PHOTOS: The Hunky Jesus Contest brought Easter to life in San Francisco

Hallelujah, a multitude of messiahs have risen, and they are modeling lewks for days. Over the weekend, the Hunky Jesus contest, San Francisco’s premiere Easter event, returned to Dolores Park. Celebrating its 45th anniversary, the day-long celebration of non-denominational pageantry attracted thousands of spectators reclining on picnic blankets and sipping White Claws. Also always, this springtime tradition was produced by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, and its irreverence epitomizes the group’s core tenets.

“We believe all people have a right to express their unique joy and beauty,” the sisters proudly proclaim on their website. “Since our first appearance in San Francisco on Easter Sunday, 1979, the Sisters have devoted ourselves to community service, ministry and outreach to those on the edges, and to promoting human rights, respect for diversity and spiritual enlightenment. We use humor and irreverent wit to expose the forces of bigotry, complacency and guilt that chain the human spirit.”

Kicking off at 10 am, the festivities began with the 29th Annual Family Easter, which featured an egg drop, bunny run relay games, story time, a special performance by Cheer SF, and, of course, an appearance by the Easter Bunny. As the afternoon progressed, the event’s vibe grew more mature as emcees Honey Mahogany and Sister Roma took to the main stage to present performers like Kat Robichaud, Sister Phyliss, House of Pack, and Sugar Bear.

But the highlight of the day was its series of competitions, including the Easter Bonnet contest, Foxy Mary, and of course, Hunky Jesus.

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“What Jesus are you?” Sister Roma asked each Hunky contestant, whose themes spanned from tie-dye-clad anti-war muscle stud to divine disco diva. But this Easter’s Hunky Jesus winner tapped into the doll-core zeitgeist with his Jesus Ken ensemble, which sported bootie shorts and a pink crown of thorns framed in a giant Barbie box.

We’ve snatched some unholy images of our favorite muscly messiahs and not-so-virgin Marys for those who missed the fun.

Photography by Mike Ciriaco