Dear Friends,

Since our founding in 1979, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence have raised and distributed over one million dollars to non-profit organizations that serve needy communities. Each year, we raise thousands more. This year our Sister Collection Buckets have gone virtual!

Now, through the end of June, our 1st Annual SPI
"Fill Our Buckets" fundraiser is online! Please share our messages and set aside a few bucks to drop into the virtual bucket, because the money goes right back to the community!

In 1991 Sister Roma! introduced STOP the Violence Campaign in reaction to the rise of violence in the streets, especially hate crimes. A window placard system was devised to mark safe homes & businesses to run to in the instance or threat of an attack. The Order distributed window signs and whistles in various neighborhoods and districts of the city as well as on college campuses.

In 2009, the Sisters collaborated with Castro Community On Patrol (CCOP) to put safety whistles in the hands of all community member who wanted one.

In 2019, Sister Roma teamed up with ONYX NorthWest and the leather community, revised the graphics and expanded the Stop the Violence campaign to SOMA; this was due to a rise of reported hate crimes in the area which seemed to be targeting our leather community, friends, and neighbors.

Also in 2019, Sister Carrie Me Away's Novice Project was with OpenHouse SF; it was an effort to bring Pride and the joy-filled celebrations to older and elderly folks who could no longer get out to attend the big, crowded events. 2020 - 2021 celebrations were disrupted due to COVID but because of the connections made, Sisters continue to volunteer with OpenHouse in the form of "Joy" basket deliveries to community members as well as other volunteer efforts. The Sisters hope to continue Pride celebrations for our aging queer community in 2022 and going forward.

Squeaky Clean Gutter Queens
Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sisters sought out ways to continue serving the community. The streets were deserted yet being outside and socially distanced was the only way to mingle "safely". In July 2020, Sister Angelina noticed how much trash and litter began collecting in the streets so (at the advice of her boyfriend) she launched Squeaky Clean Gutter Queens who took to the streets with trashbags, gloves, music and a whole slew of volunteers and who have now picked up trash in the Castro, the Tenderloin, the Haight, Ocean Beach, & North Oakland.

Wear A Mask / Practice Safe Six
In September, after Sister Roma had been approached by Supervisor Rafael Mandelman's office, the Sisters partnered with the mayor, London Breed's office and the COVID Relief Team to create #MaskTheSFUp and #PracticeSafeSix campaign. Masked-up Sisters were photographed and posted all over the city, in parks, on closed-off streets, at bus shelters, in storefront windows and anywhere they were allowed to be posted, to promote the message of safety for our community.

The Pink Triangle has been installed atop Twin Peaks in San Francisco for Pride weekend since 1996, as a visible yet mute reminder of man's inhumanity to man. It is almost 200 feet across, nearly an acre in size, and can be seen for 20 miles.

The 25th annual Pink Triangle was illuminated for the first time on June 27,2020 so it could shine as a Beacon of Hope for the 50th anniversary of SF Pride.

This year is the first installation to stay up for the whole month of June. The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence have been long supporters of this endeavor, including a few early morning treks to the hilltop for installation and blessings, also carrying the torch in the procession through Oakland and San Francisco. Learn more here: https://www.thepinktriangle.com

Pink Triangle Park and Memorial is the first permanent, free-standing memorial in America to the LGBT experience during this chapter of history. It was built by the Eureka Valley Promotion Association (EVPA), the neighborhood association
for the Castro, Upper Market and Duboce Triangle areas. The Park continues to evolve with the hard work of residents and businesses in the area, and with the generous support from the community.

The Sisters have helped maintain the park, generally in keeping the rose quartz triangle filled, and also in volunteering with Friends of the Park on regularly scheduled gardening days.

We also start (or end) many Castro events here (including the above-mentioned Pink Torch procession) with special Sisterly blessings. More info about the park can be found here: https://pinktrianglememorial.org/

The Sisters Give it Away!
Historically, The Sisters have given grants to under-funded, smaller organizations and projects providing direct services to our communities. The majority of these organizations and projects receive little, if any, government or main-stream funding and may be in the early stages of development. Our grants are typically $250 to $1,000.

Promoting wellness and diversity
We are especially attracted to progressive projects that have a vision that encompasses diverse communities and groups that have a common interest in human rights, people of every gender, gender identity, race, class, age and sexual orientation.

Providing seed money for special projects
We are especially thrilled to fund special projects (over general operations), to support innovators, and to provide seed money
that will have a ripple effect, promoting wellness, joy, tolerance, and diversity.

For more information on our Grants process and recipients, go to www.thesisters.org/grants

You've helped us help them!
Trans Needle Exchange is a non-profit mail-based service providing free HRT needle supplies for trans folk who cannot access or afford their own. They send a month’s worth of supplies to people all around the country. Trans Needle Exchange ships out over 150 packages a month.
https://transneedles.org/

You've helped to address racism.
People's Institute Undoing Racism Community Organizing for Queer Community creates a safe space to talk about race and acquire tools to help organize for equity and liberation. Participants in Undoing Racism / Community Organizing workshop analyze structures of power and privilege that hinder social equity.
https://pisab.org/

You are advocating for accessibility and helping to preserve history
Deaf Queer Resource Center Provides info and resources, preserves Deaf LGBTQ history, advocates for communication access, and works to support, empower, and bring more visibility to and awareness about marginalized Deaf LGBTQ communities.
https://www.flowcode.com/page/deafqueer

June 5, 2021 marked 40 years since the CDC officially reported the first cases of what became known as AIDS.

As part of our original calling, the Sisters offered shame-free care and open hearts to those afflicted with the HIV virus. To this day, the Sisters continue to raise funds and awareness around AIDS education & prevention including money for research & treatments for individuals who cannot afford it. We also work to eradicate stigma around HIV and other STI's and all health issues.

The Sisters will continue to serve and support our communities.

We hope that you will support us too!

Help us reach our goal!

We couldn't do any of this without YOU!

Please donate any amount.

Your donation is tax deductible.

www.theSisters.org/donate or Venmo
@theSisters

Sincere thanks!