Queer Nuns Documentary Logline
Fiery Sister Unity and the LGBTQ+ nuns, The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence came under attack during the LA Dodgers controversy and emerged victorious - at a cost.
But, who are the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, what is their story, and how have they made a contribution to the LGBTQ+ community for over 45 years?
About Our Film
The Prayer
The Inciting Incident
The Inciting Incident
The project started with a prayer. On New Year's Day 2023, filmmaker Peter Fitzgerald was distraught about how drag and trans folk were being mistreated in the US and abroad. So, he asked The Great Whatever for a sign about how to be of service those communities.
The Inciting Incident
The Inciting Incident
The Inciting Incident
In May, The LA Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence were disinvited from being honored by the LA Dodgers on Pride Night, and an angry Fitzgerald attended a Sisters event where he made a TikTok with Sister Unity about the snub. It was picked up by PBS NewsHour, the Dodgers re-invited the Sisters and the story blew up around the world.
The Project
The Inciting Incident
The Production (so far)
Fitzgerald reached out to Unity and the LA Sisters, who consented to being the subjects of a this documentary. It was decided the project would also explore the story of the origins and history of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, and it's many chapters across the globe.
The Production (so far)
The Production (so far)
The Production (so far)
Through the support of crowd funding, Peter and the crew filmed the LA Sisters as they served their community at joyous, inspirational and moving events, all while they were being derided by the far-right, and certain Catholics and their media outlets. They, too, will become part of this film.
The Producers
The Production (so far)
The Humanities Advisors
Two prestigious producers joined Fitzgerald. First was Outfest's Christopher Racster (Spork & Save Me,) followed by the great Daniel Karslake (For The Bible Tells Me So and 1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture.)
The Humanities Advisors
The Production (so far)
The Humanities Advisors
Humanities advisors: Susan Stryker (Professor Emerita of Gender and Women’s Studies at the University of Arizona,) Melissa M. Wilcox (author of Queer Nuns: Religion, Activism, and Serious Parody) and Jonathan Alexander (Professor of English and Gender & Sexuality Studies at UCI.)
The Funding
The Film Collaborative
The Film Collaborative
Fitzgerald was recently awarded the West Hollywood Artist Grant for the project. There are other grants and fundraising events in the works, but we need your support to bring The Sisters Film to fruition. Click the links to watch the trailer and make a donation to the project.
The Film Collaborative
The Film Collaborative
The Film Collaborative
The Sisters Film is blessed to partner with The Film Collaborative, a non-profit that accepts your tax deductible donations for production expenses. Lead by Orly Ravid, TFC also helps filmmakers with all aspects of distribution.
The Goal
The Film Collaborative
The Goal
After production, post and mixing, we hope to bring the film to a variety of festivals in 2024-2025, and also theatrical and streaming distribution.
Ultimately, we have faith that The Sisters Film will inspire an abiding appreciation for the wonderful
Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and their message of universal joy and expiation of stigmatic guilt.
The World of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence
The Origins of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence
Check out the San Francisco order's amazing Sistory page.
The Story of the Los Angeles Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence
Explore the Los Angeles order's own unique sistory.
The Los Angeles Cloister's Membership
Read up on the LA order's diverse membership.
Read the Definitive Text on SPI
Read Melissa M. Wilcox's book "Queer Nuns Religion, Activism, and Serious Parody."
Support Our Film
Spread the Sisters' message of love and joy by supporting our film.
Support The LA SPI House
After you've donated to the film, please support the Los Angeles Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. They donate your contributions to worthy charities.