Photo by Mia Luna Photography (Sister Caskara)[/caption
You’ve probably seen them around town, cheery figures wearing extravagant vaguely religious garbs, helping out with queer events like bingo, Pride fests, or fundraisers. These eye-catching and friendly folks are Colorado’s local chapter of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, The Golden Nugget Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Also known as the Order of Perpetual Indulgence, this organization is a fun and effective mix of street performance, charity, and protest. They dress up as satirical versions of nuns and saints to bring awareness to queer, religious, and political issues. The original organization started in San Fransisco in the late 70’s, since then they have grown to be in multiple states and countries. It’s a little crazy that it took this long for someone to found a chapter in Denver, the Queen City!
Our Interview with the Golden Nugget Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence
We sat down to talk with Sister Caskara about the newly formed local chapter. We cover how to get involved, how to collaborate with them, and the history of our local chapter. The amount of detail and thought that goes into their trademark make up blew my mind!
GayDenver: How would you describe the Golden Nugget sisters?
Sister Caskara: We’re an organization of queer drag nuns. The Golden Nugget Sisters is Denver’s chapter of The Sister of Perpetual Indulgence. We have been in Denver since 2019. We spread awareness, joy, laughter, and sister moments. Sister moments are when we connect with a person in the community. They open up to us about their lives and experiences. It is an extraordinary experience.
Although we’re Denver’s chapter, we focus a lot of our work along the front range. We have members all over the front range of Colorado: Northern Colorado, the surrounding Denver area, along Southern Colorado. All of that is under Denver’s chapter. One day we hope to create a southern and northern chapter. We can’t do that until more people are engaged. Not many people in Colorado know about the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, which is why we try to go to every event across Colorado so people can learn about us.
GayDenver: I’ve seen you at a few events, is that how you reach the community mainly?
Sister Caskara: Oh yes, we go to all types of events. Mostly queer-based events. We support many of the LGBTQ nonprofits throughout Denver by volunteering at their events, and helping out where we can. We also support drag artists, local businesses, and specialty events. If you need a stunning volunteer reach out, we would love to start that conversation. We are a 501C(3) organization, so you also get a tax write-off in the process! You may have seen me at various Pride events throughout the State of Colorado. I enjoy driving around and showing my support for the various Pride events and communities in Colorado.
GayDenver: You are nuns for hire for anyone that’s helping the queer community. How do people go about hiring you?
Sister Caskara: If you want the Sisters to come to your event or volunteer, there are a few ways that you can reach out. Reach out on social media, our website, or attend one of our meetings. (Meeting schedule available on their website.) Tell us a little bit about your event. How many people you’re expecting…how many volunteers you would prefer to have? So, if we’re all not available, then we can reach out to other organizations to see what we can do.
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GayDenver: Did I see that the founders of Denver’s chapter are the cofounders of Parasol Patrol?
Sister Caskara: The cofounders of Parasol Patrol, Pasha, and Eli, were the first two saints of the Golden Nugget Sisters. The Golden Nugget Sisters were co-founded by Sister CasKara, Sister Cheyenne d’Muir, Sister Innocentia Vulgaris, Sister Minnie Dixon Snyder, and Guard Jako in the Summer of 2019. To be a Saint, you have to do good deeds in the community. The Sisters and Parasol Patrol were founded during the same year but by two different groups of people.
GayDenver: How does one go about joining the local chapter of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence?
Sister Caskara: Every fourth Tuesday we have our monthly general meeting. Anyone is welcome to join. Reach out to us on our social media accounts, Facebook and Instagram, or info@goldennuggetsisters.com. A member will then get in contact with you on how to join and how to participate.
GayDenver: How did you first meet the Sisters?
Sister Caskara: I met Sister Unity, one of the co-founding Sisters of Los Angeles, during my time in California at Drag Con LA. At that time, Sister Unity was serving in the role of “co-mom,” a position where two individuals guide newer chapters into becoming integrated into the broader organization. I learned from them about starting a chapter, since Colorado didn’t have one at the time. While I’ve always valued the sense of community, my contributions to it in my younger years were minimal.
Though I’m only 28 now, my earlier involvements were limited to attending pride events, supporting local drag shows, and making online donations. Now, with this endeavor, I feel like I’m truly making a tangible contribution to the community. Interestingly, in my everyday life, I’m an introvert who avoids social interactions. Yet, when I don the attire of a “Sister,” I’m transformed and find it easier to engage in conversations. Perhaps this shift makes me an ambivert in those moments.
Furthermore, during my high school years, I attended a Gay-Straight Alliance conference in San Francisco. There, I encountered the Sisters again. Early in the morning, they were setting up their booths and, as the day progressed, painting their faces. Their booths were focused on promoting safe sex and distributing condoms. It was amusing to see some kids inflating female condoms like balloons. Such memories!
GayDenver: If you could put anything on a billboard what would it be?
Sister Caskara: “You have PURPOSE!
You have a UNIQUE and beautiful light that no one else shares!
You are NOT a mistake!
You are MEANT to be here!
Remind yourself, I have purpose!”
Author: Jeff Wilson
Jeff is one of the owners of GayDenver and one of its writers. He is a Denver transplant who loves the city and the proximity of the mountains. He is happily married to his husband and loves hiking with his furbaby Thayella.