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The Life Story of Pioneering Trans Performer Sir Lady Java Is Coming To the Silver Screen: WATCH

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Sir Lady Java, who also went by Lady Java, is a pioneering American transgender rights and nightlife performer, who was a staple of Los Angeles and Hollywood nightlife in the 1950s and 60s.

Java shared the stage with the likes of Sammy Davis Jr, Redd Foxx, Lena Horne, Richard Pryor, and James Brown until the LAPD decided to shut her down in 1967 with what was known as “Rule Number 9,” according to Deadline.

The targeted ordinance banned any “impersonation by means of costume or dress a person of the opposite sex.” Picketing local venues and linking up with the ACLU, Sir Lady Java took the cops and the city all the way to the California Supreme Court.

Pose star Hailie Sahar and Genius: Aretha director Anthony Hemingway (photo below) teamed up to make the film.

“I was fighting for a man to have the right to wear what they wanted to wear, and I won,” Sir Lady Java says in the video below.

Good Trouble alum Sahar has signed on to play her – and Sir Lady Java, now 77, is ecstatic.

The targeted ordinance banned any “impersonation by means of costume or dress a person of the opposite sex.” Picketing local venues and linking up with the ACLU, Sir Lady Java took the cops and the city all the way to the California Supreme Court.

“I was fighting for a man to have the right to wear what they wanted to wear, and I won,” Sir Lady Java says.

Jayce Baron posted on Instagram Wednesday, “???????? BREAKING! Screaming worldwide, “CONGRATULATIONS!” I’m so proud of all the hard work you’ve put into this. #SirLadyJava is going to be a masterpiece and can’t wait to see you in the Producer’s Chair! History in the making. Do her proud ???? #RepresentationMatters”

Read the full Deadline announcement here.

 

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