Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Abbey of the Black Swan, Perth City House – The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are an international group of queer activists who have devoted themselves to community, service and outreach to those on the edges and to promoting human rights, respect for diversity and human enlightenment. The Sisters believe all people have the right to express their unique joy and beauty and use humour and irreverent wit to expose the forces of bigotry, complacency and guilt that chain the human spirit.
The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence share a vocation for public service, visit the sick, raise money for the poor, and generally just want everyone to be happy. The organisation started in 1979 in San Francisco and spread worldwide with groups in cities across Europe, the Americas and Australia.
The Perth House was established in 1994. The Perth Sisters perform marriages and memorial services and bless houses, venues and babies. Sisters are distinctive in their black-and-white habits and can be seen at queer gatherings, ministering to the community, and out and about in the city. In May this year, the Perth Sisters also organised the AIDS Memorial Candlelight Service to coincide with similar memorials held around the world.
The Perth House embraces an ‘inclusionist’ membership policy and welcomes everyone who wants to be fabulous and share in their goal of commitment to serving the community and annoying people who do not support GLBTIQ/HIV rights.
For further information on the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, contact the Blessed Mother Gretta Amyletta of the Holy Vapours at new.opi.perth@hotmail.com, through PO Box 276 Bayswater, WA 6933 or on 93210745.
