Other Aliases:
Calvin Lavan Gipson
Pronouns:
He/Him
Background:
I am a Denver native and became Father Fukkit through my life journey as an ordained Black, queer. I first experienced The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence nearly 30-years ago while living in San Francisco admiring their joy, creativity and partnering in visible community work. My quest as Father Fukkit is to inspire, share the ability to overcome, stand tall as proud queer people and spread JOY!
As an Elder, I experienced race segregation in the Deep South, was the first generation to integrate the Denver Public Schools through forced bussing and race riots, and survived the AIDS pandemic in San Francisco. These experiences shaped my passion for civil rights, social justice and change, and has built a character of strength, resilience and community leadership.
I am the second Black American to serve as president of the San Francisco LGBT Pride Parade and Celebration, overseeing four parades and was selected by the community as Parade Grand Marshall.
I am a past-president of Frameline – The San Francisco LGBTQ+ International Film Festival, and helped launch the hit Black, queer TV series, Noah’s Arc. I also served on the board of directors, and was the Bass Section Leader for the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus.
I am on the NFL Denver Broncos Guest Relations team, served on the Mayor’s Denver Metro HIV Planning Council, which directs Ryan White HIV Federal funding to local service providers, and directed Brothas4Ever, a Black same-gender-loving HIV intervention program for the non-profit It Takes A Village.
As an ordained campus minister, I was forced out of the Church of Christ for being gay. I then worked as the right-hand man to civil rights leader, Rev. Cecil Williams at Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco.
At Glide, I directed a Daily Free Meals Program that served over six million free meals to the hungry during my tenure, and inspired the Oscar nominated film, “The Pursuit of Happyness”, starring Will Smith.
Religious Beliefs:
Ordained Spiritualist
Project:
As my Novice project I produced Denver’s World AIDS Day event entitled, “Reimagining World AIDS Day”. The program gave The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence a stage to lead a Veil and Blessing Ceremony. The program also included Aztec Indigenous Dancers, drag performers from the Colorado mountain town of Durango, The Denver Feminist Chorus, a recommitment to end HIV in Denver by Mayor Mike Johnston and a Kiki Ballroom performance by The House of Flora.
Active Status:
Start May 23, 2024
Novice December 7, 2024
Fully Professed May 5, 2025
Email:
fukkit@denverperpetualjoy.org
Social Media:
