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Sir Lady Java

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Sir Lady Java
Born(1942-08-20)August 20, 1942
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
DiedNovember 16, 2024(2024-11-16) (aged 82)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Other namesLady Java
Occupation(s)Drag queen, actress, exotic dancer, comedian, actress
Years active1960s–1970s
Sir Lady Java, circa 1970

Sir Lady Java, also known simply as Lady Java, (August 20, 1942 – November 16, 2024) was an American transgender rights activist, exotic dancer, singer, comedian, and actress. Active on stage, television, radio and film[1] from the mid-1960s to 1970s, she was a popular and influential personality in the Los Angeles-area African-American LGBTQ community.[2]

Biography

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Early life

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Born in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1942,[3] Java transitioned at a young age with the support of her mother, and began singing and dancing in local nightclubs.[3]

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Sir Lady moved to Los Angeles, California, where in the mid-'60s she met and befriended Little Richard; they remained close for decades.[4] By 1965, she had become a mainstay of the nightclub circuit,[5] where she was associated with such figures as Redd Foxx, Sammy Davis Jr., Richard Pryor, Flip Wilson, Rudy Ray Moore, LaWanda Page and Don Rickles. Lady Java cited Lena Horne, Mae West, and Josephine Baker as inspirations for her performances, which involved dancing, impersonations, singing, and comedy.[6][5] She was frequently featured in such magazines as Jet, HEP, the LA Advocate, and Variety.

In the early fall of 1967, after a successful two-week engagement at Redd Foxx's club which Java was seeking to extend, the Los Angeles Police Department began shutting down the now-famous Java's performances, citing Rule Number 9, a local ordinance prohibiting the "impersonation by means of costume or dress a person of the opposite sex," and threatening to fine clubs that hosted her.[7][5] In response, Java picketed[8] Redd Foxx's club on October 21 and hired the American Civil Liberties Union in a bid to overturn the rule.[9] The courts eventually rejected Java's case with the ACLU, stipulating that only club owners could sue. Rule Number 9 ultimately was struck down after a separate dispute in 1969.[10]

In 1978, Java performed with Lena Horne at a birthday party for nightclub owner and columnist Gertrude Gipson.[6]

Later Years

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From the 1980s, Java kept a lower public profile. Since retiring from performance and recovering from a stroke, she has made a limited return to public life, appearing locally in southern California and giving interviews. In June 2016, she was a guest of honor at the 18th annual Trans Pride L.A. festival alongside CeCe McDonald.[11] Java also participated in the 2022 Los Angeles Pride Parade as Community Grand Marshal.[12] Java has been recognized as a trailblazer.[13]

Death

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Java died at age 82 from natural causes on the evening of Saturday, November 16, 2024, in Los Angeles.[14]

Filmography

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Year Film Role Notes
1976 The Human Tornado Self In 1976, Java portrayed herself in the Dolemite sequel The Human Tornado.[15][16]

Awards and honors

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References

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  1. ^ "Who Is Sir Lady Java". Archived from the original on February 16, 2017.
  2. ^ Hoke, Casey (August 7, 2017). "ACT UP Los Angeles- Sir Lady Java". Queer Art History. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Meet 10 black transgender figures from history who are models for resilience". Mic. February 28, 2018. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  4. ^ Hay, Carla. "Review: "Little Richard, 'I Am Everything'"". Culture Mix. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c Stein, Marc (May 7, 2019). The Stonewall Riots: A Documentary History. Google Books: NYU Press. p. 101. ISBN 9781479816859. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  6. ^ a b "Lena Meets Sir Lady Java at Festive L.A. Birthday Bash". Jet. August 10, 1978. p. 37. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  7. ^ Polk, Khary (Summer 2013). "Malcolm X, Sexual Hearsay, and Masculine Dissemblance". Biography. 36 (3): 572. doi:10.1353/bio.2013.0029. JSTOR 24570210. S2CID 161615221 – via JSTOR.
  8. ^ "That's Life". Jet. November 16, 1967. p. 37. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  9. ^ "Pride: Sir Lady Java and the ACLU/SC". ACLU of Southern California. December 17, 2010. Archived from the original on September 4, 2019. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
  10. ^ "The Work of the ACLU: Linking Gender Identity and Gay Rights". ACLU. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  11. ^ a b "The Los Angeles LGBT Center Presents the 18th Annual TRANS PRIDE L.A., June 17–18 – Los Angeles LGBT Center". lalgbtcenter.org. Archived from the original on April 25, 2019. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
  12. ^ Kinser, Jeremy (June 1, 2022). "Abdul, Indelicato, & Sir Lady Java honored as L.A. Pride Marshals". Los Angeles Blade. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
  13. ^ Monica Roberts (March 1, 2012). "A Look at African-American Trans Trailblazers". Ebony. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  14. ^ López, Quispe (November 18, 2024). "Lady Java, Storied Entertainer and Trans Nightlife Legend, Has Died". Them. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  15. ^ "The Human Tornado (1976) – Full Cast & Crew". IMDb.
  16. ^ "The Human Tornado (1976)". AFI Catalog. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  17. ^ "Sir Lady Java (1943–) performer, activist". zagria.blogspot.ca. February 15, 2013.
  18. ^ Tom Porter (July 3, 2016). "Pasqual's Eye on Lady Java LGBT Award video by Tom Porter" – via YouTube.
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