This is an update with related information to my earlier post calling for an end to using Catholic religious women — i.e. sisters and nuns — as fodder for humor and cheap laughs.
- This promotional review of the performance provides several images of GMCW members dressed like nuns, singing and dancing.
- And this Washington Post story from earlier this month starts off with a reference to the “dancing nuns” rehearsing.
So, tell me again … why is it funny to make fun of Catholic religious women who have devoted their lives to doing good as nuns and sisters? Granted, many LGBT Catholics have legitimate beefs with the Catholic Church. Many of us feel rejected, unwelcome, and at times even demonized. But rarely, if ever, did this rejection come from religious women. In fact, it has been communities of religious sisters who have often stood up to the power of bishops and others and promoted an atmosphere of respect and welcome for gays and lesbians in the Church. So why is it funny that we repay them with such mockery?
The answer is, it isn’t. This isn’t funny, it’s not OK, and it should stop.
Image and Likeness 
The song is from the musical Nuncrackers Christmas – there have been five or so in the series of “Nunsense” musicals. While you’re entitled to your opinion, it’s worth sharing my experience of having seen real, live, Catholic nuns attend productions of those musicals…and, it seemed, they enjoyed themselves (gasp). The seriousness of religion as a subject shouldn’t prohibit the very real need to have moments of laughter about our own culture. I say this as a Christian and a gay. Simply put…please lighten up. http://nunsense.com/shows/nuncrackers.cfm
It’s also worth mentioning that the DC Gay Men’s Chorus has an outreach program that gives exposure to LGBT-affirming places of worship http://www.gmcw.org/outreach/partners-in-harmony/
I welcome and appreciate your perspective, but also wound direct you to the comment posted by Sr Jeannine Grammick. “Nunsense” is a musical comedy with plot and purpose. The skit in the GMCW production had neither.