Feelings of resentment and anger fueled by religious conservatives are seen as blasphemous by some Christians, with the satirical performance and activist group Sisters of Perpetual, composed of homosexual nuns in drag. It culminated in Friday afternoon protests at Dodger Stadium over the honor of “Indulgence.”
Protesters gathered in a “prayer procession” at Parking Lot 13 outside Dodger Stadium before the team’s 10th annual Pride Night. The team will be presented with awards for decades of community service ahead of their game against the San Francisco Giants.
Helicopters hovered above and hundreds of demonstrators, mostly dressed in red, began to gather in the parking lot. Protesters handed out rosaries and hoisted flags with religious images, pictures of Jesus Christ and hand-made signs reading “Long live Christ the King!” and “Shame on the Dodgers Organization”.
The demonstration comes hours after Archbishop of Los Angeles Jose H. Gomez spent part of Friday afternoon mass criticizing the “nuns of eternal indulgence.”
“Religious freedom and respect for the beliefs of others are hallmarks of this country,” he said. “When God is insulted or the faith of many neighbors is ridiculed, it devalues us all.”
Outside the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles, a protester used loudspeakers and leaflets to warn people of a demonstration at the stadium. He was disappointed that the archdiocese did not provide a shuttle to the site.
of Sisters was founded in San Francisco In 1979, by a trio of gay men dressed in costumes adapted from nun customs. The long-standing charity has since reached out to the LGBTQ+ community in the form of AIDS fundraisers, safe sex pamphlets and condom distribution.
Controversy erupted shortly after the Dodgers announced they would honor the sisters. The club withdrew the Community Hero Award after backlash from the right, then apologized and re-invited the organization after protests from LGBTQ+ groups.
It is not the work of the nonprofit nuns who claim to be.Spread universal joy and clear prejudiced guilt‘ has angered religious groups and leaders who have capitalized on Christian traditions and images.
San Francisco branch “Hunky Jesus” and the “Foxy Mary” Contest this easterother events featured Jesus Christ-like figures pole-dancing on the cross.
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles said the group “blasphemes the cross, desecrates the Eucharist, disrupts Holy Mass” and “brings disappointment, despondency and pain to the public.” [the] Catholic community. “
Church Militant, a Michigan-based conservative media group that claims to “fight sin, demons and demons,” called the Sisters an anti-Catholic group.Blasphemous ridicule of God, crucifixion, Catholicism, and nunsThe group invites viewers to join the protest, but others can check out the site’s livestream.
Friday’s protests were led by Catholic Four, a Phoenix-based 501(c)(4) group whose senior advisor is retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, who previously pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI.・Partially sponsored by Catholic organizations.
The group called the sisters “ignorant of God” and “ridiculing Christ”, blaming them for ridiculing their motto “sin less”. Christ’s commands in the Bible“Go and sin no more.”
Catholics for Catholics plan to “thousands protest at Dodger Stadium”. The group did not respond to an emailed request for comment but wants a “peaceful procession” online and asks attendees to avoid bringing posters containing “political images or messages”. posted.
Richard Zaldivar — Founder of wall russ memorial projectThe Sisters, a community wellness organization serving the Latino and LGBTQ+ community, said some of the Catholic leaders who criticized the Sisters were members of the Church’s conservatives, who have opposed Pope Francis on many issues. said it is.
“Sisters of perpetual indulgence are being used as targets for homophobic attacks,” said Zaldiva. “Continued Attitude Promotes Our LGBT” [Latino] Members are put back in the closet by their families, exposed to HIV, drug use problems, homelessness, and suicide. It should not fuel an already toxic, polarized community. “
Anti-LGBTQ+ education protests in North Hollywood and Glendale this month have been tense and at times violent, with the latter reportedly involving members of the far-right extremist group the Proud Boys. .
On June 5, a vigil hosted by a Christian group was held outside the State Capitol. At a ceremony for LGBTQ+ Pride Month that afternoon, lawmakers honored Sister Roma, one of the most popular drag nuns for promoting safe sex education and trash disposal. cleaning.
Some Republican lawmakers walked out of the chamber in protest.
Theologian Julie Rubio, professor of Christian social ethics at Santa Clara University, said the sisters controversy is a continuation of the national culture wars over LGBTQ+ rights.
She likens the Sisters’ conflict to a battle over what critics call the “Don’t Say You’re Gay” law, which bans all education about sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools in Florida.
“There are people on the right side who ask, ‘Is there a line that cannot be crossed?'” Is nothing sacred? said Rubio. “But on the left is the question, ‘Have we not understood the intricacies of parody, humor and speech?'”
Rubio said common ground will only be found when both sides stop looking to the other’s extreme views.
“Looking at what the Sisters are doing, can you understand that this is not hate or prejudice?” she said. “Is it possible religiously to see this as blasphemy and draw a line? It’s complicated.”
Times staff writer Ruben Vives contributed to this report
