1968 - Mama Bernice’s Sweetheart Ball. This ball was not part of the Imperial Sovereign Rose Court, but is placed here for historical purposes.
Date: February 1968
Place: Pythan Building
1968 – Spring ball
Where: Masonic Temple
When:
Theme: The Days of Wine and Roses
Crowned: Anything Goes Rose Queen VII. [not to be confused by 1970 ball by the same name].
[no photos nor press has been found about this event - will continue to search]
1968 – Fall Ball
Where: Hoyt Hotel Gracie Hansen’s Roaring 20s Room.
When: [photos date stamped October 1968 and some November 1968]
Theme:
Crowned: Kissi Diki crowned Rose Queen VIII. Monarch's History (rosecourt.org) However, per Monarch's History (rosecourt.org) Again, some history is confusing, but it appears Kissy Dickie [[Dickie Myron] was crowned FALL 1968. [confusing press has Kissi Diki winning in 1967 and the Imperial Sovereign Rose Court has him winning in 1968]
Kissy Dickie [Per the 1977 article by W Holman for the Northwest Gay Review in A Gay History, lest it be forgotten. Cited on page 5 of the Special Issue it states “In spring 1967, the Pruitts staged another show at the Neighbors of Woodcraft Hall. The show “April in Portland”, gave Kissy Dickie the title of Queen, which somehow seemed to fit.
Per the Alternative Connection, page 19, October 1991 – A BIT OF COURT HISTORY by Philip Staley: A “Queen of the Ball” would be chosen by audience appreciation, although the judges seemed to hold the wand for the winner. More shows were to follow. While some of these “Queens” prefer to remain anonymous, 1967 chose Kissy Dickie as Queen, the numerical backing of some may come later in this digest.
Photos below are believed to be from that event more photos posted at Venue: Hoyt Hotel
From what we can figure out, it does look like the person in the yellow dress is Kissi Diki
