DENVER — The LGBTQ+ community in Denver is mourning the loss of a beloved drag queen who recently died of cancer.
Janelle St. Christopher, an influential figure in the community for decades, dedicated her life to promoting love and acceptance within the community. Janelle, whose off-stage name was Christopher Jaramillo, passed away on Saturday, June 1, at the age of 53.
"Chris wasn’t shy… He wanted to be who he was. If it was Janelle, St. Christopher, or Chris, that's who he was going to be,” said his brother, Adrian Gomez.
Since Saturday, Gomez said the family has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support for his brother.
“We have so many people reaching out to us, flowers coming to the house… He left a legacy,” Gomez said, tears in his eyes.
Jaramillo's story began in the 1990s when he joined the Navy. In a short memoir written before his death, Jaramillo recalled hearing stories at boot camp about people being arrested and imprisoned for being gay. “How could I be a prisoner of my life?” Jaramillo wrote.
After completing basic training, he left the Navy with a vow to live openly and authentically, which led to the discovery of his true self.
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Brandi Roberts, a fellow drag queen, remembers meeting Jaramillo in 1992, when he was exploring the world of drag. Roberts introduced him to the Imperial Court of the Rocky Mountain Empire.
"Once she started as Janelle St. Christopher, she jumped into the drag scene and became engulfed in it," Roberts said.
In 1995, Janelle won Ms. Gay Pride of Colorado and was named a grand marshal of PrideFest. Alongside her peers, she helped raise funds for PrideFest through drag shows, long before corporate sponsorships became common.
A few decades later Lamar Cooper, another close friend and drag queen, recalled meeting Janelle for the first time, in awe of her confidence.
"I was pretty scared. But I definitely thought, wow, look at how she handles herself, and the charisma that she has, just hoping one day that will possibly be me," Cooper said.
Janelle became the Empress of the Imperial Court of the Rocky Mountain Empire. During her year she raised thousands of dollars for various charities, including animal shelters, women's shelters, and LGBTQ+ youth programs.
"We've lost a huge part of what we are, what we stand for, what we have been the face for," Cooper, who also served as Empress said. "But the one thing that Janelle did leave us is an avenue for us to continue to grow on what she's already helped to build.”
Janelle touched the lives of many. More than 300 people are expected to attend her celebration of life ceremony this Sunday.
"I think Chris taught a lot of people to be who you are," Gomez said, reflecting on his brother's influence.
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