Oct
16
For weeks now on PROUD FM we have been having the people in from TICOT (The Imperial Court of Toronto) talking about the election and coronation of their newest Empress. For those who don’t know (as I didn’t), there are courts in many many cities in Canada and the U.S.. The members of the court basically raise money for charities. Two candidates stood before us. One, well spoken, in full face makeup and jewels, bearing gift bags and home baked cookies. The other, not nearly as much effort, not even appearing in drag. This went on for weeks, with one candidate clearly the front runner (in my mind anyway). Finally the elections took place and we anxiously awaited the announcing of the new empress at the coronation. I didn’t get to go, but Mark, a well known face in the Village, did (see pic below). The result? An upset! Follow the progress of TICOT as we continue to interview them on BREAKFAST IN BED with PATRICK & DEB on 103.9 PROUD FM, M-F 6-10a
Mark - Looking Like A Million Dollar Bill
P.S. I LOVE Halloween!
October 17th, 2009 at 7:15 am
TICOT used to be a proud and noble organization , many years ago. Since the beginning, however, there has always been a man who has not played the game fairly. This is not a new thing and he has managed to control TICOT for as many elections and executives as he could buy his way into. But, the members of TICOT allow him to do so, therefore part of the blame must be put on them. No one person can be omnipetent unless he has followers. In this election, he backed the faceless drunk because he knows he can control her, rather than the candidate who could do the job independently. Independence does not work well with control freaks! So now, the elected empress of Toronto, the person representing this city in the ICS is a blowzy, incoherant, drunk and when she falls flat on her unpainted face, people will want to know who to blame. Partially the man who has been allowed to control TICOT and partially every person who cast a vote for his candidate with the promise of a free drink, a guarantee he would help them in their future bid to become Emperor or Empress or just because they were told to without even knowing who they were voting for.
Shame
October 19th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
When it was announced Thelma had won half or more of the room got up and walk out including
me to greet the rightfull Empress who can lyp sync unlike the one who was elected. When we all went back in to the ballroom we only did so only because Morgan was re-entering to congradulate Thelma. At that momment there was an awkward silience in the room from those of us standing just inside the ballroom doors at the side of the room supporting Morgan and those few that were still sitting. Until a loud cheer went up as it was announced Morgan was here to congradulate Thelma. After the cheer for Morgan one lone individual spoke up and said “Thank You Morgan for not being a puppet for ……..”. I have to admit alot of people were not happy that night as many had come from the USA and across Canada to see Morgan crowned Empress including those from around Toronto.
TICOT is about to have it AGM if you you want a say and are willing to pay your membership fee at the meeting show up and let them know what you think, say your peace.
October 21st, 2009 at 10:37 am
I have to say that while I was disappointed with the recent TICOT election results, I was not surprised when I saw that George Pratt and PLAY were supporting Thelma. For years certain business owners have tried to sway the TICOT elections: from threatening staff that they will be fired for not voting for certain candidates (a farce because NO ONE can tell who you voted for. Your name does NOT appear on your ballot) to handing out bar tabs for votes, to threatening to pull sponsorship of various teams and groups if the vote does not go the way “they” want. I think that a person who has dedicated time, effort and energy into promoting the organization within the local community and beyond should win over a drunken puppet supported by a tyrant. I heard all kinds of lies and rumours being spread BY THE CHAIR OF THE ORGANIZATIONS about Morgan James – none of which I beleived because I ACTUALLY SPOKE TO HER ABOUT HER PLATFORM AND WHAT SHE WANTED TO BRING TO TICOT. The smae CHAIR OF THE GROUP was out campaigning at Church and Wellseley for THELMA. Way to be impartial! Yet again, TICOT will face a hard year because one man is afraid that shows and fundraisers will be held in places OTHER THAN HIS BAR. Shameful. The ones who really lose out this year are the PWA Food Programs. Under Morgan’s leadership, TICOT could have raised a LARGE amount of money and helped raise more awareness of this program. Under Thelma, the charity will suffer because no one wants to support her and the court. My suggestion is to make a donation DIRECTLY to PWA and tell them it’s in the name of the “real” Empress this year – MORGAN JAMES. PWA should not have to suffer because bar owners are greedy
October 22nd, 2009 at 7:20 am
For the second year in a row, Mr. Pratt has fixed an election so that he gets the candidate he wants, rather than the candidate who actually did win and deserved to win. Ultimately, he will get the candidate he deserves – a do nothing, unqualified puppet for two years running who requires massive propping up and has no support from actual court members. How did a once-credible fundraising organization become the tool of a greedy bar owner whose only aim is to fill his till? Shame on anyone who supports this bogus reign. I agree with other posters who recommend donating directly to the PWA Food for Life Program in the name of the TRUE empress, Morgan James.
October 22nd, 2009 at 9:14 am
I’m not afraid to sign my real name because I have no issue with being banned from Play like others have been since Coronation. Can you imagine a bar owner banning someone because they voted for a mayoral candidate that he didn;t like? I had staff at Play tell me that as much as they like Morgan and like working with her and wanted to vote for her, they were told by their boss (George Pratt) that they had to vote for Thelma or he would fire them because he could tell who voted for whom. SO much for secret ballot. I have no doubt that the election was somehow fixed. It wouldn’t be the first time that this man has kept a strangle hold on this group (hello, Colby’s days?) He has members of the Board working for him, buys memberships for staff and friends that have never been to an event or a meeting so he can control the number of proxies in the room. I wonder how many people are members of TMS that don’t know that they are members? It’s too bad that a queen that can walk into any bar in the city or Canada – gay or straight – and book a successful fundraiser is shoved aside for a talentless drunk that can’t even do her own makeup. Another telling feature is the fact that her second in command does not come from the general membership – she’s a queen that’s been an Empress in other cities! The Imperial Crown Princess role should be one used as a stepping stone for people that want to be Empress (although in the past it’s been filled by a few disasters – Charo comes to mind). Why did George and Thelma choose Teran to be the ICP? What about other queens that could use the exposure and actually do some work? That’s right – they probably all said “No”. I agree that people should not support TICOT this year and if you want to support PWA, do so directly. At leat that way Thelma can’t steal your money and George Pratt will have to find another way to pay for his rent boys. I admit that I don’t know Morgan James and I am sure that she has faults like everyone else but I do know that I have at least seen her out in the community and not just plunked on a bar stool piss drunk or staggering out of bingo at Play. So TMS, have another year with a say nothing, do nothing Empress. Maybe next year you’ll get it right.
October 22nd, 2009 at 10:51 am
So she lost. So we’re upset. What are we going to do about besides bitch and moan? I’m going to boycott Play, TICOT and all the other places that Pratt has his grubby fingers in. I’m also going to make sure that all my friends do the same. Let’s all go to Woody’s instead. Has anyone seen Morgan James since she lost? Hell, has anyone seen Thelma since she won?
October 22nd, 2009 at 10:53 am
Tell Morgan to move to Hamilton. We’d love to have her as Empress!!!!
October 22nd, 2009 at 12:18 pm
I wonder if Play has a license to run those daily drunk bingo games?
October 22nd, 2009 at 12:23 pm
“My suggestion is to make a donation DIRECTLY to PWA and tell them it’s in the name of the “real” Empress this year – MORGAN JAMES. PWA should not have to suffer because bar owners are greedy”
Harsh, but true.
You can donate online too.
https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/honor.aspx?EventID=26466&LangPref=en-CA
PS Stone Fox is H-O-T!
October 22nd, 2009 at 12:37 pm
I’m sorry that Morgan lost but Thelma can’t be that bad. I mean, they passed her as a candidate, right? Who selects the candidates? So even though she photoshopped her face onto Hillary Clinton for her posters doesn’t mean that she’s not honest, right? And that she mislead people with the support comments on her campaign pamphlets doesn’t mean she’s not on the up and up.
October 22nd, 2009 at 12:38 pm
That is a lot of ugly in a crown.
October 22nd, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Wouldn’t be the first time we had a drunk for an Empress. how many times was Madame crowned Empress? And they gave her some fancy award. For standing upright? Bring Maria Del Monte back at least she had some class.
October 22nd, 2009 at 12:45 pm
This is like Dynasty on crack!
October 22nd, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Bitter queens. Move on.
October 22nd, 2009 at 6:37 pm
Not bitter queens. People rightfully fed up with the fact that TICOT is basically being used as a front to raise money for charity when really it’s all about getting people into someone’s bar. Some of that money never even makes it to the so-called designated charities. Ask Thelma how much she’s done for the community in the past four years. Unless you count propping up the bar at Play, the answer would be “Nothing at all.” Emperor and Empress titles, as dress up and make believe as they sound, are intended to reward community members for putting in time supporting community charities. At least that’s the way it works in other courts. In Toronto? Not so much. A fraudulent Empress backed by a bar owner with a very distinct profit motive – his own.
October 23rd, 2009 at 6:58 pm
I think alot of people are letting their personal feelings affect this wonderful organization.
If your choice of Empress did not get in, move on. Wether or not it was fixed or not, move on. There’s a thing called Karma out there and if we just live our lives in a good way and do our best to make sure good people serve our community then we all can feel good at the end of the day.
As for Miss Thelma Bouviere, she won. Let’s be adults and congradulate her. She has the chance at Inv. 1 to show us what she can do, and perhaps she’ll surprise us ?
I have no doubt that Morgan James, my personal favourite. She has done so much for TICOT over the years. I am sure that she would have done a fantatsic job, but at the same time – she ran and lost 2 years in a row. Until she’s elected by the people, we can only place value on the work of the previously chosen monarchs by the voters of Toronto.
As for loyal supporters, Morgan had many – she’s all over the internet. However, knowone really knows if these people even voted. That’s an important point. Clearly, more people voted for Thelma by a smaller margin (from what I hear). Did anyone think about that while they complain like children ? Don’t boycott TICOT because your friend did not win. That’s childish. Support it because of what it does and who it helps.
JW
October 24th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
I’m quite taken aback by the vitriol in these posts! I can certainly appreciate the disappointment of Morgan James’ many, many fans and supporters. I am particularly sympathetic to those who may have been anticipating their own titles and positions within the Court, if their candidate had been successful.
However, what no one has yet commented on is the fact that the election of TICOT Monarchs is a *community vote*, well-scrutinized by representatives of both candidates AND the College of Monarchs (a supporting group within the Court whose membership consists of past TICOT Monarchs). The votes were tabulated by an independent third party. This year that tabulator was a senior representative from the Bank of Montreal. The election results were sealed and NO ONE saw the tabulation until the envelope was opened on Coronation night.
Morgan James also ran for Empress last year and was unsuccessful in that bid. This year’s results must have been a very difficult experience. However, Morgan has always conducted herself publicly with grace and style. Her fans and supporters should take a page from Morgan’s book and try to muster a little decorum themselves. Their awful harping, appallingly vicious personal attacks and unfounded accusations do not reflect well on the object of their affection.
In the end, the outcome of the election stands. Sabotaging the fundraising efforts of Reign XXIII will do nothing to improve the situation. I am confident that Morgan James will continue to demonstrate her commitment to the principles of the International Court System by supporting the fundraising efforts of the Court, making very popular appearances at TICOT events and in every other way demonstrating her mature perspective on the role-playing game that IS The Imperial Court of Toronto.
In the short 3 years that I have been a Member of TICOT, I have always focused my efforts and attention on what I perceived to be the best interests of the organization. I’ve been careful to avoid any engagement in the rough-and-tumble personal politics that mars so many ICS groups. I choose to be involved in the work of the Imperial Court of Toronto because I believe in the purpose of the organization… Fundraising, Unity and Nonsense (F.U.N.)!
Morgan, if you’re reading this, PLEASE try to communicate the right stuff to your fans. They obviously have much respect for you, even as they embarass themselves with these awful postings. I know you have strong principles in these matters… see if you can get through to some of these rabid naysayers and help to heal the breach. Please.
October 25th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
The Imperial Court of Toronto has just completed its’ most successful fundraising year in recent history, raising over $57,000 for the PWA Foundation and The 519 Community Center. In their most recent election, Candidate Thelma, who has been The Treasurer of The Organization for the past four years, as well as a fundraiser, received 60% of the Community Vote. No election irregularities were reported. She was supported by PLAY and myself personally because I believe she was the best candidate. This was not a beauty contest.
October 26th, 2009 at 9:09 am
How can you claim to be a “community vote” when voting is held at one location on Church Street? A “community vote” would have seen polling stations around the GTA, not just in the old Gay Village.
October 26th, 2009 at 9:10 am
Thelma as the best candidate? Please. I will wait and see what she does for investititue, which is being held opposite the MLT weekend of events. I know they’re not your target audience but groups should work together.
October 26th, 2009 at 9:17 am
Mychol, I don’t see how these comments reflect on Morgan at all. What they do reflect on is the truth of this situation, no matter how unpalatable you may find it to be. Morgan played by the rules. It is well known that Thelma and George did not.
Why were the ballots counted by a bank official – a bank where George recently moved his business, by the way – and not by a lawyer?
Were there impartial scrutineers present to make sure that the votes were not tampered with? And no, George doesn’t count. Why should the chair of an organization be able to actively campaign for and support one candidate over another when he or she is supposed to be impartial?
Why would people come forward to say they had been given bar tabs to vote for Thelma, or been threateded if they did not vote a certain way? It isn’t the kind of thing people would generally admit to unless it was true and they felt bullied.
I agree that the PWA Foundation should not be penalized. That’s why people should donate directly – to ensure that no money goes mysteriously missing.
October 26th, 2009 at 10:48 am
Ladies and gentlemen,
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance…
Remember that first and foremost, the Court System is a game and a hobby.
As long as we have a roof over our heads, food in our bellies, good health and friends & family who love us, we are all blessed. There are so many who do not have those things.
I, for one, am very, very proud of the campaign that my team put together. I want to think that I remained true to myself as a person throughout the campaign & Coronation. There are probably things that I could have done differently; different voting blocks I could have gone after or different alliances I could have made but in the end, I had to remain who I am and not compromise my morals or beliefs. Maybe this hurt my chances, maybe it didn’t.
True, the election results were not what I had hoped for based on the amount of work that I had put into campaigning and TICOT and the feedback I received during the campaign. However, the ability to make the best out of a disappointing situation is all that anyone can really do, and it is what I intend to do moving forward.
Thank you to all who have supported me and continue to support me in my decision to take a drag vacation. The amount of love and respect you have shown me is overwhelming and make me realize how lucky i am to play this game with such caring individuals. I look forward to continuing to be involved in the international court system (ICS).
The responses on this blog were brought to my attention over the weekend.
I want to reiterate that the drag and community service I do is for FUN and ENJOYMENT! It’s a way to give back to the community in which I live, work and play. I am blessed to have a fantastic life, a loving husband and a great support network of family and friends.
Not everyone is so lucky – and that’s where the community service comes in for me.
I put a lot of work and dedication into the ICS and TICOT for many years, noticeably stepping up my involvement in Reigns 21 and 22. I am a firm believer that everyone can make this world a little better. There is so much in the world that we can’t control but a little kindness and hard work can ease the burden for others.
My personal and professional lives are taking my in exciting new directions, and I look forward to what the future brings.
I would never presume to tell others how to act or think. We are all free to make our own choices. But please remember this: put out into the universe what you hope to get back from it.
I said it Coronation Night and I will say it again – congratulations Thelma on your Ascension as Empress. May you enjoy your Reign.
Peace and love,
Morgan James
October 26th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
For the record, I was never once coerced or threatened to vote for Thelma nor was any of our staff. I was asked to help host a campaign show for her which it was my pleasure to do. Assumptions that customers were “paid off” to vote for Thelma are ridiculous and no one has been barred from the bar for being “suspicious” of voting the other way. How bizarre. Has it occurred to anyone that maybe we knew Thelma well enough and believed in her enough to want to help get her elected? Why wouldn’t we? Thelma is a wonderfull person with a kind heart who has scrutinized and accounted for every penny raised in the last four years as TICOT Treasurer. That is an accomplishment in itself. Comments being written on this page are vile and seem suspiciously similar. The musings of someone who has a real axe to grind with George. So sad. George has been a big supporter and I would even say architect of the community we know today. He has employed hundreds of bar staff and thousands of drag queens over the years, many who remember him fondly. Unfortunately there’s always those few who allow there bitterness to stear their actions. I’m just shocked that a supposedly well respected business like Gay Guide Toronto would allow this sort of vicious banter to take place on it’s pages. Blog or no blog. As for the two intelectuals hosting that morning show on proudfm, if they cared so much about what goes on in the community they’d know all about TICOT and they’d also know that it takes more than baking muffins and having a pretty face to be an effective Empress.
October 26th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
In response to the most recent comment that states surprise that GayGuideToronto.com would allow the types of comments that have appeared regarding this post, I would like to clarify that while I, personaly, don’t agree with some of the ways in which GayGuideToronto.com readers have chosen to express their feelings on the matter being discussed, the very point of GGT – and indeed the essence of everything I do with any and all of my media platforms – is to encourage conversation, discussion, and the exchange of ideas. Especially when most times the dialogue that is happening is between people who would never normally sit down at talk together.
We will never be a company that decides on who can say what – it goes against our very modus operandi.
Peace and love.
October 26th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
Can’t we all just get along?
October 26th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
Steve, if George is the architect of the community as you say, if he cares so very much, it’s certainly surprising that he wouldn’t be more supportive of an honest and open election process. No one except George’s employees (ahem) believe that this WAS open and honest.
And … if Thelma is as beloved as you say, well, I for one can’t wait to see all her supporters come out to help fund raise. My guess is that it’s not going to happen. Their “support” for her and for TICOT begins and ends at the end of a bar tab.
October 27th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Let it tank or let it succeed. Take your toys and play in another sandbox. Move on.
October 28th, 2009 at 9:47 am
“This was not a beauty contest.” No kidding. Or a talent contest. Or a personality contest.
October 28th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
I have been reading the comments posted here about over the last few weeks. On one hand I can understand why people are venting their frustrations that their choice Miss Morgan James, was not crowned. On the other hand I have to say that it really upsets me that adults are bickering and being down right insulting to other members of a so called “community” either it be TICOT or Toronto LGBT people in general.
I have been directly involved within the Court system but thanks to friends who are, I have been able to watch many court shows since 2007. As for “Morgan James” I think she is fantastic ! I saw first hand the passion and commitment she had (and still does have) for the court and it’s charities. This is why I too, am disappointed. Morgan” is on par with many artists I’d consider “top notch”. She exuberates energy and passion into each and every performance.
However, “Themla” won. So I think it’s time to move forward, as many people mentioned. Let’s not get to involved with the results and instead be as cordual as “Morgan” did herself by congratulate “Themla” and wishing her success for Reign 23.
I hope that the people who were so involved with the election this year are also as committed to supporting the charities.
I’d also like to add that I learned from Morgan that the Toronto chapter has donated to “S.O.Y” (Supporting Our Youth.) very generously over the years. I was very impressed to hear this because at the age of twenty-one, as a shy young gay man just coming out had to turned to S.O.Y for guidance. “S.O.Y “gave me guidance and help with “coming out” and helped me accept myself for who I was. While some might consider this to have been a small act of generosity, I considered it a large help during a tough time with “coming out” and understanding the gay community.
Why am I sharing this story ? To show you that the court impacted me in a big way with their donations to “S.O.Y”. Reign 22, headed by Emperor Hunter and Empress Tiffany raised near $60,000 for THE PWA & THE 519 Community Centre, think about all the people who benefited fro their huge donations! Now that the election is over, isn’t this what we should be focusing on right now and for the rest of the year ? Good luck to all who are involved with TICOT, from those greeting patrons at the door of an event to those who are running it ! Also, thanks to Shaun Proulx Media for letting us have a spot to “blog” our thoughts on this.
Derek
November 2nd, 2009 at 5:23 pm
Mr Roseland is a Play employee. Nuff said.
November 8th, 2009 at 10:33 am
Tuned into Breakfast in Bed on Proud FM last Thursday, mostly to hear what Thelma would have to say about her plans for this year. It was the best interview Thelma has ever given, she was well-spoken, coherant and had such wonderful plans for this year……oh wait… that was my imagination because THELMA DID NOT EVEN SHOW UP!!! Way to represent the organization! I am sure his spin doctors will have a wonderful excuse for him (swine flu anyone?) The truth remains that he should have been there and if he was ill or unable to make it, he should have had the common decency to call and tell the hosts that he would not be there. It is called responsibility Thelma! You wanted the job, you got the job, now do the damn job.
TICOT elections for the Executive were held this past week and it is a new year without George Pratt at the helm of the Executive. The Chair of the Executive is a man who plans to run for Emperor himself within a few years and is Thelma’s Imperial Crown Prince. It will be interesting to watch his moves this year, and then see which bar supports him in his bid for Emperor. I hope he is not just another Pratt puppet.
Speaking of Pratt puppets… As I read Mr. Roselands comments here I was struck by a couple of his statements. First, he is an employee of Mr. Pratt, so even IF he had been threatened or coerced, it would not be in his best interest to say so on a public forum. I know Mr. Roseland to be a very intelligent man and cannot see him putting his job at risk in such a way. Second, I cannot understand how Mr. Roseland can make comments about the financial dealings of TICOT and whether or not there has never been a penny missing. Does Mr. Roseland have a crystal ball? He is not on the TICOT Executive, but perhaps this information was simply passed on from someone who was…Because I have heard the opposite. Just because everything looks one way on paper does not mean that it is all on the up and up. I have heard stories about one amount being announced as being raised at shows and another being deposited. And since Treasurer is a one person job there is room for things like this to happen. There is no one scrutinizing the announcement and the deposit and the “I miscounted” excuse can only be used so many times. Perhaps one could say that rumours always abound and should be discounted but it seems to me when an organization is dealing with amounts of money like Mr. Pratt has announced there should be a better system, one with checks and balances, one where there is more than one person is in charge of all the money. And finally, we are all entitled to our opinions and just because Mr. Roseland does not like what people are saying does not mean that they do not have a right to say it. Attacking the blog and the “two intelectuals” (sic) on Breakfast in Bed only perpetuates the belief that not agreeing with Mr. Pratt (or his followers) means you must be silenced.
It would be very interesting to copy the names of the people supporting Mr. Pratt on this blog and watch in the years to come how many run for TICOT leadership and which have Mr. Pratt’s support.
This past year, Bank of Montreal became a corporate sponsor of TICOT, they donated a nice chunk of money due to the hard work of George Pratt getting them as a sponsor. Then, TICOT moves their bank accounts from TDCanadaTrust to Bank of Montreal…. then.. Bank of Montreal becomes the vote counting body (when before now it was always done by a lawyer). It stinks of inpropriety.
I suggest that everyone who supports Thelma joins the Yahoo Groups TICOT mailing list. Take a look through the archives and check out the power that George Pratt had over this election. The dirty, dirty statements made by Thelma supporters, statements that were questioned by the membership and kiboshed by Mr. Pratt (this is all online in the archives, it is not rumour or innuendo.. it is there in black and white). Then take a look at the emails sent out by Thelma, written by either her cat or a dyslexic, illiterate 8 year old relation of hers. I have to admit, the posts have improved dramatically in the past week so I guess the position of “Official Ghost Writer for the Empress” has been filled.
November 10th, 2009 at 11:14 am
the answer is simple – just don’t support the group. if you feel the need to support the charity, do it directly. keep the backstabbing and drama to a minimum. there’s so much negativity about the GLBT community, we don’t need to fight amongst ourselves.
December 7th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
I listened to Breakfast in Bed on Proud FM last Thursday, mostly to hear what Thelma would have to say about why she missed the last scheduled vist. Surprise, surprise, surprise – she was a no show. It’s a shame that this group is losing chances to promote itself. I see that Gay Guide Toronto is a sponsor on the poster for the Trillium Xmas show – that has a big picture of Thelma and her Emperor on it and NOT the Trillium pageant winners who are hosting/producing the show. Guess someone felt the need to remind the patrons who the Empress is again this year.