Pink, punk and pro-chastity

If Gwen Stefani and Janet Reno sent their love child to Loyola . . . PinkNun.com is run by a performance artist (apparently not a member of a vowed religious order, but hey) who got fed up with cultural commodification of sex, sexual violence, women and men feeling like they had no choice but to have sex, and all the other BS. Her solution: don a fuschia habit and promote a radical message of sexual continence as sign of and pathway to self-respect. Though Christian in origin, her message has wings in all directions, and seems to have made a particular splash in alternative communities. (You talk about punk cred: bump-toe, lug-sole guru John Fluevog designed a shoe inspired by the Pink Nun. Sigh. The day American Apparel drops the Theologienne tank top, my life will be complete.)

What I like about the site, aside from the sky-high camp factor and the links to feminist groups, is that the Pink Nun talks a good game. Unlike the McDonald's of abstinence programs, Silver Ring Thing, Sr. Pink doesn't hurry past why not to how not or, mostly, who else (everyone) is not. Actually, I wouldn't even characterize her message as "why not to"--it's more of a positive choice for self-respect and responsible behavior to self and others. Unlike icky critical-mass abstinence movements (here's a sweet parody that gives you the idea) Pink doesn't try to convince you that all the cool kids are doing what she says. She readily acknowledges that abstinence as self-respect is radical and that any culture as if sex were sacred will be a counter-culture. That's a huge part of her appeal. Furthermore, she's honest. By the grace of God, I hail from a state where sex ed involved educating kids about sex, not importuning them about why not to do it. But I bet no Texas sed ed tax sink musters like Sister on the perennial teen question of "How far, then?" (Her answer, reprinted by Theologienne for your edification: "When you're panting.")

The good Sister's tactics, not all as tongue-in-cheek as one might expect, include publishing personal testimonies, civil disobedience (printable anti-porn graffiti stickers) and anti-pressure slam poetry (sample lyric: "You do a little ditty/So you can pet my kitty;" and believe me when I'm telling you this is tame; check the rest out for yourself). One quibble: such a bold crusader should be ready to say more about homosexuality than basically "My ministry is for straight people." I suspect that's Pink's way of negotiating her social location in the (apparently evangelical) Christian and feminist communities, but speak out, Sister: whichever side you end up against might be called to listen by their respect for your ministry. Other than that: a pro-sex, pro-chastity message that encourages the voices of women and the concerns of men, wrapped in all the ridiculousness and dignity so human a topic demands? (waves hand frantically) Ooh, ooh! Sister, Sister!