Sisters Fight Global Homophobia

The national premiere of a documentary about San Francisco's Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence will be the highlight of a star-studded evening benefitting refuge and asylum for persecuted LGBTQ people in Chechnya, Russia.

"Stilettos for Shanghai," an hour-long film about the Sisters including their 2014 visit to Shanghai Pride, will highlight the August 7 event at the Castro Theatre. Following the film there will be a Q&A with filmmaker Monet Allard-Wilcox and Sisters from Shanghai, hosted by San Francisco's Sister Roma, who organized this event.

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, created in 1979 in San Francisco, is an order of queer nuns who devote themselves to community service, ministry and outreach to those on the edges; to promoting human rights, respect for diversity and spiritual enlightenment; and fundraising for those in need.

In addition to the movie premiere, the evening includes a live performance by drag superstar Honey Mahogany, and pre-show guest speakers including LGBT politicians Mark Leno and Tom Ammiano; the executive director of the African Human Rights Coalition, Melanie Nathan; and Russian refugee and drag queen Natalie Ray.

Sister Roma said in a statement that earlier this year, "Shocking news broke that gay men were being rounded up and held in concentration camp-like prisons in Chechnya, Russia." Reports were that more than 100 men were detained, beaten, electrocuted, tortured, and at least three were killed, she said.

"Russian 'investigations' have turned up very little information as the conservative, Kremlin-backed government claims that the allegations are false because no homosexuals exist in the region," according to Sister Roma. Proceeds from the evening will benefit the Organization for Refuge, Asylum, and Migration (ORAM) and Rainbow Railroad, which works directly with the Russian LGBT network to provide refuge and asylum for persecuted LGBTQ people in Chechnya.

ORAM, founded in 2008, specializes in the protection of exceptionally vulnerable refugees, including LGBT people. Rainbow Railroad works closely with the Russian LGBT Network, a non-governmental organization currently leading the campaign to rescue those facing danger in Chechnya. Based in Canada, the organization has asked the Canadian government to provide direct assistance to LGBTQ people in need.

Attendees who purchase VIP tickets at $100-$150 will get reserved seats and are also invited to a cocktail reception on the mezzanine, where they can meet the evening's special guests.

"There is tremendous excitement in the community about this event," said Sister Roma in a telephone interview. "Putting it together has been a dream of mine, and I am gratified by the support and enthusiasm by everyone we have approached. It feels like everyone I speak with wants to support the cause. We've all been horrified by news of the #Checnya100. We have created this event to give people a way to help."

San Francisco filmmaker Monet Allard-Wilcox, who spent four years making the film, told the B.A.R. in a telephone interview she was "thrilled" that the Sisters allowed her to accompany them to China, where much of the footage was shot.

"Footage of the Sisters in face and costume walking the streets of Shanghai is a visual and social delight," said Allard-Wilcox. "As you will see in the film, the Sisters made a huge impression on the LGBT community in Shanghai."

A media manager at ABC News in San Francisco, Allard-Wilcox was fascinated by the Sisters, and mentioned to a friend that she'd love to do a documentary about them. After the Sisters approved her proposal to make a film about them, a contingent of Sisters was invited to Shanghai for Pride in 2014. They invited the first-time filmmaker to join them. Using her own money, Wilcox spent hundreds of hours completing the film, which was screened in China to an enthusiastic audience, she said. The Castro screening will be the first in the U.S., followed by a tour of film festivals and commercial release.

Before the film was complete, Wilcox screened it for an audience of San Franciscans who "absolutely loved it," she said. "We were very gratified to see that people who weren't that familiar with the Sisters enjoyed seeing their story. I am honored to be a part of this project. "

Seth Rosenberg, a straight ally who has been an enthusiastic supporter of Rainbow Railroad, discussed his support for the event in a telephone interview. A venture capitalist who formerly worked at Facebook, Rosenberg founded a local chapter of Rainbow Railroad after he learned about the persecution of LGBT people in Chechnya.

"It's an amazing cause," said Rosenberg. "There are very few things you can donate to that can actually save a life." With all the problems the U.S. is facing right now, "we are still lucky to be living here." In places such as Chechnya, just being gay "can literally put your life at risk. I hope people will support the Aug. 7 event, and if it speaks to their heart, they'll become more interested in getting involved in causes they care about."

B.A.R. publisher Michael Yamashita said that the newspaper is the exclusive media sponsor of the Aug. 7 event, providing print and online promotional support.

"We are looking forward to the premiere screening of 'Stilettos for Shanghai.' The B.A.R. is proud to work with Sister Roma and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and their effort to fight homophobia. Once again San Francisco is a leader in the fight for equality. We cannot be complacent against the frightening rise of intolerance and persecution of LGBTQ people in this country and the world," said Yamashita.

Tickets for "Stilettos for Shanghai for Chechnya," Aug. 7, begin at $10. Doors open at 5 p.m., VIP fundraiser at 6 p.m., event at 7 p.m. Info: ticketfly.com/event/1517739-stilettos-for-shanghai-for-san-francisco/