"A long, long time ago, let's say 1976, in a place very far away (Cedar Rapids, Iowa), a convent of Roman Catholic nuns lent some retired habits to a group of men performing their version of The Sound of Music. Three years later, those habits resurfaced in the streets of San Francisco's Castro district...
 

On Easter Weekend, 1979, during the time of the "Castro Clone," three men went out into the streets to challenge the world. They went in full, traditional habits through the streets of our city and down to the nude beach. One even carried a machine gun and smoked a cigar. They were met with shock and amazement, but captured everyone's interest. Their next appearance was at a softball game where their pompon routine all but stole the show and by the time the Castro Street Fair had rolled around, they were ready to recruit more. In the fall of 1979, Sister Hysterectoria and Reverend Mother went to the first International Faerie gathering and encountered even more men with the calling.

Soon after the San Francisco Order was founded in 1979, the mission of the Sisters — to promulgate universal joy, expiate stigmatic guilt and serve the community — spread far and wide. Houses can be found across the United States and in several countries around the world.

Although the San Francisco House is often referred to as the "Mother House", the Sisters have no central seat of power and no single ruling body. Each House is an autonomous, unique group with its own Habits, culture and rules. Just as the San Francisco House is a reflection of the culture that surrounds it, so too is each House a reflection of its own environment."

---excerpts from the MotherHouse Archives, a taste of which may be found at www.thesisters.org

Jump ahead to the year 2004 when our own Sister Fister rushed forwards with clenched fists and brought the light of the sisterhood to the Sunshine State and Tampa Bay. Making their own appearances roller-skating through the streets at St Pete Pride they were quickly recognized and welcomed by the community.

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are a worldwide order of Queer Nuns that serve our community at large. The sisters do NOT mock nuns, like nuns of the Catholic faith we take vows to serve our community and help those in need very seriously. While we use the nun framework, we are not a religious organization but rather a community service organization. Our membership is open to people of all sexual orientations, genders or blends thereof, religions, spiritual beliefs, race, HIV status, age (usually 21 and up since we tend to minister at adult venues), and the list does go on and on.

Since our founding in 2004 we have evolved and are now recognized by the San Francisco Mother House and the United Nuns Privy Council as a Fully Professed House of the Sisterhood. With that status comes great responsibility to not only serve our community and maintain the (insert adjective here) image of the Sisterhood, but also to have FUN! As the name suggests we DO indulge in life, but more importantly we grant perpetual indulgence to the members of our community who are so often stigmatized and rejected by the outside world.

The Sisterhood has a long and sordid past of activism, debauchery, service to our community and most of all-Love for our Queer community. If you would like to learn more about the Tampa Bay Sisters please explore this site or you can contact us at info@flsisters.org . Even better yet catch us out and about at one of the many events we are involved with throughout the community.

 

Blessed Be