Not enough people know the story of Sir Lady Java. That's going to change.

Sir Lady Java was a trained dancer and professional “female impersonator” who lived openly as a transgender woman. Born in New Orleans, she rose to prominence in Los Angeles’s Black nightlife scene during the 1960s and 1970s. She performed alongside major entertainers and appeared in the 1976 film The Human Tornado, as well as in magazine features including The Advocate. In 1967 police shut down her act at Redd Foxx’s club for violating “Rule 9,” which banned performers from impersonating the opposite sex. The ACLU defended her, making her the first trans person represented by the organization. She died in November 2024 at age 82.

"A talented and trained dancer, Sir Lady Java branded herself a "female impersonator" professionally; however, she lived openly as a transgender woman in her personal life. Originally from New Orleans, she rose to prominence in L.A.'s Black nightlife scene during the 1960s and '70s. She performed on the same stages as legends like Redd Fox, Richard Pryor, Sammy Davis Jr., James Brown, Quincy Jones, Ray Charles, and Lena Horne. She starred (as herself) in the 1976 film The Human Tornado and appeared in numerous magazine articles and spreads, including in , , , and The Advocate."

"While regarded for her fabulous nightclub performances, Sir Lady Java was also an ahead-of-her-time activist. In 1967, police shut down her act at Redd Foxx's club due to violating "Rule 9" - a local regulation banning performers from impersonating the opposite sex. The ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) came to her defense, making her the first trans person ever represented by the organization."

"In addition to buying and selling rare vintage books, periodicals, photographs, and various other historical ephemera that document "radical, lesser-known, and alternative histories," Fugitive Materials also publishes its own books, zines, and catalogs - often inspired by the archival materials currently in its care. Its latest zine, Who Is Sir Lady Java? highlights the fascinating underground icon and her place in queer history."

"Sir Lady Java went on to live a long and storied life, and was beloved and revered by many in the LGBTQ+ community and beyond. She passed away in November of 2024 at the age of 82."

Read at Advocate.com