The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Inc.
The Sisters Remain Committed To Supporting Folsom
And Honoring Their Vows To Serve The Community
We are completely focused on supporting the Folsom Street Fair and upholding our vows to promulgate joy and serve the community. — Sister Edith Myflesh, Current Abbess of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Inc.
SAN FRANCISCO — The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence® are proud to continue our long-standing relationship with Folsom Street Events and are thrilled to be working at this year's Folsom Street Fair. The Folsom Street Fair provides a unique and exciting opportunity for all members of the community to express and explore a range of sexual expressions and alternative lifestyles. The Folsom Street Fair is one of Folsom Street Events' largest fundraisers: the revenue generated by the Fair allows Folsom Street Events to give several hundred thousand dollars a year to a wide range of community service groups, enabling them to continue to provide vital services. Additionally, the Fair generates a substantial amount of revenue for both the city of San Francisco and local businesses. The Fair is very much in line with the Sisters' mission: it is an indulgent, sex-positive event that combines fun and fundraising while spreading joy and serving the community.

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence take vows to promulgate joy, expiate stigmatic guilt and serve the community. We are often accused of "mocking" nuns; however, the truth is that we are nuns, albeit non-traditional ones. The Sisters are an all-volunteer organization and its members are dedicated to their individual callings and the vows we take. We donate countless hours to ministering to and educating our community and we distribute thousands of dollars every year to organizations that provide a variety of services for the community. Much like traditional nuns, we raise funds for the needy, educate and inform and minister to those people who have become distant from mainstream religions. Unlike traditional nuns, we do not share a central set of religious beliefs and subscribe to no set dogma.

The Sisters respect and honor all of the various paths that people use to seek the divine and experience the spiritual in an uplifting, joyous way. We are, however, very much anti-dogma, anti-guilt and anti-shame. We do not feel that it is appropriate or constructive to try and force your beliefs on others. And we think that telling other people that your way is the only way is the height of arrogance. Part of respecting other people involves being accepting and open to other peoples' perspectives and beliefs.

Over the years, the Sisters have awarded several thousand dollars in grants to a number of religious-based groups, including Catholic ones. We also actively supported Most Holy Redeemer church, the Castro neighborhood's local Catholic parish, until a very vocal minority of Catholics (most of whom lived outside of California) forced Most Holy Redeemer to cancel our rental agreement with them. Their ignorance about who the Sisters are and how we serve the community cost Most Holy Redeemer a considerable amount of monthly income and had the unfortunate side effect of driving many of their parishioners away from the Church.

We strongly feel that serving the community and making a positive difference in the world is much more important than spewing hate, half-truths and mis-perceptions in a vain attempt to force the world to conform to your idea of what is "right." We encourage everyone to open their hearts and minds and take the time to educate themselves about other people and beliefs, especially ones that are very different from your own. To quote the Book of Matthew, "...love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you..."

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FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information, contact us through the Sisters' Website.
The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Inc.About The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Inc.
The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Inc. is a leading-edge Order of queer nuns. Since their first appearance in San Francisco on Easter Sunday, 1979, the Sisters have devoted themselves to community service, ministry and outreach to those on the edges, and to promoting human rights, respect for diversity and spiritual enlightenment. The Sisters believe all people have a right to express their unique joy and beauty and use humor and irreverent wit to expose the forces of bigotry, complacency and guilt that chain the human spirit.

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation.
"Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence", "perpetual indulgence" and the "laughing nun" logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Inc.