SAN FRANCISCO (RNS) — The most popular Easter service in this capital of alternative living occurs not in church but on the sloping lawns of Dolores Park, where thousands show up in their Sunday best — which at the annual Hunky Jesus Contest can mean steampunk bonnets, a life-size Peep suit or, for those competing, elaborate (and usually scanty) Jesus and Mary costumes.
The event is hosted by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, the global nonprofit group of drag nuns founded in San Francisco on Easter Sunday 46 years ago. Over the years, “Hunky Jesus” has expanded from a small anniversary celebration for the sisters alone to a raucous, all-day affair. Today, the free festival includes a family egg hunt, musical acts and a “canonization” ceremony in which community members are recognized for service.
Today, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence have hundreds of members across the U.S. and in 14 countries. Made up of queer and trans individuals, the sisters are not affiliated with the Catholic Church or any official religious organization. But like traditional nuns, they do take lifelong vows of service and see their work as “ministry and outreach to those on the margins.”
The day’s biggest draw, of course, is its eponymous contest: A handful of co …