ABOVE: The TB Sisters receive an award for 15 years of support from EPIC. Photo via the TB Sisters.
TAMPA BAY| The Tampa Bay Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence marked two decades of service this year, raising nearly $10,000 for local charities in what they’ve deemed “necessary trouble.”
The organization is a chapter of the San Francisco-based Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, the global order that’s used drag and religious imagery to advocate for LGBTQ and other issues since 1979. They are one of its longest-running Houses, predating all others in the immediate Southeastern U.S.
The Sisters formed to participate in the first St Pete Pride, which marked 20 years of its own in June. They donned nun wimples to roller skate through the celebration’s first promenade.
Sister Agatha Frisky, who expected that to be the end but now serves as president of the 13-member body, was among the participants.
“We were reached out to by the ‘Mother House’ afterwards,” he remembers. “They explained they were a nonprofit in California and said ‘we have so many chapters, but there’s nothing on the East Coast, there’s nothing in the South. We would love it if you wanted to join so we could plant some roots in the Southern U.S.’”
The group’s founders began raising awareness and funds in the area, working for a full year to form their chapter’s ministry. It takes at least that long to become a fully professed sister, which is done through phases including aspirant, postulant and novice. Their trademark white makeup, veils and more evolve accordingly.
Guards are also a key part of each House, which operate independently of one another as a reflection of the region they serve. Frisky says that the Sisters have raised $20,000 for local causes since their Tampa Bay inception.
He sees it as a critical part of the organization’s work to help those who help others. Each sister takes a vow to “promulgate universal joy and expiate stigmatic guilt,” building a community of hope, creativity and wellness.
“I do think that visibility and representation – just knowing that there is safety in being yourself – is something that can only be communicated by those who are brave enough to go forth and do that,” he says. “Whether that’s in the form of fundraising or just going out and meeting the public.”
This year alone, the Sisters led 10 major events spanning Tampa Bay. Fundraisers have benefited the American Legion, Empath Partners in Care and more.
Joining Frisky are Sisters Alison Wonderland, Paula Poundtown, Franki Stein, Regina Apis, Nora Torious, Abbie Normal and Imma Gitaround; Novice Sisters Spitta Swallow and Battie Mage; Guards Matt Hatter and Issac Weiner as well as Novice Guard Dixon Cutt. Two as-of-yet unnamed aspirants have also offered their support, with more always welcome.
“We’re part fundraising, part activism,” Frisky says. “All you need to do is message the Tampa Bay Sisters if that appeals to you.”
The chapter has used their 20th year to reflect and regroup, Frisky notes, in order to better position them for the future. He says it’s allowed them to find a “new core of like-minded members.”
“We’re very happy house,” Frisky says. “We’ve been very fundraiser-oriented this year and next year, because it is so important politically – there’s no way to not be political when you are what we are, although we are not a political organization – our efforts are going to be a lot more demonstrative.
“It’s in our mission,” he adds. “Promulgation of universal joy, expiation of stigmatic guilt, we work to make people feel good about who they are because there’s so much out there making them feel bad about it.”
To learn more about the Tampa Bay Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, visit Facebook.com/TampaSisters.
