Annals of the Emperors and Empresses of San Francisco: Angelina Josephina Manicotti
Absolute Empress XLIV Angelina Josephina Manicotti, March 1, 2009 — February 27, 2010, shares her story
“Annals of the Absolute Emperors and Empresses of San Francisco” is a collection of interviews from Empress Juanita MORE!, who reached out to over fifty San Francisco’s Emperors After Norton and Absolute Empresses of the Imperial Council of San Francisco (ICSF) — one of the longest-running LGBTQI+ nonprofits in the country — to learn about each of their accomplishments and involvements during their reign.
How I became involved in the San Francisco Imperial Court is an exciting story in itself. I was working in 1996 at Falcon, and The Accounting Manager asked me to help his partner Brian Benamati run for the Emperor. I had no idea what running for Emperor meant but soon learned. Princess Destructo, aka Jimmy Owens, asked me to be a part of his partner’s production number.
At the end of the final rehearsal, Jimmy said there was a catch; you must perform the number in drag. I looked at him in surprise as this was the first mention of this aspect of the performance. However, I decided why not and decided to try my hand at doing drag. On February 25th, I participated in my first Imperial Coronation, during which Donna Sachet & Brian Betamati were crowned Empress & Emperor of San Francisco.
It was with their Court of the Imperial Amethyst & Ruby Court of Song & Dance. Of course, I had no clue what I was getting myself into.
Since that humble beginning, I have been involved in the many reigns following Empress Donna & Emperor Brian Benamati. I regularly participated in court events and supported many candidates for Emperor and Empress. Now, here is the funny part, over the years, I was frequently discouraged from even thinking of trying to aspire to the position of Empress. I was often told that was most certainly never going to happen. So, I gave up the idea of “that I’d ever” becoming Empress.
I reached out to Angelina Josephina Manicotti to learn more about their accomplishments and involvement during their reign.
Juanita MORE!: What year was your reign as Empress?
Angelina Josephina Manicotti: “Our Lady of Pasta” Absolute Empress XLIV Angelina Josephina Manicotti reigned from March 1, 2009 — February 27, 2010
JM!: What led you to run for Empress?
AJM: How I decided to run for Empress of San Francisco is also an interesting one. You see, it was unexpected and something that as the time was right, it just strangely fell into my hands through the side door sort of way. Towards the end of January 2009, I ran into then Imperial Prince Paul Maka-Poole in the Castro. Paul was putting up fliers announcing to the community that he aspired to be elected to Emperor of The Imperial Council of San Francisco. I asked who was running for the companion empress title. He then mentioned a name, and we chuckled. Jokingly, I said, “wouldn’t be a laugh if I announced that I aspired to be the next Empress.” With this out-of-the-blue pronouncement, we laughed again. We hugged, said our goodbyes, and went our separate ways. Now, the exciting part was that I then quickly completely forgot about the incident. This continued for several days until I got a call from a dear friend, who shall remain nameless, the day before applications were to be turned in for the position of Emperor & Empress.
My friend informed me that the Imperial Council didn’t seem to have anyone interested in being Empress. It appeared that no potential candidate was stepping forward. I expressed my dismay to hear that unwelcome news. Unexpectedly, the next day the doorbell rang, announcing a delivery by FedEx. I signed for the envelope, opened it up and found it contained a letter from the same close friend I had spoken with the night before. I read the letter, and it said: “he” would like “me” to serve our community and the City of San Francisco as Empress. I looked up, surprised at this unexpected turn of events asking my husband Mike what I ought to do? He replied that if you want to do it, I’ll support you and match this contribution. It just shows that when the time and circumstances are right, things seem to fall into place on their own.
I went down to Marlena’s the morning of Application Turn In for Emperor & Empress and picked up the application to be a Candidate for Empress. At application turn-in, another unexpected twist I learned was there was another potential aspirant for the position of Empress. I realized soon afterward that it was Imperial Princess Patrice, someone I knew and admired. Shortly after that, we talked, and both agreed to have fun should we both be approved as Candidates. But it was not to be. The following day, I got a call informing me that I was the sole Candidate for Empress. A whirlwind campaign followed. These exciting days ended up with me crowned the “unexpected” Empress on Coronation night.
My long unexpressed dream to become Empress of San Francisco had come to me. So why did I choose to run after not seriously considering doing so before? Well, at that time, I just felt there were many unmet needs in our community. So if no one were going to step up to the plate to serve in this historic and respected role, I would.
JM!: What was your proudest accomplishment?
AJM: I, along with many other community leaders, worked unitedly to represent our diverse brothers & sisters. Our Mission was to educate, unite, and help organize others in the many different parts of the communities. San Francisco’s monarch had played a vital role in raising funds for many HIV/AIDS organizations and Women’s Breast Cancer nonprofits from the beginning of the court system. In addition, the Court led the way in gaining recognition and financial support for many small HIV/AIDS organizations that allowed them to grow.
JM!: What nonprofits did you support during your reign?
AJM:
- Matthew Shepard Foundation
- LYRIC — Center for LGBTQQ Youth
- Larkin Street Youth Services
- Positive Resource Center
- AIDS Emergency Fund (PRC)
JM!: What are your hopes for the future of the Court?
AJM: We raised awareness of new needs and money for many smaller charitable organizations like PAWS or the holiday dinners sponsored by Tenderloin Tessie. In this way, we all bring something different to the Table of Life. Drawing on our own experiences, we can pick from this table the things from the past that we can hopefully adapt and apply to our current lives. We can find many paths to help us achieve what we want out of life for ourselves. As the years have gone by, I instill the same principles and positive values I had planted in the younger generation.
To me, this is the hope that it will encourage others to find ways to do good for our communities and our beloved City By The Bay. Each generation faces and must overcome different challenges that come their way. I’ve always suggested that our young people learn to apply their unique talents by beginning from their heart. And just as important, have fun with it all. I’m around my role in helping to build a strong foundation for the future they are now making.
To learn more about the Imperial Council of San Francisco, visit imperialcouncilsf.org. Please visit the Imperial Council of San Francisco’s website to donate to the reigning Monarchs Charity Fund.
