Founded in 1997, SOMS has donated more than $150,000 to organizations that directly impact the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, two-spirit and queer communities.
BY WENDY KING
“There are so many other areas that people don’t know about, like Rainbow Resource Centre,” he says. Every year, someone is elected Emperor, Empress or Emprix. The group is modeled after European courts with titles such as Prince, Princess, Duke, Duchess and more whimsical titles like Keeper of the Royal Coffee Cup. Reigning monarchs and their Upper Houses have in the past presented fundraiser drag shows, bingo, reading at the library, meat draws, bake sales, jewelry raffles and bowling. During Hazlewood’s reign as Empress V of Winnipeg, SOMS raised funds for the Street Outreach collective. “And back in 2005, we went out and made sure people had access to things like condoms and literature about safe sex and so on — and things most people in the heterosexual community don’t think twice about. “We would go every year and get a Christmas wish list from all the children in the HIV/AIDS ward at Misericordia Hospital and we would buy them all their Christmas gifts.” Additionally, SOMS does general fundraising through private donors such as TD Bank and Telus. During the pandemic, they’ve moved online. “We’re constantly evolving and we’re trying to meet the needs of the community that we support, which in this case is obviously quarantined in many ways.” For Virtual Pride performances, popular entertainers Joan Costalotsa — who is both a
Pride Winnipeg Festival is aiming to have “virtually everyone” in the community participate — and that translates to “everyone virtually” participating online. Happily, the Snowy Owl Monarchist Society (SOMS) is preened and ready to take flight. “For Pride, we are presenting a 15-minute window of entertainment by some of our veterans and our up-and-coming performers from our community,” says Matt Hazlewood, a founding member and current board president of the volunteer-run service organization. “We make every effort to have representation at all events, simply because we know how important they are.” Founded in 1997, SOMS has donated more than $150,000 to organizations that directly impact the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, two- spirit and queer communities. A chapter in the Imperial Court System, which was founded in San Francisco in 1965, it is one of 70-plus courts across North America. “The way I like to say it is imagine us as the gay Shriners ... and you may also be familiar with the Daughters of the Nile, their female counterparts,” Hazlewood says. “So, extravagant dress-up, large festive balls and organizational events — but primarily we’re here fundraising for the underfunded, or not-funded groups that most people are unaware of, and just being there for the community in general.” He emphasizes that large, well-known organizations benefit from government funding and private donations.
past Imperial Crown Princess and a Grand Duke — two-time Empress Anita Stallion and recent Co-entertainer of the Year Ruby Chopstix are doing the honours. Looking to the future, SOMS offers a scholarship, recognizing individuals dedicated to proactively furthering the development of the community. It is awarded to a student who is or will be attending a post-secondary institution where the focus is science, social services or the humanities. Hazlewood says it’s all about giving back. In fact, it’s written right into their bylaws: To maintain a mandate of selflessness for the betterment of the SOMS, the community at large and the general public. “The way we look at it is it’s not really about promoting our own, but about looking after our own, like a family,” he says. “I like to think of that phrase, ‘If you have, don’t build a bigger wall, build a bigger table.’ And that’s what we do — we’re always trying to make sure that everybody has a seat.” Find more information about SOMS online at impcourtmb.ca.
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