I started my time with the court under Reign 46 when I had the honor of meeting Empress 43 Isis De Luna and Empress 48 Phyllis Hole at an event. As we talked more about the organization and what it does, I felt drawn to participate, but was afraid to come out of the shadows. I didn’t always feel welcome in our community, and often remained in the back of the room. As time progressed, I was asked to attend KampOut, and stay at the IDC campsite. What an amazing experience! Although I kept to myself, I got to learn a lot, and felt welcome into a group that didn’t yet know me, but still took the time to say “Hi.” This was my first official time meeting and hanging out with members of the court.

 

Moving into Reign 47, I started to attend more and more events. Emperor 47 Brandonn Dre and Empress 47 Maliyah Menage Martinez encouraged me to perform. Even though it frightened me, I tried. During the “Covid era,” producing videos was the way to go - and actually provided an opportunity to perform without the in-person audience. This was an eye opener to me because I never felt I was a performer. As I continued, I found myself blossoming in front of my friends eyes. The response I received was amazing to hear, and to know that doing what we do had a greater purpose, I knew I found a place where I belonged. With the help of Brandonn with filming and putting my videos together, and also Zack Powerhowz and Chase D’Guise, I felt that I was able to be seen and belong.

 

Reign 48 led me to new levels of involvement. Emperor Zack Powerhowz and Empress 48 Phyllis Hole asked to be Imperial Crown Prince Royale 48. I was ecstatic; and scared. I felt I was not ready or even worthy to be given such a prestigious title, but I accepted.  Once I got invested during Investiture I threw myself into the Reign and wanted to make it as successful as they did. At one point, the ICP had to step away, and I was offered to step up as Imperial Crown Prince. I accepted, knowing I had to do more. I attended all the events, cleaned up, set up, took down and worked my way until the end, including taking a seat on the Board of Directors.

           

During this time I started to travel more and represent. This was an amazing adventure! I had the opportunity to meet wonderful people across the circuit, many that are friends to this day. Later, I decided I wanted to run for a pageant. Ducal Ball was the first pageant I competed in - I had never been on a stage; I had just made videos at this point. But I had challenged myself, and I pushed myself to new limits, and I earned my first pageant titled: Grand Duke 48. From there I got to travel the circuit, represent Fresno, and build a strong connection with both Alameda Ducal and San Francisco Ducal. I also helped implement a successful Warmth Drive; in which we collected warmth items donated, planned a get-together holiday party where members of the court got to sign Christmas Cards, and each recipient would be delivered a warming gift. This was an amazing experience alone, but with all these efforts, I earned the Silver Dove Award from the Monarchs, as well as the Lifetie Title of Imperial Crown Prince 48 for Life.

 

Being voted in as Secretary of the Board of Directors happened after Reign 49 began. I learned a lot from the Board as well as from Emperor Christopher Too and Empress Venus De Carlo. But most importantly, this is the time I finally found out more about myself. I began noticing I was moving more towards embracing myself as Non-Binary/Gender Fluid.  When 4M came around, I wanted to challenge myself again, and I was able to further embrace who I am. My outfits changed; I became more comfortable in performing songs sung by women, and I challenged the idea that a guy needs to dress as a guy and perform guy songs. This was very cathartic - and comforting. And, at the end of the pageant, I won the title of Mr. Gay Central Valley 2023.

 

And now we have arrived to Reign 50. I again had the opportunity to be involved with the court under Emperor Zayn Anthony and Empress Kye-Lah De Leon. I was honored to be asked by Zayn to join his Top 5 as a Baron, and was voted in again by the court to remain on the Board of Directors as Secretary. It was during this Reign that I was finally able to run for Closet Ball. It was the title that I always wanted to run for when I first started with the Imperial Dove Court, but never felt I could do it.  Every year I talked myself out of it saying that I am too old, I am too big, or just not as skilled. But once the theme was announced as “Circus,” Andi Biotik called out, and was brought to the stage. I learned so much during this pageant, and my sponsor, Empress 43 Isis De Luna, was an amazing teacher. And I also learned that I was worth it - worth the wait to become who Andi is, and show that although I might be old and big, I can still work a stage in heels and perform. And I proved it by earning the title of Closet Ball Queen 2024.  I made it - and I am becoming a better person for it, by learning more about myself, and loving myself more.

 

It is time.  Time for me to rise to the occasion.  Time for me to embrace who I am, and be more of myself than I have previously allowed myself to be.  It is time for me to show myself and this court that I am ready to face these challenges and leap toward this high honor.  It’s time for me to break the mold and embrace the Non-Binary/Gender Fluid person I am. It is time to inspire, and show that others, like me, can make a difference.  It is time.

 

As Emprex, I would have the opportunity to show the community that you can truly be who you are, without fear of judgment, and still belong. I would have the opportunity to inspire others to face their insecurities, and to value themselves and their contributions. I would try to be a beacon to those that feel misunderstood or lost. And I would have the opportunity to show others that it is never too late to become who you are, that you don’t have to fit the box, and that there is a place for everyone in the Imperial Dove Court de Fresno.