Service

Who Is the Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire?

When most people think of the Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire (R.C.G.S.E.), the first thought that comes to mind are drag queens. And although most of the members who perform for fundraisers are drag queens… the organization is much more than a bunch of drag queens or a constant drag show.

The tradition of the Court Systems in the gay communities of America started in 1965 in San Francisco when Jose Sarria began the International Imperial Court System. All Courts receive their charters from the International Court, and there are currently sixty-seven (70) local chapters in cities across the United States and Canada.

The Salt Lake City Chapter, the R.C.G.S.E., started in 1976 and is the longest-standing gay & lesbian non-profit fundraising organization in Utah. The original intent of the organization was to showcase drag performers and raise funds for Utah charities, however, in the 31 years of our existence, we have gone above and beyond that original intent and been able to help and showcase the wonderful people of the GLBT community of Salt Lake City.

The organization's membership base is dependant upon volunteers who pay membership dues and join the Royal Court system. Anyone 18 years of age and older may join the organization and titleholders are named through community wide competitions such as the Gay Utah & Gay Pride Pageants to name a few.

Leadership

Who runs the R.C.G.S.E.?

The Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire is a Non-Profit 501c3 organization filed with the state of Utah.  It is ran by a board of directors consisting of the reigning Emperor, Empress, Prince & Princess as well as the standard appointed seats of President, Secretary and Treasurer. There are also a number of appointed and elected seats that comprise the remaining people on the board.  Board elections are held every September and are open to those who meet the qualifications to run, set forth by our Bylaws and Resolutions.

The board meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of every month to review issues and vote on the operations of the organizations.  Board meetings are open to the public, however, are not open forum.  The only people allowed to talk or present ideas, are the seated members of the board.    If you would like to address the board of directors, please contact the president of the board and they will make sure that time is allotted on the agenda for you to speak.  The email to reach the President of the Board is on our Contacts link.

Every year in May we have our Coronation where our reigning Emperor and Empress step down and the newly elected Emperor & Empress are crowned. In the weeks before Coronation, the Emperor and Empress candidates campaign and the final winners are publicly elected.  Anyone with a valid Utah photo I.D., living within the boundaries of the R.C.G.S.E., can vote in the general election.

Fundraising

Where do the funds raised by the R.C.G.S.E go?

Every year the members of the R.C.G.S.E. and its title holders strive to raise money for each of the Court's primary funds. Some of these funds include our Cancer Fund, Aids Fund, The Felicia Young Adult Fund and the Rainbow Fund.  We also have a Scholarship fund and each year at our annual Coronation, the R.C.G.S.E gives out thousands of dollars to deserving GLBT individuals as well as children of GLBT individuals to help them continue their education.

Along with overseeing the fundraising activities, each year the Emperor, Empress, Prince and Princess, are responsible for hosting three specific fundraisers for our Aids, Cancer and PWA Christmas Funds.

In October, the Emperor hosts an AIDS Awareness Week to promote awareness and raise money to fight the HIV / Aids epidemic.  The money that is raised goes to our R.C.G.S.E Aids fund and is used to help people living with HIV / Aids as well as assist in the research of and fight against this disease.

The reigning Empress hosts a Cancer Awareness Week in March. A lot like the AIDS Awareness week the Emperor oversees, the purpose of this week is to promote awareness and raise money to fight Cancer in our community.  The money that is raised goes to our Cancer fund and is used to help people living with Cancer as well as assist in the research of and fight against this disease.

From their appointment to office at our annual Victory Brunch in May to a weekend in December, the Reigning Prince and Princess work tirelessly to raise money for our PWA Christmas fund.  The purpose of this fund is to allow the R.C.G.S.E along with the Prince and Princess to give a gift of $100 to as many people as we can to assist with and or make their holiday season brighter. In December of each year, the Prince and Princess hold Snowball.  Snowball is the culminating event to end their holiday fundraising.  It is a magical night that helps raise even more money, and tells the community thank you for their hard work.

Although these events are used as the primary fundraising efforts by the organization, the R.C.G.S.E. also believes in educating the community to make healthy lifestyle choices.