Rainbow Cafe Gala

It's that time of year again! The SOIL Sisters were featured participants in the annual RC Gala, recognizing the work of the Rainbow Cafe and helping to raise money for the organization.

Sister Fagatha Hardness, albeit in their more mundane manifestation, was present to provide the year-in-review report as the outgoing chair of the board of directors. Seriously, that nun is so busy in our community and has had to take a brief respite from manifesting, but you know they are still doing the werk! Congratulations on an amazing three-year run (right up to term limits!) as board chair for this vital resource center, Abbess!

Sister Gay Bitch Milkshake delivered the blessing. She is getting so good at those! This was one of their best--all about gardens and growing things long and thick--delicious! Plus, they provided a little goodhearted shade for last year's Gala catering--a tease made possible because this year's catering by Cristaudo's was divine! Although, we're pretty sure next year's blessing might include some shade for more staffing at the bar.

Sister Mothra Stewart ran a live auction, selling art by Kendra Keefer and Shannon Green, goading some bidding-war competition to get those prices up and bring in funds for the Rainbow Cafe and confirmation for the artists. After the auction, a participant pointed out that Sr Mothra claimed the auctions provided guilt-free purchasing but then used guilt to get folks to bid. Sr Mothra pointed out that while the purchasing was guilt-free, the failure to bid on items was not. Isn't that how a charity auction works?

Shout out to Carrie Vine and Sandy Pensoneau-Conway and all the other folks at Rainbow Cafe for putting on an amazing event. The Gala remains a highlight of the year and evidence of the good work advocating for and supporting the LGBTQ community in Southern Illinois.