The World famous Castro Theatre as seen from the intersection of Castro and Market Streets in San Francisco

Stilettos For Shanghai US Premier August 7th 2017 at the Castro Theater

Stilettos For Shanghai Trailer H 264

In 2014 an international contingent of Sisters was invited to Shanghai, China for their sixth annual Pride Celebration. Traveling around the globe to a communist country where being openly gay is as foreign a concept as freedom of speech is a frightening prospect for the average traveler, let alone a crazy group of drag nuns, but these Sisters gleefully accepted. They packed their habits (good and bad), feather boas, and false eyelashes for ten amazing days hosting events including an LGBT film festival, conferences on LGBT history and HIV/AIDS, and even a gay trivia night. From the pounding nightclubs of Shanghai to the bustling garment district to the iconic Bund, the Sisters created a sensation everywhere they went. Their impact on the Chinese was undeniable but even more impactful was the impression left by the Chinese people on the the Sisters themselves.

Sister Chola

'Stilettos For Shanghai' Castro Screening To Spotlight Anti-LGBTQ Laws

Sister Angelina

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence

Sister Flatulina and Novice Normalee

#Chechnya100
In April shocking news broke that gay men were being rounded up and held in concentration camp-like prisons in Chechnya Russia. Reports claim that more than 100 men were detained, beaten, electrocuted, tortured, and at least three were killed. Russian "investigations" have turned up very little information as the conservative, Kremlin-backed government claims that thee allegations are false because no homosexuals exist in the region, adding, "“If such people existed in Chechnya, law enforcement would not have to worry about them since their own relatives would have sent them to where they could never return.” 

Stilettos for Shanghai for Chechnya

Castro Theatre

Public outcry around the globe has called for an end to these atrocities but the fact is that many of us feel helpless as we hear stories of gay genocide happening in Russia, Uganda, the Middles East and more. While it is true that we cannot change the long-held beliefs of an entire culture, nor can we have a direct impact on their government or laws there is something we can do. We can help our LGBTQ brothers and sisters get out of those repressed and dangerous countries. That is why we are making our U.S. film premiere a fundraiser for ORAM and Rainbow Railroad, to amazing organizations that work directly with gay, lesbian, bi, and trans people seeking asylum. It's up to us to help them get to safety. Please consider joining us for this amazing event and know that you've helped save lives with your generous donation.

Stilettos for Shanghai for Chechnya

Castro Theatre

Sister Flatulina

Sister Pansies, Sister Agnes, activist Ken Jones, and Sister Chola

Ken Jones

Video: LGBT Activist Ken Jones Talks About The Impact Of 'When We Rise'

Sister Pansies, Sister Agnes, activist Ken Jones, and Sister Chola

Ken Jones

Video: LGBT Activist Ken Jones Talks About The Impact Of 'When We Rise'

Sister Angelina

Sister Angelina

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence

Sister Chola

 

 

 

 

Sister Chola

(L) Sister Angelina (r) Sister Rosemary Chicken

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence

(L) Sister Angelina (r) Sister Rosemary Chicken

(L) Sister Angelina (r) Sister Rosemary Chicken

(L) Sister Angelina (r) Sister Rosemary Chicken

(L) Sister Angelina (r) Sister Rosemary Chicken

(L) Sister Angelina (r) Sister Rosemary Chicken

Sister Vicious Power Hungry Bitch

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence

Sister Vicious Power Hungry Bitch

 

Sister Kay, Pope Dementia, Novice Normalee, Sister Flatulina

Sister Flatulina

Sister Flatulina

Sister Flatulina

Flatch

Sister Roma

Sister Roma

 

Sister Chola

 

Sister Flatulina, Filmmaker Monet Allard-Wilcox, Mutha Chucka, Sister Panises

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence

Sister Flatulina, Filmmaker Monet Allard-Wilcox, Mutha Chucka, Sister Panises

Filmmaker Monet Allard-Wilcox and her friend Andrew Keeler

IlluMonet Productions

The film-maker, Monet Allard-Wilcox is a first time documentary film maker and nearly twenty year employee of ABC7 News. Over the last 3 years she has documented the activities of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence including traveling with them, camera in hand, to Shanghai Pride in 2014. At the time Shanghai Pride was the only recurring Pride event in all of mainland China and only six years young. Footage of the Sisters in face and costume walking the streets of Shanghai is a visual and social delight.

The crux of her documentary, Stilettos for Shanghai, discusses the status of LGBTI communities world wide, and includes interviews with Tom Ammiano, Mark Leno, and Bisi Alimi, the first Nigerian man to come out publicly on Nigerian National TV, who was forced to flee his homeland after an attempt on his life. The film discusses the very serious issue of anti gay legislation and the impact on the people living under such repression. 

In direct response to this social injustice, the always courageous drag nuns travel halfway around the world to offer support, inspire creativity and forge lasting connections with a fledgling movement. 

The Sisters made a huge impression on the LGBT community in Shanghai as well as building bridges with the organizers and participants, relationships that continue today.

Stilettos for Shanghai for Chechnya

ABC Seven News Dan Noyes and Filmmaker Monet Allard-Wilcox

IlluMonet Productions

ABC Seven News Dan Noyes and Filmmaker Monet Allard-Wilcox

Queen Dillydally

Queen Dillydally

ABC Seven News Dan Noyes and Filmmaker Monet Allard-Wilcox

 

 

 

 

Castro Theatre

 

 

Sister Kay

 

(L) Sister Rosemary Chicken (r)Sister Angelina

(L) Sister Rosemary Chicken (r)Sister Angelina

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence

 

Castro Theatre

Stilettos For Shanghai

Rainbow Railroad

THE CRISIS IN CHECHNYA

In response to the confirmed reports of abductions, detentions, enforced disappearances, torture and deaths targeting over 200 gay and bisexual men in Chechnya, Rainbow Railroad immediately went to action to assist those in danger. Rainbow Railroad has been working closely with the Russian LGBT Network, a non-governmental organization currently leading the campaign to rescue those facing danger in Chechnya. 

As of July 2017, 37 individuals have escaped into safe houses in Russia, and would like to leave the country. Rainbow Railroad is providing direct travel assistance and has already negotiated safe travel for 27 individuals with a commitment to supporting every one of them. 

Castro Theatre

Sister Vicious Power Hungry Bitch, California State Assemblyman Mark Leno, Sister Chola

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence

Sister Vicious Power Hungry Bitch, California State Assemblyman Mark Leno, Sister Chola

Pope Dementia, Sister Flatulina, Chriss Hanner

 

 

 

 

San Francisco Drag Queen/Russian Refugee Natalie Ray and Queen Dillydally

San Francisco Drag Queen/Russian Refugee Natalie Ray and Queen Dillydally

 

 

 

Sister Roma, Donna Sachet

Sister Angelina, Sister Roma, Filmaker Monet Allard-Wilcox, Sister Rosemary Chicken

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence

Sister Angelina, Sister Roma, Filmmaker Monet Allard-Wilcox, Sister Rosemary Chicken

Sister Angelina, Sister Rosemary Chicken, Sister Roma

Sister Kay

Filmmaker Monet Allard-Wilcox and Sister Roma

California State Assemblyman Mark Leno

 

 

 

 

A special live performance by Honey Mahogany

Sister Vish, Pope Dementia, Sister Flatulina, Filmmaker Monet Allard-Wilcox, Sister Roma

Sister Vish, Pope Dementia, Sister Flatulina, Filmmaker Monet Allard-Wilcox, Sister Roma

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence

Sister Vish, Pope Dementia, Sister Flatulina, Filmmaker Monet Allard-Wilcox, Sister Roma

 

(r) Sister Maddie

(r) Sister Maddie

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence

Castro Theatre