Abbreviated History of the Order of the Knights of Malta
 

  

History of the Knights of Malta, Yosemite Chapter

  
 

The Knights have a long and respected history of charitable works. With 8500 members in more than 60 countries, the order is more active and widespread than at any time in its 900 year history. Based on the fundamental principles of knighthood, the eight-pointed cross of the Hospitallers serves as a symbol for international peace and charity in a tumoltous world.

The order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes, and of Malta upheld the chivalrous codes of Christianity in it: care of the sick and homeless, the protection of the weak and defenseless, and the belief in regarding womanhood with romantic devotion and respect, without whom civilization and progress would not be possible.

 Determined that their headquarters would be in Cypress, the order built a hospital on the road to Jerusalem. This was done because those places associated with the life and death of Christ were revered and honored, and succeeding generations would wish to visit. The order was secure in Europe with and holdings, homes and secure incomes that would preserve them, monetarily, for centuries.

Out of a turbulent period emerged the two orders of St. John, the Hospitallers and the Templars. The Hospitallers had their main goal firmly set and held to their vows to be servants to the sick. The Templars, after some unsuccessful raids on Palestine in 1300s, were summoned before King Philip of France in 1307. They were charged with the serious crimes of blasphemy and heresy. The charges centered on the Templars' initiation ceremony, where the candidate was asked to deny Christ three times, spit on the cross three times, and to give a triple kiss to the officer that had admitted them: once on the buttocks, once on the genitals and once on the mouth. They were accused of homosexual practices, all these charges however will never be resolved .

By order of the king all property and possessions of the Templars were given over to the Hospitallers, including the ownership of the state of Rhodes.

Since its conception the sovereign military and hospitaller order of St. John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes, and of Malta have upheld their charter, always remaining the suppliers of aid in time of disaster and conflict. This includes both world wars, the Korean conflict and Vietnam conflict, often being imprisoned and killed but supplying medical help to both sides without question.
 

 

 Like this legendary order of St. John, the Knights of Malta is an adult social club that is dedicated to community service and having a good time while doing it. We were formed in 1972 by Marshall C. in Seattle and since have welcomed many new chapters.

The Knights of Malta, Yosemite Chapter is a local gay levi/leather social club, one chapter of - currently - three (Jet Chapter - Seattle; Yosemite Chapter - Fresno; Dogwood Chapter - Vancouver B.C.) Our purposes are to be a levi/leather, social - charitable men and women's club (originally beginning as a men's club only), each chapter working for the charity of their choice in their respective city. Chapters have been closed in the past for lack of giving to charity. Each chapter must also be incorporated in their respective states. Our charity in Fresno has been C.V.A.T. The Knights have donated to the R.A.S. house refrigerator fund, and the C.V.A.T./L.A.M.P. project; Saint Agnes Medical Center Golf Tournament; Mother's Day AIDS Run; Holy Cross, and others.

The Yosemite chapter - Knights of Malta was began as the Central Valley Motorcycle Club (CVMC) Chapter of the Knights of Malta in 1981 and has transformed several times over the years into the club it is today. Virgil Wigley, owner of the Red Lantern has been a sponsor since the inception of the club and is an honorary member. The founding members of our chapter were Gene Divine and Lee Bettinger.

In the past, once each year, and lately every two years, all chapters would meet in a different K of M city for our convention or "Assembly". It is a weekend of parties, shows, brunches, tours, etc., all open to the public except for one meeting of all chapters to discuss our problems - International Charter: what each chapter is doing for their part as a charitable club and things of that nature. Assembly is always held over the Labor Day weekend. When there's no Assembly, the clubs meet in different cities (even those without K of M chapters!) for a more informal Gathering.

 

 

  
 

 

  
 


History of the Knights of Malta chapters
 

  


History of the Knights of Malta Assemblies

  
 

  • 1972 - current  Jet Chapter (Seattle WA) est. May 1972

  • 1972 – 1980    Black Rose (Portland OR) est. July 1972

  • 1974 – 2001    Western (Reno NV)

  • 1975 – 1979    49er’s (San Francisco CA)

  • 1975 – 1994    Stockman (Denver CO)

  • 1976 – 1979    Nanook (Anchorage AK)

  • 1979 – 1987    Empire (Spokane WA)

  • 1980 -  current  Dogwood (Vancouver BC)

  • 1981 – 1988    Central Valley MC (Fresno CA) changed name to Sun Chapter in 1988

  • 1981 – 1994    Beehive (Salt Lake UT)

  • 1981 – 1996    Cascade (Portland OR)

  • 1985 – 1987    Pony Express (Sacramento CA)

  • 1988 – 1990    Sun (Fresno CA) changed name to Yosemite Chapter in 1990

  • 1990 - current  Yosemite (Fresno CA)

  • 1992 – 2000    Cable Car (San Francisco CA)

  • 1994 – 2000    Mother Lode (Modesto CA)

  
  • 1976 Denver CO
  • 1977 Seattle WA
  • 1978 Reno NV
  • 1979 Portland OR
  • 1980 Seattle WA
  • 1981 Spokane WA
  • 1982 Denver CO
  • 1983 Vancouver BC
  • 1984 Fresno CA
  • 1985 Portland OR
  • 1986 Salt Lake City UT
  • 1987 Reno NV
  • 1988 Seattle WA
  • 1989 Denver CO
  • 1990 Vancouver BC
  • 1991 Fresno CA
  • 1992 Portland OR
  • 1993 Reno NV
  • 1994 San Francisco CA
  • 1995 Seattle WA
  • 1996 Modesto CA
  • 1998 Fresno CA
  • 1999 Reno NV (Gathering)
  • 2000 Seattle WA
  • 2001 Fresno CA (Gathering)
  • 2002 Vancouver BC
  • 2003 Reno NV (Gathering)
  • 2004 Fresno CA
  • 2005 Portland, OR (Gathering)
  • 2006 Seattle, WA
  • 2007 cancelled
  • 2008 Reno, NV (Gathering)
 
 


History of the Founders' Award
 

      
 

In 1992 the founding members (now late) Gene Divine and Lee Bettinger establish the Award for Most Valuable Member of Fresno Knights of Malta. The award is given out annually by then-stepping-down President, if he/she feels someone deserved that honour in the year past.

The recipients of the award include:

  • 1992-3 Royce Brooner

  • 1993-4 Jon Pace

  • 1994-5 Tom Close

  • 1995-6 Loretta Moran

  • 2000-1 Johnny Orosco

  • 2001-2 Kirk C.

  • 2003-4 Kirk C.

  • 2004-5 Sam Cisneros

  • 2005-6 Greg Lucas

  • 2006-7 Paris Nicole

  • 2007-8 Robert Griffin

Kevin presenting Kirk with the award in 2004

  

Kirk receiving the award in 2002

Paris receiving the award from Kevin in 2007