There is no denying it! The historic Commercial Center and New Orleans Square, nicknamed Center Square, has been growing its tenants while also growing a diverse LGBTQ+ clientele.

The once very vacant New Orleans Square has been home to Las Vegas’ only transgender bar, the Las Vegas Lounge, for years and is now home to many more LGBTQ+ owned businesses and organizations. 

Gender Justice Nevada, an organization that fights for the dignity and protection of gender diversity, now has a home at the Center Square along with Alcoholics Together, a Las Vegas LGBTQ  A.A. homegroup. 

Another exciting addition includes the Sin Sity Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a 501c3 described as an order of 21st-century nuns dedicated to the promulgation of universal joy and the expiation of stigmatic guilt. The non-profit often raises funds for SADAP, their Sisters AIDS Drug Assistance Program, a program that benefits individuals who are experiencing financial hardships regarding their HIV and AIDS medication.

On Saturday, October 5 the Sin Sity Sisters held a special Project Nunway benefit for their HIV / AIDS medication program SADAP within the outdoor courtyard of the New Orleans Square. Despite the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada having their Honorarium and Iconorarium event on the same evening, the World of FairyTale benefit was able to bring the LGBTQ+ community out to help raise funds for this crucial program.

Project Nunway was created by Sister Baba Ganesh of the San Francisco House of The Worldwide Order of Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and Inspired by the late cinema master Federico Fellini’s 1972 film Roma and Bravo’s Project Runway. 

Project Nunway is now an annual fashion fundraiser that pairs Sisters with designers to create a high fashion look based on a theme, this year World of FairyTales. Designs are all made from recycled/unconventional materials. Project Nunway celebrates art, fashion, design, queer diversity and creativity, while providing a venue for new and talented designers and students. Project Nunway creates a platform to celebrate themselves or who they hope to be in the fashion world. Project Nunway challenges participants to create a look that celebrates Queer Nuns and innovative vision, encouraging creative designs that are made with little to no cash. 

The Sin Sity Sisters brought the tradition of Project Nunway to Las Vegas from San Francisco where the event originated. Project Nunway Las Vegas was able to raise funds for the Sisters AIDS Drug Assistance Program (SADAP). These funds will provide lifesaving medications to people living with HIV/AIDS. Designers,  design students, and artists fought for the Top Designer Award. 

The designers for the World of FairyTales evening of enchantment were Austin Mulvenon, Jordan Sarracino, Julio Cesar, Karl Nash Martinez, Matt Cox, Peggy Rogers, Ron Henderson, Ryan Barnes, Sister Coco B and Sister Odora. 

Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence from Las Vegas and around the US, and guests modeled the fashions including Sister Prudence, Postulant Loyalty, Novice Sister Maria, Aspirant Cecil, Sister Gloria, Sister Faith, Sister Loosy, Sister Ema, Guard Fortitude and Sister Odora. All models were draped in original designer creations that took to the fairytale-themed fashion runway. All helped celebrate extravagance, outrageous, and thought-provoking imagination and visionary prowess.

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The host for the evening was none other than LGBTQ+ community volunteer Jim McCoy who introduced various entertainers throughout the evening including Cris Lopez, Jamie Filippelli, Kevin Filippelli, Mr. Big Stuart, Nancy Good and Paige Genise. 

Upon entering the event you were greeted by whimsical ushers David Cigarman and John Stevens II under glittering lights and a two-story tall Tree of Life that was created by artist Laura Zollar who also designed the events World of Fairy Tales logo. 

Music was enjoyed by all underneath the stars and tree throughout the evening courtesy of DJ Carey Cowart.

The Judges that decided the winner of the Project Nunway Top Designer Award consisted of Alex King, Catherine Trifiletti, Jamie Filippelli, Laura Zollar, Nicci Maher-Imbert and Victor Rodriguez.

The winner of Project Nunway was fashion designer Ryan Barnes whose designs were modeled by Dan Duenas /Sister Ema.  

The Worldwide Order of Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence has been in existence and active since 1979. Over the years, the Sister organization has raised millions of dollars for local charities within each of our communities, supporting those affected by and living with HIV/AIDS. The Sin Sity Sisters have been in existence in Las Vegas since 2005. Aside from our charitable work, guilt-free play, we are also a 501c3 Nevada Non-Profit Organization. We are an Order of 21st Century Nuns dedicated to the promulgation of universal joy and the expiation of stigmatic guilt. Our ministry is one of public manifestation and habitual perpetration. We make people happy, stamp out guilt brought on by a judgmental society and help various organizations and charities, etc. If we can do this while raising money for charity and being our natural fabulous selves, then there is room for YOU to be as fabulous as you are and as you were meant to be.

MORE ABOUT SADAP? This program assists all individuals in the community regardless of race, age or gender. Eligibility for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) is determined by very strict financial guidelines. Drug assistance services (co-pays and procurement) are available for individuals whose income is less than 200% of the federal poverty level. Any client whose monthly income is above the 200% level is denied assistance with their drug needs. SADAP address the AIDS community of working poor that are just above the county standards. The grants will provide coordinated medical co-pays and drug assistance alternatives. 

WHO is our program for? SADAP is for individuals who are experiencing financial hardships regarding their HIV and AIDS medication. We assist those whose monthly income is less than 200% of the federal poverty level. Weather you have a new diagnosis, lost your job, or struggling financially - come talk to one of us and let us help you on the path to no shame, no guilt, happy fulfilling life. 

WHERE did SADAP come from? The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence were born in San Francisco in the earliest years of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Their mission was clear; comfort and assist individuals in their community who were sick and dying, and to boldly go where no nun had gone before to bring awareness of this horrific and ravaging disease to the common man. Years later, your Sin Sity Sisters are here to continue boldly seeking out new and distinctive ways of assisting those among us who are not so disabled that they want to give up all semblance of normalcy in their lives. 

WHY does SADAP exist? The Sisters are here as a service to their community. They desire to see everyone live in happiness to their fullest potential. No one should live in fear or shame because of an illness that has been deemed by society as a death sentence. It doesn’t have to be. Medications and research have come a long way and extend the quality of life for those who are living with this disease. The Sisters wanted to ensure that the needs of the HIV/AIDS community in Las Vegas was met for ALL persons - and that no one was discriminated against based on income. Just because someone may be below the poverty line, does not mean they do not deserve the same opportunity in life to manage their health. The Sisters are here to serve the community - here to serve you - her to spread joy, love, and pass no judgment or guilt. 

Since 2007 the Sin Sity Sisters has paid over $775,000.00 back to the Las Vegas community.