University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Communication Studies Theses, Dissertations, and Communication Studies, Department of Student Research 5-2016 If We're Mocking Anything, It's Organized Religion: The Queer Holy Fool Style of The iS sters of Perpetual Indulgence Christina L. Ivey University of Nebraska-Lincoln, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/commstuddiss Part of the Critical and Cultural Studies Commons, Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Ethnicity in Communication Commons, and the Speech and Rhetorical Studies Commons Ivey, Christina L., "If We're Mocking Anything, It's Organized Religion: The Queer Holy Fool Style of The iS sters of Perpetual Indulgence" (2016). Communication Studies Theses, Dissertations, and Student Research. 36. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/commstuddiss/36 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Communication Studies, Department of at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Communication Studies Theses, Dissertations, and Student Research by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. IF WE’RE MOCKING ANYTHING, IT’S ORGANIZED RELIGION: THE QUEER HOLY FOOL STYLE OF THE SISTERS OF PERPETUAL INDULGENCE by Christina L. Ivey A DISSERTATION Presented to the Faculty of The Graduate College at the University of Nebraska In Partial Fulfillment of Requirements For the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Major: Communication Studies Under the Supervision of Professors Damien Smith Pfister and Carly S. Woods Lincoln, Nebraska May, 2016 IF WE’RE MOCKING ANYTHING, IT’S ORGANIZED RELIGION: THE QUEER HOLY FOOL STYLE OF THE SISTERS OF PERPETUAL INDULGENCE Christina L. Ivey, Ph.D. University of Nebraska, 2016 Advisors: Damien Smith Pfister and Carly S. Woods Asking questions in and about the often rough terrain at the intersection of sexuality/gender and religion/spirituality, this dissertation seeks to excavate the concept of queer holy fool style as a fitting response to dominant Judeo-Christian narratives that marginalize LGBTQ individuals. To do so, I utilize the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence (SPI), a drag performing community of “21st Century Nuns,” as a synechdoche; pulling examples of their communication and performances as evidence of queer holy fool style. In exploring three facets of stylistic study (embodied, textual/hypertextual, and sociological), I blend queer theoretical concepts (like camp, performativity, and disciplining) with rhetorical methodological frameworks (such as Burke’s [1969] four master tropes and parody). At the end of the analysis, I uncover counter narratives within the SPI’s communication featuring themes of sexual freedom, spirituality, and safety in coalescence. Throughout the dissertation, I continually ask questions regarding queer holy fool style – some I answer, others I do not – as an attempt to engage the reader with the work. In this way, I perform the playful, yet disruptive nature of queer theoretical work. I conclude with suggestions to extend the study of queer holy fool style; primarily, the inclusion of oral histories to identify intricacies within the style as well as an autoethnographic approach that would track the creation of an individual’s performance of the style. i DEDICATION For all the queer bodies who are struggling with their spirituality: You are loved. ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I am a firm believer that, though being told countless times to write a dissertation means to isolate yourself from the world, there is NO way that someone could write one of these on their own. The few weeks following the submission of my ‘final’ draft to my committee were spent reflecting on those relationships that helped me complete the project; and, since I was too self-focused during the writing, I would like to thank all of them now for their help. To Dr. Damien Smith Pfister: This dissertation would have never been completed without you. I cannot count the times that I emailed you, totally stressed out, worried about something that was not going as planned. I appreciate your patience during those moments, the kindness and wisdom undergirding your advice, and the way that I always left your office feeling as if things were better (even if they were not). Towards the end, your dedication to the project matched mine; I am fairly certain you were sending me revisions as quickly as I sent you revised manuscripts! Thanks for being the much needed push, while always reminding me that there is a light at the end of this tunnel. To Dr. Carly S. Woods: I did not visit your office as frequently as I did Damien’s; and yet, I always felt your support. I knew your office was the safe space to go to if all I needed was to sit and not speak – just sit in silence in the presence of someone who understood that sometimes, all we need is a moment to collect ourselves. For the dissertation, your knowledge of literature still astounds me! I could email you about anything, and you would just respond, “Well, if you want to read more about that, [insert several book titles here].” Two of my primary texts for this work (Young and iii Shuggart/Waggoner) came from you. In other words, while this dissertation may have been completed, it would not have been as informed (or as organized) without your guidance. Also, it would not follow Chicago as strictly as it should – thanks for being the style hammer and a walking library! To both of you: There are still no words to express my gratitude for all of the ‘real-life’ guidance you two have given me. You performatively demonstrated what it is like to be in a healthy, loving, academic partnership. You have helped me through one of the most difficult personal (as well professional) times in my life. I will miss the two of you terribly. The other members of my committee (Dr. Jordan Soliz and Dr. Emily Kayzak) were the picture of understanding. To Jordan, who insisted on asking at every defense “What is queer?”: my final answer is yes. Thanks for pushing me to define myself within my chosen subfield of Communication, and doing so playfully. Emily, thank you for the opportunity to work with you on your research. It was wonderful to catch a glimpse of research that I do not have extensive knowledge in due to my own area of study; it just demonstrated the depth of gender studies. Also, thanks for being a trooper when my topic switched! Both of you helped me situate this project in such a way that makes it more accessible across disciplines and paradigms; I am truly grateful. The completion of the dissertation has made me reflect on my entire academic career. There have been several teachers that have inspired me to push through some difficult situations to get to where I am today, and they deserve recognition in these acknowledgements. Judith Butler describes “fictive” kin as existing when a child, who is given role models to emulate, can be born not through conception, but through social iv construction. I feel as if all of these individuals have had a hand in transforming me into the person I am today. It began with Penny Burdette. Penny was the first teacher who knew what was going on in my life outside of the classroom, and she seemed to know exactly what to do. She opened her home to me. She gave me a space where I first discovered my voice. She and her husband provided an example of a loving relationship. The care and love she gave her children was the same care and love she expressed towards me. Penny – I was too young/immature/blind at the time to know, but being a teacher has revealed exactly what you did for me. I am forever grateful. Penny introduced me to Beth (Thomson) Huse, who guided me through oral interpretation. Her energy, patience, and kindness was so inviting that I traded in my high school weekends (usually getting at school at 5 AM) just to be a part of something she cared about so deeply. This developed into a love that would lead to college forensics, which became the reason I majored in Communication in college. Beth – you did not always get the credit you deserved because of other coaches on the team usually getting the spotlight. Know that I was your student on the team. When I began college, I left my fictive family at home and, luckily, picked up more fictive kin. Dr. David W. Crawford pushed me past my inhibitions and gave me the tools (and confidence) to tackle any obstacle that came my way. Jacque Shackelford is probably the dearest woman I know, and a teacher/person I hope to emulate. M’Liss Hindman picked up where Penny left off, providing me with a place to stay on nights when I was not sure where I would sleep. (I am also indebted to her for introducing me to my partner!) Janee McGoff, my lovable Jewish grandma, always knew exactly what to v say to make me laugh (primarily at myself) and encourage me to keep going. She also gives the best hugs ever! I have thanked Connie McKee more times than I can count, and I am still nowhere near close to rhetorically repaying her for everything she has done for me. Dr. Soo-Hye Han – I am so sorry, and yet so happy, that I was your first advisee. I knew you were the right fit for me; I wish I had been a better advisee. I never would have fallen in love with queer theory were it not for Dr. Stacey Waite. Thanks for telling me I was wrong in the nicest way ever.