Why do you want to be a fully professed house?

In a world where uncertainty seems to be the norm, particularly for the LGBTQIA+ community, the need for solidarity, joy, and visible support is greater than ever. As a community, we face challenges to our rights and freedoms every day. That’s why we felt called to action—why we knew Cincinnati needed the Sisters.

Our mission is to “promulgate joy and expiate stigmatic guilt…” but put more simply: to support those in need, spread joy, and remove guilt throughout the Greater Cincinnati region. We proudly became a fully professed house of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence in January 2018, a testament to our dedication to the Sisterhood’s global mission. Every day, we strive to empower our community, stand up for those who need it most, and bring a little extra sparkle to the Queen City.

What is your philosophy?

Our philosophy is simple and aligns with the Sisterhood’s mission: to spread love and remove guilt. We do this through community service, being visibly present in our community, and supporting local organizations, queer-friendly spaces, and events. We understand the unique role we play in the greater Cincinnati area and are excited to strengthen our partnerships while finding new and creative ways to fulfill our mission.

What kind of Sisters are you?

We are a beautifully diverse group of individuals who have come together to form a unique and powerful house. As a leading-edge Order of queer and trans nuns, our strength lies in the rich tapestry of experiences and perspectives that each of us brings. We believe that everyone has the right to express their unique joy and beauty, and we embrace the differences that make us stronger.

Since our first appearance in San Francisco on Easter Sunday, 1979, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence® have been devoted to community service, ministry, and outreach to those on the edges. Here in Cincinnati, we continue that tradition, using humor and irreverent wit to expose the forces of bigotry, complacency, and guilt that chain the human spirit. We love each other, challenge each other, and, yes, sometimes argue with each other—but always with the best interests of our Sisters, our house, and our community at heart. We grow together, we fail together, and we succeed together. We are a family.

What makes you unique?

From our quirky and sometimes elaborate makeup, our proud name as the Abbey of the Immaculate 4-Way, to our sky-scraper-inspired coronets, we are uniquely Cincinnati. We celebrate what makes us weird and welcome each Sister’s individuality with open arms. Our house includes drag pageant competitors, national leather titleholders, scientists, business professionals, and university administrators. Whether it’s a flowy caftan or a fully-padded, tucked queen, our house is as diverse as the Sisters, Brothers, and Guards within it!

Where did you get those dresses?

Our Sisters LOVE our individuality.  Our house dresses are less of an actual dress, but more of a pattern – Polka Dots.  Polka dots are always fun, but this also lets each member explore their own identity.  From Rockabilly dresses to, yes, even caftans, the polka dots are often easily spotted wherever we go.  During any manifestation, you will see a wide variety of outfits that our Sisters wear.  A couple of our Sisters love to portray characters, while others perfect their individual images.

But where DID we get those dresses?  That is the question isn’t it, after all.  Thrift stores are a blast for dress shopping.  Especially when other customers start helping us pick out dresses and outfits. We’ve also had great success on Amazon and ebay, too.  For those fuller-figured nuns in our Abbey, four-way stretch spandex and a sewing machine are their best friends.