Craig Hollywood

Craig Hollywood

Emperor XVI Craig Hollywood
Born 1961
Salem, Oregon
Occupation I.T. Project Manager

Craig Hollywood (born Craig L. Williams in 1961) 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.[1] In August 2009, Williams was elected Secretary of Heritage of Pride, Inc.[2] 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.

Introduction

Originally from Oregon, Hollywood became involved in the Imperial Court in the Portland area in 1997 and was elected Mr. Gay Portland XXIII [3][4] 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.[5]

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.[6] The charity ball was a benefit for ACRIA (AIDS Community Research Initiative of America) and Bailey House.[6][7]

Birth and education

Craig Langley Williams was born in Salem, Oregon, in May 1961 to Jim and Donna Williams. He graduated high school from Grants Pass High School, Oregon, in 1979[8][9] after attending South Middle School.[10] He completed his Associate of Arts degree from Rogue Community College in 1981.[9] 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.

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 Jersey.

Community activities

Civil Air Patrol

A member of the Civil Air Patrol 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.

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 television 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 Hawks hockey club of the Western Hockey League.

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

Hollywood with Dame Robin Strasser at the 2008 Night of A Thousand Gowns

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, Hollywood 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. He was known as the Fire Taming Rose Emperor of New York. Craig and B celebrated the conclusion of 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.[11] 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 Hamburg, 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 fighter

He is a certified Fire 1 and Fire 2 firefighter with the Cherry Grove (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[12] 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. [1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Cherry Grove Fire Department http://www.cgfd.org''
  2. ↑ Heritage of Pride, Inc. General Membership Minutes of August 10, 2009
  3. ↑ Biography from Night of a Thousand Gowns 2007 Coronation Ball Journal http://www.imperialcourtny.org/bio_emperor.htm
  4. ↑ List of former Mr. Gay Portland's at http://www.rosecourt.org/main/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13&Itemid=14
  5. ↑ Next Magazine, March 16, 2007 Issue 14.37, page 35
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Night of a Thousand Gowns Journal", The Imperial Court of New York, Inc., 29 March 2008: 1, 25, 28–31
  7. ↑ Press Release: Imperial Court of New York, February 22, 2008
  8. ↑ Toka, Grants Pass High School, 1979, page 176
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Grants Pass (Oregon) High School Alumni Directory 2003, pg 372
  10. ↑ 1976 Trojan Spirit, South Junior High, Grants Pass, Oregon, page 13
  11. ↑ Peerage of the Imperial Court of Massachusetts http://www.impcourt.org/massachusetts/peerage/fem_paris.php
  12. ↑ County of Bergen, Law & Public Safety Institute 2007 Fire Catalog, page 5.Bergen County Fire Academy: Fire Academy Volunteer Evaluators 2007

External sources