Topic: San Francisco
Anyone who knows me knows that the only thing that I'm religious about is my devoutness in giving up Catholocism for Lent...a tradition I've held to year round since 1979. I'm very much in agreement with the line of thinking that goes Christianity is an idea that's never been attempted.
Anyway, due to this, Easter tends to clip right under my radar, except that it affects my ability to park in the Mission due to all the Church services.
However, today I was out amongst the Easter bonnets at the invitation of a guy I met recently. But, being San Francisco, this wasn't any typical Easter Pagent. It was the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence's* 28th Anniversary Celebration: "It Came from Dolores Park!" Where else can you sit out on a lawn in the San Francisco sun, listen to a drag version of Ethel Merman, rock out to a band in clown makeup, or behold the glory of the Hunky Jesus contest, in which one of the judges is wearing a skintight green latex bondage-style bunny suit and mask, complete with ears? This year's contestants included Pogo Jesus (on a pogo stick), Jew Jesus (a kvetching woman), Jesus Christ Superstar (glittering gold with two floosie disciples), and Zombie Jesus ("braaaains!"). In a nod to tradition, it was "Old Skool Jesus" who won... but how could he lose? The guy was literally dragging a life-sized cross around the park!
Oh, and I was out in the sun for hours without sunscreen and didn't even go pink, let alone burn.
Guess Easter miracles do happen!
* The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are self-described 21st century nuns, typically men in wild habits with elaborate drag-style makeup. They are social activists, and many of the Orders are non-profits within their respective countries raising money for AIDS and other charities and community service organizations, and have been leaders in the campaign for safer sex and personal responsibility.
