Craig Hollywood
Encyclopedia
Craig Hollywood is an American
member of The International Imperial Court System
(IICS). Born in Salem
, Oregon
, he was elected Mr. Gay Portland XXIII in 1998 and as Emperor of the Imperial Court of New York
in 2007. He also is a volunteer fire fighter in Suffolk County, New York
currently serving as Assistant Chief and Training Officer for the department. In August 2009, Williams was elected Secretary of Heritage of Pride
, Inc. which produces NYC Pride each summer. Heritage of Pride is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that organizes New York City's
annual LGBT Pride events which include the (March
, PrideFest, Dance on the Pier and Rally) to commemorate the Stonewall Riots
of 1969.
, Hollywood became involved in the Imperial Court
in the Portland area in 1997 and was elected Mr. Gay Portland XXIII in August 1998. In late 1999, he was transferred by his work to the New York City
area. Hollywood has been employed by Quest Diagnostics since 1984 at the Portland, Oregon
, laboratory before transferring to the Teterboro, New Jersey
, business unit in the Information Technology department.
On March 31, 2007, Hollywood was crowned His Most Imperial and Sovereign Majesty, Emperor XVI Craig Hollywood at the Imperial Court of New York's annual Night of a Thousand Gowns charity ball at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Times Square
. Performers that night included: Cyndi Lauper
, Daphne Rubin-Vega
and Darlene Love
. The charity ball was a benefit for PFLAG New York City's The Stay Close Campaign.
On March 29, 2008, Hollywood stepped down as the reigning Emperor of the Imperial Court of New York at the 2008 Night of a Thousand Gowns charity ball at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Times Square. Performers that night were: Ari Gold, France Joli
, Mary Testa
, Kathy Brier
, Megan McCauly, Stear a.k.a. Christopher Wilson, Kathy Brier
, Jessica Lee Goldyn
, Verna Turbulence, Cashino, Angel Sheridan and DJ Lady Bunny
. Honorary Chairs for the charity ball were: Mikhail Baryshnikov
, Tim Gunn
, Michael Kors
and Bob Mackie
. The charity ball was a benefit for ACRIA (AIDS Community Research Initiative of America) and Bailey House.
, in May 1961 to Jim and Donna Williams. He graduated High School from Grants Pass
High School, Oregon in 1979 after attending South Middle School. He completed his Associate of Arts degree from Rogue Community College
in 1981. He completed a third year at the University of Oregon
but never completed his degree. In November 2003 he was awarded his Bachelor's of Science in Information Technology from the University of Phoenix
and in May 2007 his Master's of Science
in Computer Information Systems also from the University of Phoenix
.
.
from 1977 to 1990. He raised through the Cadet ranks to become a Cadet Major and received the Amelia Earhart
award. Upon turning 21, he transferred to the Senior ranks where he was eventually promoted to Major
and served in various positions to include Director of Cadet Programs, Oregon Wing Headquarters and Director of Personnel, Oregon Wing Headquarters.
cable TV studio. He received a Finalist Award from the Hometown Video Awards, National Federation of Local Cable Programmers for his program series "MALES!" A performing arts video series 1989-1991.
hockey club of the Western Hockey League
.
After moving to New York in late 1999, he continued his activities in the International Court System
by joining the Imperial Court of New York. After 7 years of service to the organization, Craig was elected in September 2006 to represent the Imperial Court of New York as their Emperor XVI Craig Hollywood. He was crowned March 31, 2007 at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square at midnight along with his new Empress XXI B. The gala coronation ball was a benefit for PFLAG New York City Stay Close campaign. Craig is known as the Fire Taming Rose Emperor of New York. Craig and B will celebrate their reign at the Imperial Court of New York's 22nd Annual Night of a Thousand Gowns on Saturday, March 29, 2008. The Imperial Court of New York is a member of the Imperial Court System
. Named a brother by Empress Paris Idean of Massachusetts. Family titles are handed out by monarchs of foreign kingdoms to specific individuals from other kingdoms. This is a standard practice within the Imperial Court System.
, Germany
's Christopher Street Days (CSD) 2007 featured an article on page 9-12 about the New York City
Christopher Street. It talked about the history of the Stonewall riots
of 1969 with a picture of the present day Stonewall Inn
on Christopher Street with long time barkeep "Tree" on page 11. The article talks about past and present day Christopher Street and how the GLBT movement began here back in 1969. On page 10 is a half-page picture of Empress XXI B and Emperor XVI Craig Hollywood. These photos and more were featured at a showing at the Ausstellung im Cafe Gnosa from 9 July to 5 August 2007 in Hamburg
.
(Fire Island, New York
) Fire Department. In September 2007 he was named a Training Officer for the department. He is also a Firefighter evaluator for the Bergen County, New Jersey
Fire Academy where he takes most of his fire training during the winter months. Cherry Grove is a beach community on Fire Island. There are no roads within the community. All emergency vehicle movement is by specially designed golf carts. Craig is very proud to be volunteering for such a unique fire department.
Williams was elected an Assistant Chief of the department in 2009.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
member of The International Imperial Court System
Imperial Court System
The International Imperial Court System is one of the oldest and largest predominantly gay organizations in the world. The court raises money for charity through large annual fancy-dress costume balls in communities throughout North America and numerous smaller fundraisers each year...
(IICS). Born in Salem
Salem, Oregon
Salem is the capital of the U.S. state of Oregon, and the county seat of Marion County. It is located in the center of the Willamette Valley alongside the Willamette River, which runs north through the city. The river forms the boundary between Marion and Polk counties, and the city neighborhood...
, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, he was elected Mr. Gay Portland XXIII in 1998 and as Emperor of the Imperial Court of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
in 2007. He also is a volunteer fire fighter in Suffolk County, New York
Suffolk County, New York
Suffolk County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York on the eastern portion of Long Island. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,493,350. It was named for the county of Suffolk in England, from which its earliest settlers came...
currently serving as Assistant Chief and Training Officer for the department. In August 2009, Williams was elected Secretary of Heritage of Pride
Heritage of Pride
Heritage of Pride is a wholly volunteer-managed, non-partisan, tax-exempt, non-profit organization that organizes lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender pride events in New York City to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Riots...
, Inc. which produces NYC Pride each summer. Heritage of Pride is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that organizes New York City's
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
annual LGBT Pride events which include the (March
Gay Pride Parade (New York City)
The Gay Pride March is an annual march more commonly referred to as the Pride Parade in New York City, traversing southward down Fifth Avenue and ending at Greenwich Village...
, PrideFest, Dance on the Pier and Rally) to commemorate the Stonewall Riots
Stonewall riots
The Stonewall riots were a series of spontaneous, violent demonstrations against a police raid that took place in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn, in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York City...
of 1969.
Introduction
Originally from OregonOregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, Hollywood became involved in the Imperial Court
Imperial Court System
The International Imperial Court System is one of the oldest and largest predominantly gay organizations in the world. The court raises money for charity through large annual fancy-dress costume balls in communities throughout North America and numerous smaller fundraisers each year...
in the Portland area in 1997 and was elected Mr. Gay Portland XXIII in August 1998. In late 1999, he was transferred by his work to the New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
area. Hollywood has been employed by Quest Diagnostics since 1984 at the Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
, laboratory before transferring to the Teterboro, New Jersey
Teterboro, New Jersey
Teterboro is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 67, making it the fourth smallest municipality, by population, in New Jersey....
, business unit in the Information Technology department.
On March 31, 2007, Hollywood was crowned His Most Imperial and Sovereign Majesty, Emperor XVI Craig Hollywood at the Imperial Court of New York's annual Night of a Thousand Gowns charity ball at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Times Square
Times Square
Times Square is a major commercial intersection in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue and stretching from West 42nd to West 47th Streets...
. Performers that night included: Cyndi Lauper
Cyndi Lauper
Cynthia Ann Stephanie "Cyndi" Lauper is an American singer, songwriter, actress and LGBT rights activist. She achieved success in the mid-1980s with the release of the album She's So Unusual and became the first female singer to have four top-five singles released from one album...
, Daphne Rubin-Vega
Daphne Rubin-Vega
Daphne Rubin-Vega is a dancer, singer, and actress. She is best known for originating the role of Mimi Marquez in the Broadway musical Rent, and the role of Lucy, in the Off-Broadway play Jack Goes Boating.-Biography:Rubin-Vega was born in Panama City, Panama, the daughter of Daphine Vega, a...
and Darlene Love
Darlene Love
Darlene Love is an American popular music singer and actress. She gained prominence in the 1960s for the song "He's a Rebel," a #1 American single in 1962, and was part of the Phil Spector stable that produced a celebrated Christmas album in 1963....
. The charity ball was a benefit for PFLAG New York City's The Stay Close Campaign.
On March 29, 2008, Hollywood stepped down as the reigning Emperor of the Imperial Court of New York at the 2008 Night of a Thousand Gowns charity ball at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Times Square. Performers that night were: Ari Gold, France Joli
France Joli
France Joli is a Canadian singer, born 1963, who is best known for the disco classic "Come to Me."-Teen stardom:A native of Montreal, Quebec, Joli grew up in the Montreal suburb of Dorion...
, Mary Testa
Mary Testa
Mary Testa is an American stage actress. She is a two-time Tony Award nominee, for performances in revivals of Leonard Bernstein's On the Town and 42nd Street ....
, Kathy Brier
Kathy Brier
Kathy Brier is an American actress and singer.-Early life:Brier grew up on Staten Island, where she attended Moore Catholic High School before studying theatre and business at Wagner College, qualifying for a Bachelor of Science in arts administration.-Career:Brier played the role of Marcie Walsh...
, Megan McCauly, Stear a.k.a. Christopher Wilson, Kathy Brier
Kathy Brier
Kathy Brier is an American actress and singer.-Early life:Brier grew up on Staten Island, where she attended Moore Catholic High School before studying theatre and business at Wagner College, qualifying for a Bachelor of Science in arts administration.-Career:Brier played the role of Marcie Walsh...
, Jessica Lee Goldyn
Jessica Lee Goldyn
Jessica Lee Goldyn is an American Broadway actress who most recently performed in the revival of Chorus Line as Val. She played the lead role of Cassie from August 10, 2008 opposite of Mario Lopez who played the character Zack, until the show ended its Broadway revival run on August 17, 2008...
, Verna Turbulence, Cashino, Angel Sheridan and DJ Lady Bunny
Lady Bunny
The Lady Bunny is an American drag queen originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee, who has lived in New York since the 1980s. She is the founder of the annual Wigstock event and is well-known as a nightclub DJ, promoter and celebrity...
. Honorary Chairs for the charity ball were: Mikhail Baryshnikov
Mikhail Baryshnikov
Mikhail Nikolaevich Baryshnikov is a Soviet and American dancer, choreographer, and actor, often cited alongside Vaslav Nijinsky and Rudolf Nureyev as one of the greatest ballet dancers of the 20th century. After a promising start in the Kirov Ballet in Leningrad, he defected to Canada in 1974...
, Tim Gunn
Tim Gunn
Timothy M. "Tim" Gunn is an American fashion consultant and television personality. He was on the faculty of Parsons The New School for Design from 1982 to 2007 and was chair of fashion design at the school from August 2000 to March 2007, after which he joined Liz Claiborne as its chief creative...
, Michael Kors
Michael Kors
Michael Kors is an American fashion designer. He is best known for designing classic American sportswear for women.-Personal life:...
and Bob Mackie
Bob Mackie
Robert Gordon Mackie is an American fashion designer, best known for his costuming for entertainment icons such as Judy Garland, Cher, Diana Ross, Liza Minnelli, Tina Turner, and Mitzi Gaynor...
. The charity ball was a benefit for ACRIA (AIDS Community Research Initiative of America) and Bailey House.
Birth and education
Craig Langley Williams was born in Salem, OregonSalem, Oregon
Salem is the capital of the U.S. state of Oregon, and the county seat of Marion County. It is located in the center of the Willamette Valley alongside the Willamette River, which runs north through the city. The river forms the boundary between Marion and Polk counties, and the city neighborhood...
, in May 1961 to Jim and Donna Williams. He graduated High School from Grants Pass
Grants Pass, Oregon
-Rogue River:The Rogue River runs through Grants Pass.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 23,003 people, 9,376 households, and 5,925 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 9,885 housing units at an average density of 1,303.3 per square mile . By 2008,...
High School, Oregon in 1979 after attending South Middle School. He completed his Associate of Arts degree from Rogue Community College
Rogue Community College
Rogue Community College is a 2-year, community college with campuses in both Jackson County and Josephine County, falling roughly in the geographic region known as the Rogue Valley in Southern Oregon.-Accreditation:...
in 1981. He completed a third year at the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
but never completed his degree. In November 2003 he was awarded his Bachelor's of Science in Information Technology from the University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix
The University of Phoenix is a for-profit institution of higher learning. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Apollo Group Inc. which is publicly traded , an S&P 500 corporation based in Phoenix, Arizona...
and in May 2007 his Master's of Science
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
in Computer Information Systems also from the University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix
The University of Phoenix is a for-profit institution of higher learning. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Apollo Group Inc. which is publicly traded , an S&P 500 corporation based in Phoenix, Arizona...
.
Career
Williams was a Supervisor of Laboratory Information Systems Operations at Corning Clinical Laboratories - Northwest Region from 1984 to 1999 . Previously he was the Software Manager for Doxis Systems from 1982 to 1984 and a programmer for Creative Systems from 1981 to 1982. Currently, Williams works for Quest Diagnostics out of their Teterboro, New Jersey facility. He lives in Hasbrouck Heights, New JerseyHasbrouck Heights, New Jersey
Hasbrouck Heights is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 census, the borough population was 11,842. An inner-ring suburb of New York City, Hasbrouck Heights is located approximately northwest of Midtown Manhattan and west of Upper Manhattan.Hasbrouck Heights was...
.
Civil Air Patrol
A member of the Civil Air PatrolCivil Air Patrol
Civil Air Patrol is a Congressionally chartered, federally supported, non-profit corporation that serves as the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force . CAP is a volunteer organization with an aviation-minded membership that includes people from all backgrounds, lifestyles, and...
from 1977 to 1990. He raised through the Cadet ranks to become a Cadet Major and received the Amelia Earhart
Amelia Earhart
Amelia Mary Earhart was a noted American aviation pioneer and author. Earhart was the first woman to receive the U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross, awarded for becoming the first aviatrix to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean...
award. Upon turning 21, he transferred to the Senior ranks where he was eventually promoted to Major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
and served in various positions to include Director of Cadet Programs, Oregon Wing Headquarters and Director of Personnel, Oregon Wing Headquarters.
Portland Cable Access Television
A member of the Board of Directors (1988–1993) for Portland Cable Access Television; 1st Vice President (1989–1993); President (1993); chair, planning and development committee, 1988-1993. Craig produced several series and shows for the not-for-profit Public-access televisionPublic-access television
Public-access television is a form of non-commercial mass media where ordinary people can create content television programming which is cablecast through cable TV specialty channels...
cable TV studio. He received a Finalist Award from the Hometown Video Awards, National Federation of Local Cable Programmers for his program series "MALES!" A performing arts video series 1989-1991.
Portland Winter Hawks
Craig also volunteered as newsletter editor (1994 to 1999) with the Portland Winter HawksPortland Winter Hawks
The Portland Winterhawks are a major junior ice hockey team based in Portland, Oregon, playing in the Western Hockey League, a member league in the Canadian Hockey League. They play their home games at the Memorial Coliseum, though typically a few games each season are also played in the...
hockey club of the Western Hockey League
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
.
Arts Project of Cherry Grove
Williams was asked to fill a vacancy on the Arts Project of Cherry Grove's Board of Directors for the season 2003.Imperial Court of New York
Imperial Court System
The International Imperial Court System is one of the oldest and largest predominantly gay organizations in the world. The court raises money for charity through large annual fancy-dress costume balls in communities throughout North America and numerous smaller fundraisers each year...
by joining the Imperial Court of New York. After 7 years of service to the organization, Craig was elected in September 2006 to represent the Imperial Court of New York as their Emperor XVI Craig Hollywood. He was crowned March 31, 2007 at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square at midnight along with his new Empress XXI B. The gala coronation ball was a benefit for PFLAG New York City Stay Close campaign. Craig is known as the Fire Taming Rose Emperor of New York. Craig and B will celebrate their reign at the Imperial Court of New York's 22nd Annual Night of a Thousand Gowns on Saturday, March 29, 2008. The Imperial Court of New York is a member of the Imperial Court System
Imperial Court System
The International Imperial Court System is one of the oldest and largest predominantly gay organizations in the world. The court raises money for charity through large annual fancy-dress costume balls in communities throughout North America and numerous smaller fundraisers each year...
. Named a brother by Empress Paris Idean of Massachusetts. Family titles are handed out by monarchs of foreign kingdoms to specific individuals from other kingdoms. This is a standard practice within the Imperial Court System.
Christopher Street Days - Hamburg, Germany 2007
The Pride Magazine from HamburgHamburg
-History:The first historic name for the city was, according to Claudius Ptolemy's reports, Treva.But the city takes its modern name, Hamburg, from the first permanent building on the site, a castle whose construction was ordered by the Emperor Charlemagne in AD 808...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
's Christopher Street Days (CSD) 2007 featured an article on page 9-12 about the New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
Christopher Street. It talked about the history of the Stonewall riots
Stonewall riots
The Stonewall riots were a series of spontaneous, violent demonstrations against a police raid that took place in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn, in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York City...
of 1969 with a picture of the present day Stonewall Inn
Stonewall Inn
The Stonewall Inn, often shortened to Stonewall is an American bar in New York City and the site of the Stonewall riots of 1969, which are widely considered to be the single most important event leading to the gay liberation movement and the modern fight for gay and lesbian rights in the United...
on Christopher Street with long time barkeep "Tree" on page 11. The article talks about past and present day Christopher Street and how the GLBT movement began here back in 1969. On page 10 is a half-page picture of Empress XXI B and Emperor XVI Craig Hollywood. These photos and more were featured at a showing at the Ausstellung im Cafe Gnosa from 9 July to 5 August 2007 in Hamburg
Hamburg
-History:The first historic name for the city was, according to Claudius Ptolemy's reports, Treva.But the city takes its modern name, Hamburg, from the first permanent building on the site, a castle whose construction was ordered by the Emperor Charlemagne in AD 808...
.
Fire fighter
He is a certified Fire 1 and Fire 2 firefighter with the Cherry GroveCherry Grove, New York
Cherry Grove is an unincorporated hamlet in the Town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County, New York, United States. It is located on Fire Island, a barrier island separated from the southern side of Long Island by the Great South Bay...
(Fire Island, New York
Fire Island, New York
Fire Island is one of the outer barrier islands adjacent to the south shore of Long Island, New York. It is approximately long and varies between broad. Fire Island is part of Suffolk County. It comprises a number of hamlets, census-designated places , and villages, all of which lie within the...
) Fire Department. In September 2007 he was named a Training Officer for the department. He is also a Firefighter evaluator for the Bergen County, New Jersey
Bergen County, New Jersey
Bergen County is the most populous county of the state of New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, its population was 905,116. The county is part of the New York City Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Hackensack...
Fire Academy where he takes most of his fire training during the winter months. Cherry Grove is a beach community on Fire Island. There are no roads within the community. All emergency vehicle movement is by specially designed golf carts. Craig is very proud to be volunteering for such a unique fire department.
Williams was elected an Assistant Chief of the department in 2009.
External sources
- pride magazin, CSD Hamburg (Germany) 2007, neun gute Grunde zum CSD zu gehen, page 10.
- Fire Island Tide, Friday, July 6, 2007, Vol. 31, No.4, Page 9: Pines Invasion.
- New York Q News - Craig & B Crowned...at Gala ICNY PFLAG Benefit by Bruce-Michael Gelbert
- Imperial Court of New York
- International Court System
- Blog of Emperor XVI Craig Hollywood
- Boy in Bushwick - Imperial Court of New York NOATG 2007
- Cherry Grove Fire Department
- Theater Scene (7/6/2005) Legends In Their Own Minds: A Rollicking Royal Revue by Jeannie Lieberman - Off-Broadway
- FireIslandQNews - Labohn and Company Spoof Fashion in 10th Anniversary Doctor's Fund Show by Bruce-Michael Gelbert
- Fire Island Sun-Jacqueline Jonee:Born on the 4th with Jonee by Jeannie Lieberman
- Fire Island Sun-High Fashion Follies Flies Off The Runway by Jeannie Lieberman
- Imperial Court Circular August 2001
- Bergen County Fire Academy: Fire Academy Volunteer Evaluators 2007
- HX Magazine, November 2, 2007; Homo Dish column
- Fire Island Tide, Friday, May 23, 2008, Vol. 32, No.1, Page 25: The Imperial Court of New York: A Night of a Thousand Gowns, by Bob Levin.
- Morning Sentinel, August 16, 2011; New York hiker's death on Appalachian Trail 'unexplained' by Doug Harlow