Sister Roma: The Habit of Radical Joy

Tigerlily Pictures' documentary Hunky Jesus will world premiere as the opening night feature of BFI Flare Festival's 40th edition on 18th March in London. The film follows San Francisco's iconic Easter celebration hosted by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence; a queer and trans nun order blending drag, activism, fundraising and irreverent wit to champion social justice for over four decades. Hosted by Sister Roma and Honey Mahogany, and partially narrated by George Takei, the film weaves archival material, theatrical visuals and first-hand anecdotes from the 2023 event, presenting the Sisters as cultural trailblazers whose message of "radical joy" feels especially resonant amid ongoing global debates around identity, faith and free expression .

Ahead of the world premiere of Hunky Jesus, we sat down with the legendary drag nun, community warrior and San Francisco’s most fabulous holy terror, Sister Roma. She’s spent nearly 40 years in the habit: fighting the AIDS crisis in war paint, holding a mirror to organised religion’s worst impulses, and insisting that radical joy is not a luxury but a form of resistance.

Roma — before the habit, before the whiteface, who were you?

My experience with nuns started at birth. I was surrendered to a Catholic adoption agency, my first caregivers were Catholic nuns. It is kind of ironic 22 years later I would move to San Francisco, meet the Sisters, and become a queer nun myself.

Growing up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, I was class president all four years, involved in theatre and student government, and went to a private Catholic college. But in four years of Catholic education I never once did anything civic-minded or charity-driven. I was pretty much self-centred.

I moved to San Francisco and lived hedonistically for the first two years. Then I met the Sisters through my friend Norman, who was Sister Luscious Lashes. I was at a bar called the Midnight Sun when she walked in — this gorgeous clown showgirl nun. I learned about the important activism and work around HIV and AIDS the Sisters had done. I started to volunteer as my secular self and became immediately impressed by their bravery and compassion. It was like my head and my heart exploded and I realised: oh my god, I care! I joined immediately in 1987, so I’ve been in the habit for almost 40 years.

Catholic school nuns — the terrifying sort, or the subversive kind?

I grew up “Catholic light,” but in college it was a Jesuit school where nuns were primary educators. I learned there were two types. There were those who were extremely devout, followed all the rules, and didn’t like to be challenged — I once asked a sister about speaking in tongues and she snapped at me, saying it was an “extremely personal question.”

But then there were other nuns — many of whom I think were lesbians — who worked in women’s shelters and were more approachable. They seemed to have a higher understanding of how Christianity is a fluid, personal relationship. That humility, rather than piety, is much more in line with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.

You seem angrier — in the most fabulous sense — than ever. Is righteous fury the secret to your longevity?

When I joined in 1987, there was a lot of justified anger because we were dying and no one cared. The Sisters were pioneers in HIV/AIDS education and prevention. My first makeup in the 80s was like war paint — severe angles and bright colours — because we were at war. We taught the world how to deal with a plague with compassion and pragmatic care.

We reached a point where it felt like things were headed in the right direction, especially after the United States Supreme Court decision on same-sex marriage. But the further we pushed, the more the other side pushed back. They’ve learned how to influence and activate, using their “moral high ground” to push legislation through. They are criminalising and dehumanising the trans community and drag. It’s disappointing to feel like we’re back here again. But a younger generation that was complacent is now waking up. As Cleve Jones says: if you take it for granted, they will take it away.

What does it feel like to see forty-plus years of Sisters’ history up on a cinema screen?

The director, Jennifer, did something no one else could do. She showed up with five cameras, three drones, and professional sound. She created a beautiful feature documentary that is a love letter to San Francisco. It shows the unapologetic authenticity of the queer community. San Francisco has always been a beacon for those who feel “othered,” and as rights are being taken away in states like Texas and Florida, I feel people will turn to San Francisco once again for hope.

For a long time, London was at the top of my list of places to visit. I finally went a few years ago for a show at the Royal Albert Hall with Peaches Christ, the most magical experience. Now, three years later, our documentary is opening BFI Flare, which is mind-blowing and humbling.

Easter is high camp. The dramatic tale of glory and betrayal, the miracle at the tomb, the angels, the palm fronds, the bonnets, the pastel colour palette — it’s all so fabulous and very gay. Jesus is the hero in that story and Hunky Jesus is our hero. This film is queer, campy fun that celebrates the trademark creativity, sense of humour, and joy of LGBTQ+ culture and captures the glorious sense of community at the heart of the Hunkey Jesus day. 

Is the Hunky Jesus contest an act of exorcism — drawing the poison of shame out by making it ridiculous, then magnificent?

Hunky Jesus is an extension of the Sisters’ vows. We take vows to expedite stigmatic guilt and promulgate universal joy. There is a misconception that we are mocking God or nuns, but that is not true. The Sisters are very spiritual.

We have a problem when people weaponise religion to oppress others. The Sisters hold a mirror to the homophobia, misogyny, and racism that can come from organised religion. Hunky Jesus sets people’s spirits free. It is a “pie in the face” to oppressors who tell us we are sinners. We want people to know that the religion you follow dictates how you live — not how I live. Christians don’t own Easter or Jesus; it’s a universal gift. This is a queer and trans reclamation of spirituality and joy, and we do it with a fierce style that has laughter, joy and the fun of living at its heart. 

The film arrives at a loaded moment. Does it carry a responsibility as well as a joy — is it a dispatch from the front, or a love letter?

It’s both. San Francisco has always been a beacon for those who feel othered — a place queer people looked to when their own towns offered nothing. The film can go everywhere the event cannot. As rights are being taken away, I feel people will turn to San Francisco once again for hope. Hunky Jesus can be that: a reminder that we were here, we fought, we danced, and we are not going anywhere.

The Sisters have always stood at the edges with the people at the edges — that’s literally in the founding mission. The film shows the unapologetic authenticity of the queer community, and presents the Sisters as cultural trailblazers whose message of radical joy resonates at exactly this moment of renewed global debate around identity, faith, and freedom of expression.

How do you talk to queer people who have some degree of safety or privilege about what genuine allyship actually looks like?

People have evolved. We are giving the world the tools and words — like gender fluidity and pronouns — to help them understand who we are. Privilege is real. I’ve always recognised mine and tried to use it for good. Sometimes you have to point out to people that they are coming from a place of privilege.

I wish more people could approach the world with curiosity instead of fear. Fear is a tool used by the far right to manipulate people. Equality is called equality because it is equal for everybody.

Beyond the red carpet — do you have a favourite spot in London?

Not yet, but I want to find it. I loved the V&A museum. And I love the British accent, the thicker the better.

If the world is only getting one thing from Sister Roma today - what’s the sermon?

Just love yourselves. Once you realise you’re doing your best, give yourself a break and live your damn life, because it is such a gift. Don’t let anyone tell you that who you are is wrong. Live your life and let your light shine.

Hunky Jesus has its world premiere at BFI Flare, London, on 18th March 2026. Tickets for this and full festival info at whatson.bfi.org.uk/flare