In search of history

In search of to ensure GLBT history is not forgotten, the Order of Perpetual Indulgence will revisit our past on their annual colonial history walk.

The walk is a one of a series of guided tours of parts of Sydney and suburbs relevant to gay history.

“The tours include academic and anecdotal comment in a fun and relaxed atmosphere of information and irreverence with a fun group of nuns and friends,” Mother Premonstratensia said.

“It’s a long tradition in the Sydney house and an opportunity for the sisters to manifest en masse with community members involved in oral history.”

Part of the Mardi Gras festivities, the history walk is on March 4 at the Hyde Park Barracks. The excursion will revisit the era of the colonial sodomite.

“The history walk, while directed at the GLTB community, is in fact a very public and welcoming opportunity for all members of the wider Sydney community to get to try to understand some aspects of queer history,” Sister Salome of the Ninth Mystic Rhinestone said.

The order will also host a walk at Taronga Zoo on Thursday, March 4. The order promises to take you on an informative and slightly twisted stroll through the grounds.

“In addition to raising funds for the work of the zoo generally and assisting its volunteer program, it’s an opportunity for the order to manifest en masse publicly and to educate Mardi Gras visitors who might otherwise have little or no opportunity to see our unique fauna,” Mother Premonstratensia said.

While continuing to serve the community by providing humour, irreverence and alternative rituals for those excluded from Christianity and other faith communities by viciousness and victimisation, the order also plans to increase its public profile.

“In the current anti-gay climate of the mainstream churches and Islam and the decline in community awareness I see the sisters becoming increasingly more politicised and a repository of critical comment about issues affecting the GLBTQ community and the issues of faith,” Mother Premonstratensia said.

To join or request a blessing from the Order of Perpetual Indulgence, visit their website.

info: The colonial history walk starts at Hyde Park Barracks at 10am, Tuesday March 2. The Taronga Zoo tour is on  Thursday, March 4, at 8.15pm. Entry is $42 or $29 for concession. Bookings on www.Taronga.org.au For more details on the order, visit www.universaljoy.com.au.