Meet The Sisters Of Perpetual Indulgence San Franciscos Order Of Queer Nuns

For over 40 years, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence has been spreading its unique brand of ministry around San Francisco, the United States and the world. Culture Trip talks to some of the sisters whose dedication to their community is only matched by their dedication to extravagant make-up and razor-sharp wit.

The Culture of Pride celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.

On Easter Sunday, 1979, Sister Vicious Power Hungry Bitch, Sister Missionary Position and Sister Roz Erection took their first walk around the Castro. Dressed in second-hand habits (once the property of a Roman Catholic convent in Iowa), they were looking to shake things up. This was at a time when so-called Castro clones – gay men who favoured a hyper-masculine style and attitude, modelled on an idealized working-class man – ruled the neighborhood, and a “conformist atmosphere” pervaded. Needless to say, they turned a few heads.

Every Easter, Sister Roma hosts the Hunky Jesus Contest in Dolores Park, San Francisco

For over 40 years, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, the order of queer and trans nuns these three trailblazers helped found, has been spreading its ministry across San Francisco, the United States and the world. The order’s mission is to “promulgate universal joy and expiate stigmatic guilt,” and the sisters pursue this through a combination of fundraising, campaigning, community outreach and events.

As a “ministry of presence,” the sisters are available to all those who have need of them, and, while they might have unconventional means of delivering their healing message, preferring, as they do, caustic wit to prayers and psalms, their goal is always the same: to look after their communities. Frequently, and certainly more frequently than many who see the sisters at peak fabulosity, having fun and taking selfies at parties, might realize, this requires them to be educators. This can mean standing at the front of a classroom, opening the minds of high-school and college students, or informing some hottie at the club about the dangers of unsafe sex.

A sister walks in the Fremont Solstice Parade in Seattle

The local branch of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence marches at the Toronto Pride Parade

Sisters participate in the Global Marijuana March in Paris

While the San Francisco House is referred to as the Mother House, the order is a strictly non-hierarchical organization. Each house – be it the Convent of the Thoroughly Bred and Breaded in Kentucky, the Abbey of Divine Queefs in Baltimore, the House of Common Sluts in London or even the Order of the Moist Brollie in British Columbia – has its own set of rules and habits (pun very much intended).

What joins them all, sister to sister, order to order, is a commitment to their shared values and to their beloved communities. Oh, and their parting blessing: “Go forth and sin some more!”
Pride 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in New York City and the beginnings of the international Pride movement. To celebrate, Culture Trip spotlights LGBTQ pioneers changing the landscape of love around the world. Welcome to The Culture of Pride.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

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