readwithpride.com
If you’ve ever been to a major Pride march or a community protest, you’ve likely seen them: the towering cornettes, the heavy whiteface makeup, the glitter-dusted habits, and the unmistakable aura of "holy mischief." They are the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, and since 1979, they’ve been the self-appointed guardian angels: and fabulous thorns in the side of the establishment: of the LGBTQ+ community.
While many see them as a performance troupe or a satirical protest group, the Sisters offer something much deeper: a spiritual home for those the traditional church left behind. Central to this mission is the act of Queer Canonization. In a world that often tries to strip us of our dignity, the Sisters take it back by declaring our own heroes as Saints.
At Read with Pride, we believe in the power of stories to shape our identity. Whether it’s through the pages of MM romance books or the lived history of our elders, recognizing our "saints" is how we build a legacy.
The Birth of an Order: Holy Saturday in San Francisco
The story began on Holy Saturday, April 14, 1979. While the rest of the world was preparing for traditional Easter vigils, Ken Bunch, Fred Brungard, and Bruce Golden donned retired nuns' habits and hit the streets of San Francisco. It wasn't just a costume; it was a reclamation.
The Sisters were founded on a clear, radical mission: to "promulgate universal joy and expiate stigmatic guilt." For many of us growing up in the '70s, '80s, and even today, "guilt" was the primary export of organized religion. The Sisters decided that if the church wouldn't have us, we’d create a better one.
What is Queer Canonization?
In the Catholic tradition, canonization is a long, bureaucratic process that involves miracles and Vatican approval. The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence operate a bit differently. Their canonization is an act of queer activism and spiritual reimagining. They create "saints" out of people who have challenged power structures, fought for our rights, or simply embodied the "queer holy fool."
When the Sisters canonize someone, they aren't saying that person was perfect. They are saying that person was important. They are acknowledging a life lived in service to the community or a spirit that refused to be dimmed. It’s about creating a spiritual lineage that honors resistance, visibility, and care.
The Saint of Radical Queerness: Derek Jarman
Perhaps the most famous example of this occurred in 1991. The Sisters canonized filmmaker and activist Derek Jarman. At the time, Jarman was the most prominent person in the UK living openly with HIV. He was unapologetic, radical, and fiercely creative.
The timing was intentional. In the 1991 New Year Honours, actor Ian McKellen had accepted a knighthood. While many celebrated this as "mainstream acceptance," the Sisters (and Jarman himself) saw it as a move toward assimilation. By canonizing Jarman, the Sisters positioned him as the "perfect antidote" to the status quo. He didn't want a title from the state; he wanted a revolution.
This act showed that queer canonization isn't just about fluff and glitter: it’s a political statement about who we choose to elevate. We don't need the validation of traditional institutions when we have the power to validate ourselves.
The Ritual: Camp as a Sacred Tool
If you’ve ever witnessed a Sisterhood ritual, you know it’s a masterclass in camp. There are feather boas, heavy puns, and a lot of "thee" and "thou" used in ways the Pope never intended. But don't let the humor fool you: it is a tool.
Camp allows the Sisters to subvert religious authority. By adopting the aesthetic of the nun, they take the power out of the hands of those who used religion to shame us. When a Sister "blesses" a crowd with a duster or a wand of bubbles, they are replacing "stigmatic guilt" with laughter. In the queer community, joy isn't just a feeling; it’s a form of resistance.
Found Family and the Sisterhood
At its heart, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence is a masterclass in the concept of found family. To become a Sister is a long process: you start as a Postulant, move to a Novice, and eventually become a Black Veil (a fully professed Sister). This structure provides a sense of belonging and community that many LGBTQ+ people lack in their biological families.
This theme of found family is something we see constantly in popular gay books and MM contemporary fiction. It’s that moment when you realize you don't have to walk the path alone; you have a group of "sisters" (of all genders) who will hold your hand through the crisis and celebrate your wins with a cocktail and a prayer.
During the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis in the 1980s, the Sisters were on the front lines. They published "Play Fair," the first sex-positive safer sex pamphlet that didn't use fear-based tactics. They visited the sick when others were afraid to touch them. This is the true meaning of their "vows": it's an commitment to the community that goes beyond the habit.
The "Sisters of the Above"
The Sisters also have a beautiful way of honoring their own. On their website and during rituals, they remember the "Sisters of the Above": members who have passed away. In a community where history is often erased or forgotten, this alternative spiritual legacy system ensures that no one is lost.
This practice of remembering our elders is something we strive for at Read with Pride. Whether it’s through gay historical romance that explores our hidden pasts or memoirs that document the struggle, keeping these stories alive is our own form of canonization. We are the keepers of our own myths.
Why it Matters in 2026
You might wonder if we still need the Sisters in 2026. With the rise of LGBTQ+ fiction and the availability of MM romance books on every Kindle, haven't we "made it"?
The truth is, the fight against shame is ongoing. As long as there are people being told that their love is a sin or their identity is a mistake, we need the "holy fools." We need people who are willing to stand on a street corner in 10-inch heels and tell the world that we are blessed, we are holy, and we are worthy of joy.
The Sisters teach us that we don't have to wait for permission to be sacred. We can create our own rituals, our own saints, and our own heaven right here on earth.
Finding Your Own Saints
Who are the saints in your life? Maybe it’s the drag queen who gave you your first place to stay. Maybe it’s the author of your favorite gay novels who made you feel seen for the first time. Or maybe it’s the friend who stayed by your side when you came out.
The Art of Queer Canonization is something we can all practice. It’s about looking at our community and saying, "You are remarkable. You are a miracle."
At Readwithpride.com, we’re dedicated to bringing you the stories that celebrate this spirit. From steamy MM romance to heartfelt gay fiction, our collection is a tribute to the diverse, messy, and beautiful lives of the LGBTQ+ community.
Check out our latest releases and find a story that makes you feel a little more "saintly" today:
Let's keep telling our stories, honoring our heroes, and, above all, promulgating universal joy.
Stay connected with the community:
- Follow us on Facebook
- Catch our updates on X (Twitter)
- See the beauty on Instagram
#ReadWithPride #SistersOfPerpetualIndulgence #QueerHistory #LGBTQBooks #MMRomance #GayFiction #FoundFamily #QueerSaints #2026GayBooks #GayRomanceNovels
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.