There are many serious and dispiriting historical accounts of discrimination housed at the CLGA. It was therefore a breath of fresh air to come across the records of one group that injected much-needed albeit controversial humour into the fight for equal rights. In 1981, a Toronto chapter of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence formed. This group, run by gay men, originated in San Francisco in 1979 before spreading internationally. Like real nuns, the “sisters” had a call to serve. They raised money for charity and protested intolerance, especially by the religious right. Members donned facsimiles of a conventional robe, scapular, and wimple. However, unlike a real religious order, they boosted their wardrobe with exaggerated make-up and other outrageous, attention-getting flourishes. They combined cross-dressing with satire through song to get their messages across. What we found most interesting about this group is that — in the midst of a serious and rocky era for LGBTTIQQ2SA politics — they leveraged a comical tradition dating back to ancient times to great effect. Like the jester in medieval courts, they employed buffoonery and exaggeration to ridicule and expose narrow-minded views. With stage names like Sister Sleazia and Sister Atrociata Von Tasteless, the goal was making people laugh in order to lubricate the delivery of serious messages about homophobia versus pride. The CLGA has one of the group’s hand-made costumes, which indicates its members had a knack for sewing. We also found a copy of their songbook filled with inspirational and moral messages, making it their version of the Bible. Consider the following, sung to the tune of Tomorrow from the musical Annie. Your son will come out tomorrow. Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, he’ll come out. Just thinking about tomorrow, Gives him strength to fight the fear and sorrow, and the doubt. ‘Cause he’s tired of a life that’s sad and lonely. He’s tired of hiding what he is. When your son does come out tomorrow, Remember he’s still your son tomorrow, come what may. Tomorrow, tomorrow, he’ll come out tomorrow, And tell you he’s proud he’s gay. Tomorrow, tomorrow, he’ll come out tomorrow, And tell you he’s proud and gay. The song’s message about shedding shame was always front and centre for this group. The CLGA has a sample of a brown-paper “guilt disposal” barf bag the sisters handed out to people who suffered from “the dread, the agony, the queasy stomach of sexually transmitted guilt.” If only shedding a lifetime of culturally imposed shame was as easy as hurling after one too many drinks! Despite their sincerity, the group was viewed by some as too crass or transgressive. They became a critical lightening rod for ostensibly denigrating religion. Then Mayor Art Eggleton, a Catholic who was not known for supporting the lesbian and gay community, referred to the group as “crude and disgusting.” A Roman Catholic alderman called them “the filthiest piece of garbage I have seen in a long time.” Some lesbians and members of women’s rights groups were also opposed to the sisters. They felt their representations were misogynistic and diverted attention from social issues. In the face of opposition from these women, whose concerns the sisters were highly sensitive to, the Toronto chapter of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence folded in 1986. It is interesting to consider whether the sisters made the right decision in bowing to public pressure, especially given that other chapters continued to thrive and support the community. Since their brand of political theatre was misunderstood in Toronto, could they have done a better job of explaining their intentions for coopting religious and female representations? Would this have made any difference if — whatever their intentions —people they did not mean to offend nevertheless felt hurt or undermined by their actions? In 2011, a new Toronto chapter of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence was formed and is still active. For more about this group, watch the documentary Bad Habits. | |
2 Comments
Janet Hethrington
12/8/2014 01:34:00 am
The Sisters is really well considered and well written. Love the allusion to Lear's Fool - that came to mind when you referenced the jester. I like the fact that you close with a question. When the Sisters were started the time was ripe for extreme, in-your-face, possibly offensive irony to break through the silence/denial - I'm not so sure if was needed in 2011. I question the motives of the rebirth and wonder if the re-creation will water down the value of the original protesters.
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8/21/2015 05:15:57 am
After a few years of struggle, a new Toronto Mission has arrived! Visit the Toronto Sisters of JOY (the Jubilant Order of York) at www.torontosisters.com
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The following blogs provide vivid accounts of discrimination perpetrated against people in Canada whose sexual identities did not conform to standards of the day. In equal measure, they provide stirring anecdotes about brave individuals who — in the face of overwhelming oppression — challenged ignorance and injustice. Archives
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