Meet your Oklahoma ICAO Empress 17
Trans woman serves community in leadership role
- by Robin Dorner
Editor in Chief
LaShay DiMarco finds home and community through involvement in the Imperial Court of All Oklahoma (ICAO).
“After years of involvement throughout other chapters, I found ICAO to be home,” said DiMarco. “I wanted to take the skills I’ve learned to help this amazing organization grow to so much more.”
On April 5 of this year, DiMarco was crowned as Empress 17 by the ICAO. She had been part of the court system for 13 years now and of Oklahoma’s chapter since halfway through Regin 15.
“Before I ran for Empress, I prepared by attending every show and the board meetings,” DiMarco said. “I joined the PNP (policies and procedures) committee and the coronation committee.
She said she joined everything she could to learn more about the group and how it is operated.
“As a candidate, I had to host three events with the other two candidates, and also host a solo non-bar event, so I made sack lunches that were handed out to the homeless community.”
Di Marco said her platform for the Regin isn’t just her, but also her Emperors, Their Imperial Majesties Emperor XVII Hyde VahnHellsing.
“We have a ‘Do Better Be Better’ initiative, which started as educating about the different forms of consent and how consent can change even in the moment. I feel it has grown into so much more as we challenge ourselves and others to see things differently and to have more respect for each other.
“We have been doing weekly [social media] post that goes over the different ways consent is presented and how it can look when it is removed or reconsidered. Consent can always be taken back at any time, no matter who it’s with.
“We also go over things like not shaming those who speak out, and to try to empower people to be advocates for their bodies and what is and isn’t ok to them.”
She said that Their Imperial Majesties, Emperor XVII Hyde VahnHellsing, and she make a great pair.
“What one is missing, the other has. I am lucky to have him as my Emperor,” said Demarco.
“We raise money for other non-profit organizations throughout all of Oklahoma. We do this in many ways, from drag shows to cookouts and online fundraisers at places like the Ledo Lounge in OKC, the Tulsa Eagle, and White Crow. All the dates of events and links to donate are on our website [see link at end of story].”
Before her current Reign, she had never won a crown or competed in a pageant.
“Not unless you count Miss Denver County Fair! Pageants have always interested me, but I hadn’t gone down that road before now.”
DiMarco is a transgender woman.
“I am extremely fortunate to be voted in as the first Trans Empress. Let me tell you, it’s humbling to say the least,” she said. “In a world where my trans siblings are being attacked just for existing, we need more representation in leadership roles now more than ever! This community not only trusts me to do the job, but they believe in me.”
The Empress says she has seen a fire lit in her that she didn’t know was there!
“When I go out, I always remind myself that I represent a safe space for those who may be too scared to be themselves, and I truly hope that I can give them the courage to be true to themselves and live their authentic lives.”
DiMarco said it’s tough to pick out a favorite story so far about being an Empress, and said, “That’s a hard one because there are so many good stories. If I had to pick a favorite, I would say it was naming my Imperial Crown Princess (ICP). I had to put a medallion around her neck. Well, her hair got in the way, so I ended up accidentally pulling her wig off, and it was swinging around above my head like it was a prize. She was rolling in laughter, and I was laughing. Even had one person fall out of their seat from laughing! It was amazing!”
DiMarco was born and raised in Denver, Colorado, and lived there until 2021. She now resides in rural Oklahoma.
We asked Demarco about her partner. She said, “Aww, my Dakota. He’s very quiet and likes to keep to himself. That’s until he warms up to you, and then he’s the biggest goofball you will meet! He is always joking, but he is also always there to help.
All ICAO event dates and donation links are on their website at www.impcourtok.org.
The Gayly online. 11/14/2025 @ 4:37 p.m. CST.