Frequently Asked Questions:
(1) What are you?
We are a troupe of queer nuns who are called to spread as much joy as possible and to remove the systemic guilt that people feel for being who they are; we take vows to this end. We are (pending as) an incorporated society in Alberta and are an official mission of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.
(2) Why are you doing this?
We recognize that in a climate that is politically cold as well as physically cold our community needs the warmth of our touch and the glamour of our magick to stand with those who have been pushed to the margins and work towards a better life for our community. We have a flare for dramatics, a penchant for queer spirituality, and a heart for community service. No other vein would allow us to serve in such a way.
(3) Are you making fun of nuns?
Absolutely NOT! We are not making fun of nuns –WE ARE NUNS: we take vows as nuns do, live in community as nuns do, and serve as nuns do (it’s important to note here that we don’t take vows of celibacy, poverty, or obedience as nuns do – that makes us different in a spicy kind of way).
Second, I would say that we are queer nuns not catholic nuns. As we recognize there are nuns in Buddhism, Sikhism, Hinduism, and Christianity. We live dedicated lives within the vein of Queer Spirituality –an ecumenical and eclectic mix of people from all walks of life and all religions.
Third, I would say we represent a group of queer people who are learning DEEPLY from womyn who are religious about community service and driving social justice. So no, we aren’t’ making fun of anyone but we do emulate what we know about this vocation.
(4) What do you do?
Some of us go to political rallies to raise consciousness about social justice issues. Some of us raise money for local charities. Some of us perform street theatre. Some of us volunteer at local non-profit organizations. In all our work can be summed up as FUN raising, FUND raising and CONSCIOUSNESS raising.
(5) Why do you wear that makeup?
The tradition of wearing white face began because the sisters didn’t want to reveal their true identity during politically tumultuous times. Now we understand it to be a reflection of the magick within us. We paint our faces to draw out our inner sister power and we use it as a means of drawing out people's inner truths.
(6) Why don’t you shave?
We’re men in dresses – not drag queens. We like our legs and faces hairy because it emphasizes the work of ‘gender fucking’.