Annals of the Emperors and Empresses of San Francisco:
Emperor XXXVII After Norton Paul Maka Poole, 2009–2010, shares their story
“Annals of the Absolute Emperors and Empresses of San Francisco” is a collection of interviews from Empress Juanita MORE!, who reached out to over fifty San Francisco’s Emperors After Norton and Absolute Empresses of the Imperial Council of San Francisco (ICSF) — one of the longest-running LGBTQI+ nonprofits in the country — to learn about each of their accomplishments and involvements during their reign.
Born and raised in Hilo, Hawai’i, Paul Maka Poole left his hometown in 1999. He has traveled and resided in several cities/states throughout the United States. In his late 20’s, he moved to San Francisco, where he began his involvement working with the LGBTQI+community. Poole was also working one-on-one in the HIV/AIDS Health Care Field with clients, doctors, and medical professionals in San Francisco and New York. Poole is now married to Dean Derby, and they have found their home and planted their roots in Grand Junction, Colorado.
I reached out to Paul Maka Poole Derby to learn more about their accomplishments and involvement during their reign.
Juanita MORE!: What year was your reign as Emperor?
Paul Maka Poole Derby: I reigned as The Winged Blue Diamond of San Francisco from 2009 through 2010
JM!: What led you to run for Emperor?
PD: I ran for Emperor (twice) with high hopes to help our struggling LGBTQI+ Youth. I worked for a nonprofit organization called the Men of Color Program at UCSF Parnassus, and after both assisting and helping HIV+ people of all walks of life, it made me pursue achieving the title of Emperor After Norton of San Francisco.
JM!: What was your proudest accomplishment?
PD: My proudest accomplishment was putting together, with the support of many previous Emperors and Empresses, a local fundraiser, which has since raised thousands of dollars for the Matthew Shepard Foundation.
JM!: What nonprofits did you support during your reign?
PD: Some of the nonprofits supported during my reign were: Lyric; Larkin Street Youth Services; Equality California, Maitri, Project Open Hand, Men of Color Program, The Harvey Milk High School in New York; and The Matthew Shepard Foundation
JM!: What are your hopes for the future of the Court?
PD: My hope for the Court’s future is that members remain humble and passionate about supporting all communities. I also hope there will be more ICSF exposure to all communities. Through my travels, I learned the Imperial Council is still unheard of; giving us, as an organization, more visibility in all communities will be beneficial through the years ahead.
To keep up with Paul’s work, you can follow the Emperor After Norton on his social media handles:
Facebook: @PaulMakaDerby
Instagram: @PaulMakaDerby
Twitter: @PaulMakaDerby
TikTok: @MakaDerby
ICSF Facebook:@TheImperialCouncilOfSanFranciscoInc
ICSF Instagram: @icsf1965
ICSF Twitter: @CouncilSan
ICSF Website: www.imperialcouncilsf.org
To learn more about the Imperial Council of San Francisco, visit imperialcouncilsf.org. Please visit the Imperial Council of San Francisco’s website to donate to the reigning Monarchs Charity Fund.
