Just about 5 years ago I registered the domain name rubberchickenministries.org (RCM) for my current work as Sister Flirtatious Romanovsky of Middlesex, TOPI. This is a mostly-digital continuation of the work I did in the 1980s and ’90s in Toronto ON as Sister Flagellation of Forbidden Fruit, TOPI. While the minimal formal structure of the Toronto Order of Perpetual Indulgence was dissolved over 30 years ago, I have never renounced my vows nor my commitment to working within my gay, queer and fetish communities.
Each person who takes vows within the various international Orders of Perpetual Indulgence has a unique Ministry, or mission. Most are some blend of “The Four Ss“: silly; serious; sexy; spiritual. To whatever extent it’s possible to separate them, the Ministry of Sister Flirt is perhaps a bit more spiritual than that of many others. I have been ordained (under my legal name) by the Universal Life Church-Monastery and am licensed to perform Marriage Ceremonies here in Ohio.
I felt that the name Rubber Chicken Ministries expressed RCM‘s unique nature; numerous conversations with the gathered fruitful suggest many people view Ministry as a clearly religious (often specifically Christian) designation. Far too many gay, queer and fetish folks have very negative, very strong, very justified, reactions to institutional religion.
One of the reasons the Toronto Order disbanded the formal group was a similar reaction to, perception of, our work. Whether believing we were (are) mocking nuns (we don’t mock nuns, we are nuns) or that we should change to some non-religious imagery. Our message of self-love and acceptance in a time of homophobia, even as the virus now known as hiv/aids descended, was too often distorted or hidden by perceptions of our personas. So it’s both disappointing and understandable that RCM brings out similar reactions.
But the Work, my Ministry, is much more important than my liking, or having invested time and money in, the RCM name.
I have registered the domain name SisterFlirt.ca. That, along with my offerings through GuncleTarot.com– are a form of pastoral counseling if you will.
Supporting The Work:
Any purchase or donation through this blog’s Supporting Me section supports my independence as a Queer Elder. Sister Flirt offers Full and Absolute Plenary Indulgences as well, should you desire their Blessing.
