The city of Palm Springs posthumously honored Latino drag icon and activist José Julio Sarria on its Walk of Stars Monday, December 12. From left, Muffy Blake Stephens (José Sarria Foundation), Mayor Lisa Middleton, Gene Brake (José Sarria Foundation founder), Nona Watson (executive director, Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce), and Jim Mangia (José Sarria Foundation) knelt by Sarria's star during the ceremony. The event commemorated what would have been Sarria's 100th birthday. Sarria, who died in 2013 at the age of 90, founded the Imperial Court System charitable organization. A veteran and prominent civil rights leader, he made history in 1961 with his unsuccessful bid for a San Francisco Board of Supervisors seat. It marked the first time an out gay person had sought elected office in the U.S. Sarria's star is located on Museum Way near the Marilyn Monroe statue.
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