diary entry here, then selected the white outfit that I would wear, and got myself ready. I walked to the nearby BART station, just in time to catch the first train of Sunday, which would allow me to arrive at Colma just before the 9:00 a.m. meeting time. The cemetary is a short walk from the Colma BART station, and I met Vice President Lulu there as she was driving up.

Fortunately, the group had provided coffee, orange juice, and pastries for refreshments. One of the persons there introduced himself, and said that he had recognized me as one of Leona's Girls at the Ducal Ball in Reno. Our group then gathered for a brief rehearsal. Pictured here are Rachael, Secretary Veronica, myself, Miss TGSF 1999 Margo, and Suzie.

We then joined the procession up the hill in the cemetary to a small stage set up for the proceedings. There were several acts and presentations ahead of our part, including the elevation and oath of office to tne new monarchs, who had been chosen the previous evening.

Before our skit, Vice President Lulu presented The Widow Norton with "the shroud of Jose," which was described as the sheet that had been provided for her to lie on at the trip to the grave sight the previous year, pictured here.

Our skit consisted of some clever lyrics, spelling out the word "virgin" to the tune of the "Do Re Mi" song from The Sound of Music, followed by a cheer spelling out "virgin" with an amusing ending, and concluding with a humorous skit to the tune of "Where Have All The Flowers Gone.

After the procedings, we went up the hill to the grave of Emperor Norton, which has the grave site for The Widow Norton directly in front of it. She thanked us for our participation, and posed for pictures with us.

After the Ceremony

The ceremony ended at about noon. It had begun to drizzle, but fortunately didn't develop into rain. I decided to take BART to the town of Orinda, and looked for a restaurant there, but didn't find any that appealed to me. I then rode back into the Rockridge District of Oakland, and settled on a small Italian restaurant, where I had a dish with Penne pasta and sliced sausage. After lunch, I wandered down the street, and stopped in a few clothing stores, but resisted the temptation to buy anything.

Further down the street I stopped in a coffee shop, where Francesca and I had been together once before. The man at the counter immediately recognized me, and asked where my friend was! After I had my coffee and a crumb cake, I took a bus to another shopping center, and found a video tape of the movie West Side Story on sale, which I purchased. I also browsed through a clothing store there, but again didn't buy anything. I then walked to where I could catch a bus, and rode it to connect with another bus back to the BART station where I had started out that morning, stopping to purchase a diet soda and some peanuts en route. I then walked home from the station.

I played West Side Story on my VCR. I have always been moved by the story and music in it. I completely broke down into tears at the finale.

It was a marvelous day for me. I had the opportunity to work with the members of our group, including Margo, the newly-crowned Miss TGSF 1999. I had been recognized as Janis by two different people. I had had many pleasant interactions with women throughout the day. Going out as Janis has become completely natural for me, and I have discovered that I am generally accepted in public in that role. The day was a memorable one, beginning the second year since my coming out.

The Ceremony

The Imperial Court of San Francisco had held its Coronation the previous night, and had selected a new Emperor and Empress for the coming year. The tradition for the following day has been a convocation at a cemetary in Colma, California, near the gravesite of the legendary San Francisco figure Emperor Joshua Abraham Norton, who was the self-proclaimed Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico during the 1870's.

A leading person and performer in the Gay community in San Francisco, Jose Sarrio, had become a spokesman over 30 years ago, and had adopted the title:

Her Imperial Majesty
The Absolute First Empress De San Francisco
The Grand Mamere
The Widow Norton, Jose

I had been fortunate to meet The Widow Norton at our Cotillion on February 6.

Another tradition that had developed within the ceremony is the:

Blessing of the Land by The Vestal Vergins of San Francisco TGSF
(formerly ETVC).

A group of our members, dressed in white, gathered to perform a humourous skit, song, and dance, written by Vice President Lulu, accompanied by President Leslie on guitar.