The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence in Context: LGBTQ+ Activism, Christian Traditions of Care, and Queer Medievalisms

An intersectional, interdisciplinary conference drawing together religious studies, queer studies, the history of Christian social care, LGBTQ+ activism in the community, and ‘popular medievalisms’. Keynote lecture on 21 March, 5:00 pm, by Miles Pattenden (University of Oxford) and Michael Barbezat (Australian Catholic University): The Cult of Gay Relics and Queer Medievalism: The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence in 1980s Sydney. Symposium on 22 March, including presentations on current research, a conversation with Sister Lida Christ from the Boston chapter of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, and a faculty roundtable featuring Michael Bronski (Harvard University), Kersti Francis (Boston University), Amy Hollywood (Harvard Divinity School), and Anna Wilson (Harvard University). Sponsored by the Commmittee on Medieval Studies and the Harvard Divinity School. This event is free and open to the public, but space is limited; please click here to register.

Details for attendees: 

Swartz Hall is a large stone building that faces Francis St with a modern extension. We are in the older part of the building. See image of building and details here. The location is about a 20min walk from Harvard Sq station or the 77 bus, north of the Harvard College quad and the Science Center. Lyfts and Ubers should be given the “45 Francis St” address. Parking on site is by permit only.

Important note: Entry to Swartz Hall is only possible by swiping a Harvard ID. Since many attendees are not Harvard affiliates, our assistant Dolan Gallagher will be waiting at the entrance before and after conference sessions to swipe people in. Her contact information will be made available to registrants in case you need to get in at a different time.

Schedule:

Thursday, March 21st:

5pm-6:30pm:

Joint keynote by Michael Barbezat (Australian Catholic University) and Miles Pattenden (Oxford University): The Cult of Gay Relics and Queer Medievalism: The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence in 1980s Sydney.

6:30-8: Catered reception.

Friday, March 22nd

10:00-10:30 – coffee.

10:30-12: Presentations on current research:

Philip Liston-Kraft, Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures (Harvard), "Baby Come on Light My Fire: Christina von Hane, the Infant Jesus, and the Struggle for Celibacy."

Karina Yum, Harvard Divinity School, “Coming Out as Evangelical, Converting to Queerness”

Maddison Tenney, Harvard Divinity School, “Cursing the Fig Tree: A Queer-Mormon Ethic of Care from Matthew 21”

Jake Krueger, Harvard Divinity School alumnus, “Frolicking in Faerieland: A Queer Pilgrimage Experience”

12-1:30pm: Lunch (catered, buffet-style).

1:30-3pm – Interview and Q&A with Sister Lida Christ of the Boston Chapter of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.

3-3:30pm – Coffee.

3:30pm-5pm – The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence in Context: A Faculty Roundtable. Speakers: Anna Wilson (Harvard University English); Kersti Francis (Boston University Society of Fellows); Michael Bronski (Harvard University  Studies of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies), Amy Hollywood (Harvard Divinity School).