Committee forwards resolution permitting Imperial Council to use city seal for 50th‑anniversary gala

The committee voted to forward a resolution that would authorize the Imperial Council of San Francisco to use the official city and county seal for its 50th‑anniversary gala and to declare Feb. 15 the council’s anniversary day.

Supervisor Scott Wiener, who introduced the measure, described the Imperial Council as "one of the core community institutions in the San Francisco LGBT community" and recounted its history of fundraising for HIV services, breast cancer research and other charities. "This is a big deal and not very common, for us to authorize the use of the city seal," Wiener said.

Clerk of the Board staff explained legal limits on seal use and the administrative code provision that designates the clerk as the seal's custodian (administrative code §1.6). The clerk said the seal was originally created in 1858 and reestablished in 1900, has been authorized for limited uses in the past and cannot be used for commercial merchandise without specific approval.

Several Imperial Council leaders testified in support. John Weber, the organization’s chair, and JP So to, the reigning emperor, described decades of charitable work; Donna Sachet and other past and current leaders said the organization has raised substantial funds for local nonprofits. Testimony emphasized the civic service and long history of the court.

After public comment, President Hsu and other supervisors praised the organization’s contributions. The committee accepted a Clerk‑proposed whereas clause amendment and, without objection, agreed to forward the resolution to the full Board of Supervisors with a positive recommendation.

The committee did not place additional restrictions beyond the clerk’s proposed language on dignified use and limits on wearable or for‑sale items; staff said it would work with the clerk to finalize the whereas clause language before full‑board consideration.