On Saturday, May 18, Point Nun Sister Eunice was joined at The Convent by Sister Sandra Musique and Novice Sister Rachael Equality for communal facing. Srs. Eunice and Sandra donned the very traditional Boston Sisters nun formal, and NSr. Rachael was decked out in stylish black boots, jazzy-snazzy designer black hose, a sweet-n-sassy leather corset, and a gorgeous white veil wrapped over her shoulders and with both ends slipped down within the corset – an amazing look. The three of us were also met by Saint Mega Pixel and Altered Girl Kelly (cc’d, in her 1st volunteer effort, yay Kelly!). Kelly wore a Black-Swan princess dress of her own design and creation! We struck out from The Convent on time at 5:45 PM and after a casual stroll up the Commonwealth Avenue Mall, through the Public Garden, across the Commons, and around the churches and graveyards. We arrived after many photo opportunities at City Hall.
Once on site for the event, we worked the exterior line of 22-and-under, soon-to-be dance-partiers from end to end. Unlike last year, when we most likely appeared simply as weird, kabuki drag queens, this year the message of NUN rang through loud and clear. So many of the young and proud smiled and complimented us, asked us for pictures, and even listened patiently and with sincere interest in our story. We took a post at the doors to say hello to each one as they entered Boston City Hall for the evening, and we again stood at the doors to say goodnight as they left, also manning the table loaded with condoms (male and female) and lube, to make sure that any one of them with half a prayer of having sex would do so as reasonably protected as they would choose to be. In between, we floated through the event and kept very busy, including Kelly who demonstrated great intuition for how to be in the right place whenever someone might need her.
When it was after 11:00 PM and finally time to return to The Convent, at the last moment Sr. Eunice decided not to travel back the way we had come, but rather to head down around towards Charles Street. The strong urge was rationalized in part by some trepidation about so few of us walking across the Commons in the dark so late at night. Within a block, we encountered fresh from the prom a very young drag queen called Crystal (sp?) who was trying unsuccessfully to reach someone on her cell phone and looking increasingly distressed. We learned that she was from Waltham and that her contacts there (counselors, chaperons, ???) had left her to fend for her own way home. Thinking quickly, NSr. Rachael and her smart phone figured out that Crystal could take the Red Line to Central Square and catch an express bus home, and so we escorted her to the T-Stop. Kelly was so sweet to offer to give her a ride instead, but I think it was appropriate for us to get her safely as far as we did. Kelly did take her phone number and later confirmed that she met up with a friend and did make it safely.
One other story I can relate – while I was in the back patio area of City Hall watching the young GLBT smoke or get fresh air or both, I met at the barrier to the cement lawn a much older gentleman who heard the music and saw the crowd and was curious as to what was happening. It turns out Ken was a teacher in Boston for 35 years, and in addition to his academic classed he also took responsibility in 3d period for the most troubled kids in school. Some were class skippers, others into drugs, others struggling with demons such as obesity, bullying, and sexuality or gender identity. Ken was progressive and ahead of his time, and he told me some amazing stories about some of the young people he helped, and about how many years later he came in one way or another to find out about their life successes or tragedies. He teared up while we spoke and took me right there with him. Damn my predilection towards water colors around the eyes! He was so happy about the prom, and he took my number suggesting we should chat again. I hope to hear from him, and I think he would be a fabulous guest speaker for our house. Truly inspiring.
The evening was beautiful, the young GLBT were fabulous and fearless in their self-expression, we were recognized for our assistance and clearly appreciated by our patrons, and there was much rejoicing.
Blessed be!
Sister Eunice