Sir Lady Java , also known simply as Lady Java born is an American transgender rights activist, exotic dancer , singer, comedian, and actress. Active on stage, television, radio and film [1] from the mids to s, she is a popular and influential personality in the Los Angeles-area African-American LGBT community. Born in New Orleans , Louisiana in By , she had moved to Los Angeles, California, and become a mainstay of the nightclub circuit, [4] where she was associated with such figures as Redd Foxx , Sammy Davis Jr.
She cited Lena Horne , Mae West , and Josephine Baker as inspirations for her performances, which involved dancing, impersonations, singing, and comedy. In the early fall of , after a successful two-week engagement at Redd Foxx 's club which Java was seeking to extend, the Los Angeles Police Department began shutting down the now-famous Java's performances, citing Rule Number 9 , a local ordinance prohibiting the "impersonation by means of costume or dress a person of the opposite sex," and threatening to fine clubs that hosted her.
Rule Number 9 ultimately was struck down after a separate dispute in In , Java performed with Lena Horne at a birthday party for nightclub owner and columnist Gertrude Gipson.
From the s, Java kept a lower public profile. Since retiring from performance and recovering from a stroke, she has made a limited return to public life, appearing locally in southern California and giving interviews.
In June , she was a guest of honor at the 18th annual Trans Pride L. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Sir Lady Java. New Orleans , Louisiana, U. Archived from the original on February 16, Queer Art History. Retrieved January 7, ISBN Retrieved June 19, Birthday Bash". August 10, Retrieved February 11, November 16, December 17, Retrieved February 15, AFI Catalog. February 15, Namespaces Article Talk.
