Texas church invites SPI troupe to ‘drag Sunday’ event <\/h2>\n\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/cdn.christianpost.com\/assets\/img\/icon\/chat-rect.svg\")
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<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.christianpost.com\/images\/cache\/image\/15\/02\/150289_w_760_452.jpg\")
<\/source><\/picture>(Left) Booking photo of Clinton Monroe Ellis-Gilmore; (Right) Gilmore dressed as a nun in a Facebook post.<\/span> | Humboldt County Sheriff\/Facebook\/ClintonMonroeEllisGilmore<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nA national anti-Catholic drag troupe says it \u201cunreservedly condemns\u201d the actions leading to the arrest of a former member who police say masturbated in public for over an hour.<\/p>\n
The statement shared with The Christian Post from the Eureka House of The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence (SPI) was the organization\u2019s first public comment since the arrest of Clinton Monroe Ellis-Gilmore, 53, of Eureka.<\/p>\n
Gilmore was arrested<\/a> Aug. 12 in Humboldt County for allegedly exposing himself in the driver\u2019s seat of a car parked where authorities say he was \u201creported by multiple witnesses to have been sitting in his truck with the door open, masturbating for approximately one hour.\u201d<\/p>\nIn response to Gilmore\u2019s arrest, SPI said Gilmore was not yet an official member but was \u201cin a probationary process to become a full member at one time,\u201d a process which the group says ended in October 2020.<\/p>\n
The statement \u2014 which touted SPI as a \u201cministry\u201d dating back to \u201cthe early days of the AIDS crisis in San Francisco\u201d \u2014 apologized and added that the group uses a \u201clong and complex process for admitting new members\u201d in order to ensure they \u201cwill not bring dishonor to our order.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe offer our most profound apologies to the community for what happened and specifically to any individuals impacted by this inexcusable behavior,\u201d the statement said. \u201cIt is not representative of our Order, our values, or the hundreds of individuals who serve as Sisters.\u201d<\/p>\n
Since its start in 1979, SPI has hosted and\/or participated in a number of blasphemous<\/a> public events, including referring to Jesus Christ as the \u201cCondom Savior,\u201d hosting an annual \u201cHunky Jesus\u201d contest on Easter Sundays and reportedly carrying a 20-foot replica of a penis.\u00a0<\/p>\nSPI is also known for mocking<\/a> the crucifixion of Christ as a stripper-style pole dance.<\/p>\nFollowing Gilmore\u2019s arrest, it\u2019s unclear how or whether that will impact future SPI events, but at least one church in North Texas has invited the group and others to take part in a \u201cdrag Sunday\u201d <\/a>event this weekend.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.christianpost.com\/images\/cache\/image\/15\/03\/150332_w_760_393.png\")
<\/source><\/picture>A screenshot of the digital flyer for a “Drag Sunday” event at Cathedral of Hope in Dallas, Texas.<\/span> | Screenshot: CathedralofHope.com<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ in Dallas says it will include in its Sept. 17 Sunday service a moment to \u201coffer our blessings to the drag queens who have contributed to our community in such inspiring ways.\u201d<\/p>\n
As part of that service, the Cathedral of Hope invited SPI along with the local LGBT groups Dallas Bears and the Royal Court to \u201cbe part of this remarkable blessing.\u201d<\/p>\n
The church-hosted drag event is said to be a response to the enactment of Senate Bill 12<\/a>, a new state law that prohibits children and youth younger than 18 from attending \u201csexually oriented performances.\u201d<\/p>\nAs part of the performance, Cathedral of Hope is asking supporters to contribute to the Drag Defense Fund, which goes toward financing ACLU legal fights against what it calls anti-LGBT legislation.<\/p>\n
The Cathedral of Hope is also collecting donations for the Drag Defense Fund, which finances the ACLU\u2019s legal challenges against \u201canti-[LGBT] legislation.\u201d<\/p>\n
In their statement, SPI said it was \u201cparticularly frustrating for us to have to address this accusation of inexcusable behavior [by Gilmore] at a time when we know many are seeking any way to marginalize and minimize us.\u201d<\/p>\n
The group \u2014 which includes members <\/a>with vulgar names like \u201cSister GladAss of the Joyous Reserectum,\u201d \u201cSister Lourdes Mae Shepherd,\u201d and \u201cSister Oletta B. Demonic\u201d \u2014 also urged its critics to \u201cconsider whether all the current and former members of their own organizations are without sin before hurling stones at our entire organization based on the alleged behavior of a former member.\u201d<\/p>\nIn July, Google distanced<\/a> itself from a scheduled company pride event featuring a member of SPI who called himself “Mistress of the Most Holy Mass\u201d after Christian employees accused the internet search giant of religious discrimination.<\/p>\nAnd despite allegations to the contrary from the Catholic League and other conservative religious groups, SPI denied holding any ill will toward Catholics, but rather professed their support for \u201cequity and inclusion.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe should also clarify that we do not profess hatred toward the Catholic church, or any other organization, as many have claimed,\u201d the statement read. \u201c… We are simply the latest in a long line of marginalized communities who have fought and sacrificed to ensure their dignity and rights as humans.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe stand on the shoulders of giants and will continue to fight for our goal of a truly just, inclusive, and equitable society where a person\u2019s worth is not measured according to another person\u2019s faith.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nIan M. Giatti is a reporter for The Christian Post and the author of\u00a0BACKWARDS DAD: a children’s book for grownups<\/a><\/em>. He can be reached at:\u00a0ian.giatti@christianpost.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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<\/source><\/picture>A national anti-Catholic drag troupe says it \u201cunreservedly condemns\u201d the actions leading to the arrest of a former member who police say masturbated in public for over an hour.<\/p>\n
The statement shared with The Christian Post from the Eureka House of The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence (SPI) was the organization\u2019s first public comment since the arrest of Clinton Monroe Ellis-Gilmore, 53, of Eureka.<\/p>\n
Gilmore was arrested<\/a> Aug. 12 in Humboldt County for allegedly exposing himself in the driver\u2019s seat of a car parked where authorities say he was \u201creported by multiple witnesses to have been sitting in his truck with the door open, masturbating for approximately one hour.\u201d<\/p>\n In response to Gilmore\u2019s arrest, SPI said Gilmore was not yet an official member but was \u201cin a probationary process to become a full member at one time,\u201d a process which the group says ended in October 2020.<\/p>\n The statement \u2014 which touted SPI as a \u201cministry\u201d dating back to \u201cthe early days of the AIDS crisis in San Francisco\u201d \u2014 apologized and added that the group uses a \u201clong and complex process for admitting new members\u201d in order to ensure they \u201cwill not bring dishonor to our order.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe offer our most profound apologies to the community for what happened and specifically to any individuals impacted by this inexcusable behavior,\u201d the statement said. \u201cIt is not representative of our Order, our values, or the hundreds of individuals who serve as Sisters.\u201d<\/p>\n Since its start in 1979, SPI has hosted and\/or participated in a number of blasphemous<\/a> public events, including referring to Jesus Christ as the \u201cCondom Savior,\u201d hosting an annual \u201cHunky Jesus\u201d contest on Easter Sundays and reportedly carrying a 20-foot replica of a penis.\u00a0<\/p>\n SPI is also known for mocking<\/a> the crucifixion of Christ as a stripper-style pole dance.<\/p>\n Following Gilmore\u2019s arrest, it\u2019s unclear how or whether that will impact future SPI events, but at least one church in North Texas has invited the group and others to take part in a \u201cdrag Sunday\u201d <\/a>event this weekend.<\/p>\n The Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ in Dallas says it will include in its Sept. 17 Sunday service a moment to \u201coffer our blessings to the drag queens who have contributed to our community in such inspiring ways.\u201d<\/p>\n As part of that service, the Cathedral of Hope invited SPI along with the local LGBT groups Dallas Bears and the Royal Court to \u201cbe part of this remarkable blessing.\u201d<\/p>\n The church-hosted drag event is said to be a response to the enactment of Senate Bill 12<\/a>, a new state law that prohibits children and youth younger than 18 from attending \u201csexually oriented performances.\u201d<\/p>\n As part of the performance, Cathedral of Hope is asking supporters to contribute to the Drag Defense Fund, which goes toward financing ACLU legal fights against what it calls anti-LGBT legislation.<\/p>\n The Cathedral of Hope is also collecting donations for the Drag Defense Fund, which finances the ACLU\u2019s legal challenges against \u201canti-[LGBT] legislation.\u201d<\/p>\n In their statement, SPI said it was \u201cparticularly frustrating for us to have to address this accusation of inexcusable behavior [by Gilmore] at a time when we know many are seeking any way to marginalize and minimize us.\u201d<\/p>\n The group \u2014 which includes members <\/a>with vulgar names like \u201cSister GladAss of the Joyous Reserectum,\u201d \u201cSister Lourdes Mae Shepherd,\u201d and \u201cSister Oletta B. Demonic\u201d \u2014 also urged its critics to \u201cconsider whether all the current and former members of their own organizations are without sin before hurling stones at our entire organization based on the alleged behavior of a former member.\u201d<\/p>\n In July, Google distanced<\/a> itself from a scheduled company pride event featuring a member of SPI who called himself “Mistress of the Most Holy Mass\u201d after Christian employees accused the internet search giant of religious discrimination.<\/p>\n And despite allegations to the contrary from the Catholic League and other conservative religious groups, SPI denied holding any ill will toward Catholics, but rather professed their support for \u201cequity and inclusion.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe should also clarify that we do not profess hatred toward the Catholic church, or any other organization, as many have claimed,\u201d the statement read. \u201c… We are simply the latest in a long line of marginalized communities who have fought and sacrificed to ensure their dignity and rights as humans.<\/p>\n \u201cWe stand on the shoulders of giants and will continue to fight for our goal of a truly just, inclusive, and equitable society where a person\u2019s worth is not measured according to another person\u2019s faith.\u201d<\/p>\n Ian M. Giatti is a reporter for The Christian Post and the author of\u00a0BACKWARDS DAD: a children’s book for grownups<\/a><\/em>. He can be reached at:\u00a0ian.giatti@christianpost.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.christianpost.com\/images\/cache\/image\/15\/03\/150332_w_760_393.webp\")
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