Sir Lady Java

Sir Lady was friends with Little Richard and was also associated with figures such as Sammy Davis Jr, Richard Pryor, and Don Rickles. 

Her inspirations for her performances, which involved singing, dancing, impersonations and comedy, included Josephine Baker, Mae West and Lena Horne. 

In 1967, the LAPD shut down Java’s performances at Redd Foxx’s club, citing a local ordinance prohibiting impersonating a person of the opposite sex. She then picketed the club and the ordinance was struck down after a separate dispute two years later.