The Imperial Court of Houston, Inc. (ICOH - The Space City Empire) is a 501(c)3 non-profit diversity-focused charitable and social organization open to and supportive of all individuals who uphold the ideals of Integrity, Community, Opportunity and Humanity; and is further dedicated to raising funds for worthy 501(c)(3) charitable charities including but not limited to organizations fighting HIV/AIDS, Breast Cancer, Hepatitis C, Prostate Cancer and other disease and to help educate our members and community on the programs offered by local agencies and organizations.
ICOH is
"camp" in nature as the group has
chosen to play “Empire” with our co-presidents being an “Emperor and
Empress” elected by the community. ICOH - The Space City Empire has princes
and countesses as well as swords and crowns, but the organization takes the job
of fund raising and education for the community very seriously. Although ICOH - The Space City
Empire reflects the “style” of other organizations across the country, the
organization is not a part of any “International Group.” The
members want the camp...and the pomp and circumstance...but they wish to focus
their efforts on the Houston Community.
Membership in Space City Empire is open to all - regardless of race, sexual
orientation, or gender identity. Empire members are extremely active in the Houston GLBT
Community as presidents, past presidents, officers and members of numerous
organizations such as the Colt 45's, Gay and Lesbian Switchboard, the Houston
Area Bears, the Houston Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus, the National Leather
Association, the PWA Holiday Charities, Sundance Cattle Company and many more. Our members have
received top honors throughout our diverse community as we have numerous Pride Parade Grand Marshals
in our membership, a Miss Gay Houston USofA At-large, a Miss Texas Continental,
a Miss Houston USofA, a Miss Harris
County Continental, as well as a
Mr. Gay Texas All-American, a Mr. Gay Houston USofA at Large, and numerous Mr. Miss and Ms. Gay Pride
titleholders, and many bar royalty (including Chances, Cousins, BRB and more).
During ICOH's
first year, November 3, 2002 was proclaimed
"Imperial Court of Houston Day" by Mayor Lee P. Brown, and most recently October
7, 2006 was proclaimed "The Imperial Court of Houston - The Space City Empire
Day" by Mayor Bill White. ICOH is an auxiliary member of
the Houston Council of Clubs and a member of the Houston GLBT Chamber of Commerce.
The organization has received recognition awards from numerous groups within the
city, and ICOH -
The Space City Empire is very proud to call "EJ's" and "Tony's
Corner Pocket" our home
bars.
Our members hold true to the fact that we can all do something good for our
brothers and sisters in need, have fun and serve as role models in the process.