Abstract
The Sin Sity Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Records (2005-2025) contain organizational records of the Sin Sity Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, an LGBTQ+ charity and advocacy organization in Las Vegas, Nevada. The records include agendas and meeting minutes, financial records, press material, awards, and certificates of appreciation for the organization. Also included are financial records for the organization's annual Red Dress charity fundraiser and the Sisters AIDS Drug Assistance Program (SADAP), the grant fund that provides financial assistance to AIDS/HIV patients. Materials also include photographs of the Sin Sity Sisters at events including their annual Red Dress gala.
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Scope and Contents Note
The Sin Sity Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Records (2005-2025) contain organizational records of the Sin Sity Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, an LGBTQ+ charity and advocacy organization in Las Vegas, Nevada. The records include agendas and meeting minutes, financial records, press material, awards, and certificates of appreciation for the organization. Also included are financial records for the organization's annual Red Dress charity fundraiser and the Sisters AIDS Drug Assistance Program (SADAP), the grant fund that provides financial assistance to AIDS/HIV patients. Materials also include photographs of the Sin Sity Sisters at events including their annual Red Dress gala.
Access Note
Collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
This material is made available to facilitate private study, scholarship, or research. The donor, the Sin Sity Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, retains all copyrights for materials in the MS-00873 the Sin Sity Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Records (MS-00873). However, some material may be protected by copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity rights, or other interests not owned by the Sin Sity Sisters. Users are responsible for determining whether permissions are necessary from rights owners for any intended use and for obtaining all required permissions. Acknowledgement of the UNLV University Libraries is requested. For more information, please see the UNLV Special Collections policies on reproductions and use or contact us at special.collections@unlv.edu.
Arrangement
Materials are arranged loosely by topic or format.
Biographical / Historical Note
The Sin Sity Sisters are the Las Vegas, Nevada chapter of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a charity and advocacy group dedicated to promote joy and fight against the stigma of sexual intolerance. Through drag and religious imagery, the Sisters use their ministry to serve the LGBTQ+ community in Las Vegas to fight for queer rights and safer sex outreach. The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence were founded in San Francisco, California in 1979 and the Holy Order Sin Sister Sisters were founded in Las Vegas in June 2005. The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence have over thirty chapters in the United States and they participate in issues such as AIDS education, political activism, and protest for the queer community.
A main mission of the Sin Sity Sisters is to raise money for the Sisters AIDS Drug Assistance Program (SADAP), which offers financial assistance to HIV/AIDS patients. The group advocates for queer rights and visibility, and safer sex outreach to the Las Vegas community. The Sin Sity Sisters have become well-known in the Las Vegas community for their "bar ministry," where they hand out "safe sin sacks" with packets of materials for safer sex. The Sisters attend HIV/AIDS events and fundraisers and generate awareness for AIDS/HIV education and advocacy. Their primary fundraisers, which raise money for the drug assistance program, are the annual Project Nunway fashion show and the annual Red Dress event.
Sources:
Peterson, Kristen. "Sisters Acts."
Pryzbys, John. "Runway show benefits Holy Order Sin Sity Sisters nonprofit."
Sin Sity Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. "Holy Order Sin Sity Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Inc." Accessed June 27, 2025. http://sinsitysisters.org/.
Preferred Citation
Sin Sity Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Records, 2005-2025. MS-00873. Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Acquisition Note
Materials were transferred from the Nevada State Museum and Library in 2017 and in 2021; accession numbers 2017-159, 2021-084. Materials were donated by the Sin Sity Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence in 2025; accession numbers 2025-054 and 2025-082.
Processing Note
In 2018, Tammi Kim minimally processed the collection during accessioning and created the finding aid in ArchivesSpace. In 2021, Tammi Kim minimally processed the 2021 addition and updated the finding aid. In 2025, Tammi Kim rehoused the 2025 addition and updated the finding aid and Elaina Rieck transcribed captions for the photographs into an electronic inventory. Descriptions created by Dennis McBride and the Sin Sity Sisters were retained and used to create the inventory. Sarah Jones added the second 2025 addition.
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Appraisal Note
Acquired by Su Kim Chung, curator, as part of UNLV Special Collections and Archives holdings in the history of the LGBTQIA+ community in Southern Nevada.