Who are the Sisters?

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence® is a leading-edge Order of queer nuns. Since our first appearance in San Francisco on Easter Sunday, 1979, the Sisters have devoted ourselves to community service, ministry and outreach to those on the edges, and to promoting human rights, respect for diversity and spiritual enlightenment. We believe all people have a right to express their unique joy and beauty and we use humor and irreverent wit to expose the forces of bigotry, complacency and guilt that chain the human spirit.

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Sister Penny Costal Profile Page
Sister Penny Costal
Sister Penny Costal
Positions

Essential

"The Mississippi Nun" Fully professed October 1994
High Priest Toot'n Poop'n, Sister Penny Lane, His Most Imperial Majesty, Emperor XXXIII John-Richard, The Bare Hug Emperor Of The San Francisco Imperial Court
Sister Lily White Superior Posterior, now known as Sister Lilith of the Valley of the Shadow of Death. Her Mother, my grandmother, is Sister Vicious Power Hungry Bitch
We did not have this when I joined but I wish to recognize a few Sisters that helped me on my path. I respect and love them very much. They were truly big Sisters to me. Sister Hellen, Sister Flatchulina, Sister Roma, and Sister Dana
I have had the pleasure of bringing 4 wonderful Daughters into our folds. In order of their Fully Professed Status: Sisters' Mary Mae, Oletta, Mary Juanita, and Flora. My Granddaughters are Sisters' Mary Ralph, Connie, and Maudlin.

Inspiration

My desire to help make the world a better place started when I was 8 years old in my childhood home, Memphis, Tennessee. I was watching the Jerry Lewis Telethon and decided that I wanted to help out. I got a bucket and went door-to-door soliciting donations without my mother’s knowledge. My mother was so impressed when I brought back my Halloween pumpkin filled to the top with money, that she decided I needed a reward. She bought us tickets to a fundraiser called "Shower of the Stars" a Danny Thomas fundraiser for Saint Jude's Hospital in Memphis. Frank Sinatra and his Rat Pack, including Sammy Davis, Jr. (he sang the Candy Man!), Tote Fields, Phyllis Diller, Nancy Sinatra, and Jerry Lee Lewis... and I can't even remember the rest. We were on the Third row. I haven't been the same since!

I don’t believe in religion, only spirituality. Anyone can have it and you don’t need a building with staff to tell you how to do it. Use your own minds people! Worship your own way and stop giving money to these institutions that use your money the wrong way. Take that money and help someone out.

I live my life to help those in need and try everyday to make everyone feel like they belong.

"It's what you learn after you know everything that counts!" Zen Buddhist Saying

Going to church doesn't make you a Christian anymore than standing in a garage makes you a car.

Resume

This is a partial list of what I have done. I have listed the one’s I am most proud of.

Currently

  • Chairnun of the Awards Committee

Formerly

  • Teenie Queen Pageant for under aged transgender and questioning youth
  • Wig Drive for The American Cancer Societies' "Look good, Feel Better" program
  • Penny’s Penny Drive for Aids Emergency Fund’s “Every Penny Counts”
  • Formal habit design in 1995
  • Original wimple design for the Russian River Sisters
  • SF liaison for formation of Los Angeles Sisters
  • Organized, designed and helped construct our parade float that won Best Float in 2001
  • Guest Speaker for the Human Sexuality class at UCSF and San Francisco State Read names of AIDS
  • Victims broadcast at the Mall in DC for The AIDS Quilt viewing
  • Stonewall Rebellion 25th Anniversary in New York

Pre-Sister

  • Volunteer for Sister Roma’s Beer Bust at The Eagle in 1989, my first interaction with Sisters
  • Assisted Sister Lilly and Sister Vicious at the AB101 demonstration

President 1997

Vice President/Novice Mistress 1995 and 1996

Board of Directors/Member at Large 1995, 1996, 1997, and 2001

Co-Chair to the First International Conclave in Paris 1997

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The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation (federal tax ID number: 94-3032120) | "Go forth and sin some more!”
All content, except where noted, is © The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Inc. | "Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence", "perpetual indulgence", the "laughing nun" logo, the "25 Years to Life" logo, "REVIVAL Bingo logo" are trademarks or registered trademarks of The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Inc.