By Sister Prudence // Photography by Curtis J. Walker

There are moments in our Sister journey when time seems to stop; when laughter, tears, and sequins collide in the most extraordinary way. For the Sin Sity Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Conclave 2025 was exactly that moment.

This year, our desert home became the epicenter of Sisterhood as more than 40 Sisters from around the world gathered in Las Vegas for a week of reflection, joy, service, and celebration. From Berlin to Montreal, Los Angeles to Minnesota, Austin to Boston, Seattle to San Francisco, Cincinnati to Dallas, Savannah to St. Louis, Sisters from across the globe united to honor our shared mission: to spread joy, expiate stigmatic guilt, and remind the world that love and community can outshine even the darkest storms.

Conclave 2025 was not just an event, it was a pilgrimage. The Sin Sity Sisters, celebrating 20 years of service, opened our arms, our Nunnery, and our hearts to welcome our visiting Sisters home to Las Vegas. From the moment the week began, the energy was undeniable. The air buzzed with excitement as Sisters arrived in full regalia and radiant color, ready to take part in everything from Pride Family Bingo to The Pride Parade, The Pool Party, and our decadent grand finale, Absolution.

The week’s programming blended activism with indulgence. The Sisters worked side-by-side with Las Vegas PRIDE, participated in community outreach, and reminded everyone that our glitter has purpose. Pride Family Bingo kicked off the festivities at Area15, where Sisters from around the world called numbers, performed, and connected with our Vegas community. It was laughter, love, and a little chaos, in the most fabulous way possible.

But perhaps one of the most emotional moments came not in celebration, but in adaptation. On the night of the Pride Parade, the heavens opened and rain poured down, washing the streets of Las Vegas in a shimmer of light and resilience. The parade may have been canceled, but our spirits were not. Instead of letting the storm dampen the night, we did what Sisters do best, we pivoted.

We gathered instead at The Phoenix Bar, where the energy transformed into something truly sacred. What began as disappointment became a profound reminder of why we do what we do. In that intimate space, surrounded by love and laughter, Sister Cristina Deborah Scarlett von Hohenberg from the Berlin House gave a heartfelt blessing to Mr. Las Vegas Pride 2026, a moment that moved everyone present. Her words transcended language and distance, reminding us that Pride is not a parade, it’s a promise.

For many of us, Conclave was the first chance in years to reunite with Sisters from other Houses. Seeing familiar faces from across continents, Berlin, Montreal, LA, Boston, and beyond, was an emotional reminder of how far our mission has reached.

There were hugs that lasted minutes, tears that came unannounced, and laughter that echoed through the streets. Each story shared was a thread woven into a larger tapestry of compassion and resilience. Whether it was catching up over brunch, preparing for the evening’s events, or helping a visiting Sister glue a stray gem back in place, the spirit of Sisterhood was palpable.

At the Sin Sity Sisters’ Nunnery, our home base throughout the week, Sisters prepared for events, reconnected, and reflected. Mirrors, makeup kits, and heart-to-hearts filled the space with love and light. This wasn’t just about dressing up, it was about showing up. For each other, for our community, and for every soul who’s ever needed a reminder that they belong.

And while the rain tested us, it also united us. Standing together in our soaked habits, glitter running down our faces, we realized something profound: we were never just marching for Pride, we were marching for perseverance.

One of the highlights of the week was our Conclave Photoshoot, captured by the incredible Curtis Joe Walker (@cjwtheartist). The shoot took place across some of the most iconic Las Vegas landmarks; the Neon Boneyard and the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign, each setting the perfect backdrop for our radiant chaos.
Curtis captured not just images, but energy. His lens told the story of what it means to be a Sister: the balance between reverence and rebellion, glamour and grit. Every image speaks of power, visibility, and beauty born from resilience.

The photos remind us that while our makeup may fade and our costumes may change, our purpose remains eternal. To serve. To uplift. To love fiercely.

The week culminated in the Absolution Party, our signature celebration of sin and salvation. In partnership with Las Vegas PRIDE, Absolution brought together the community for a night of performance, passion, and pure joy.

Held at The Usual Place, the event was nothing short of spectacular. Music pulsed, lights danced, and the air was thick with laughter and liberation. The community joined us to celebrate individuality, sexuality, and the freedom to live boldly and unapologetically.

Absolution wasn’t just a party, it was a statement! As our global Sisterhood stood together on stage, surrounded by the very community we serve, we felt the magnitude of our shared purpose. We’ve come a long way from humble meetings in small community centers. Today, we stand as global ambassadors of love, visibility, and acceptance.

And as the night came to a close, there was no mistaking it, this wasn’t the end of Conclave. It was a new beginning.

Conclave 2025 was more than just a gathering; it was a mirror held up to who we are and who we’ve become. It reminded us that activism can be joyful, that unity can be loud, and that even when plans change, the mission remains.

To every Sister who traveled miles, to every volunteer who helped us shine, and to every member of the community who showed up—we thank you. You are the reason the Sin Sity Sisters continue to thrive after 20 years of service.

As we look back on Conclave 2025, we’re filled with pride, love, and gratitude. We may have started as a handful of nuns in a desert city, but we’ve grown into a global force for good. And if this Conclave taught us anything, it’s that no matter where we come from, when we come together, magic happens.

Here’s to the next 20 years of service, sass, and Sisterhood.

And as we like to say… Go forth and sin some more!

This article was originally published in the 2025 Holiday Issue of Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine, and can be read in its original format here.