Changing the Course of LGBT History Through Music
Since the original 115 members first sang on the steps of San Francisco City Hall in 1978, The San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus has not only persevered in the face of persecution and intolerance, but we have also inspired an LGBT choral movement around the world.
Over 2,000 members have sung with the chorus since that first day over 40 years ago and we’re still going strong.
The Beginning of a Movement
In the fall of 1978, Jon Reed Sims founded the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus. His original mission was simple: to include more music in the local Gay Freedom Day Parade.
But when over 100 singers came to the first rehearsal, it became clear that something much bigger was about to happen.
Less than one month after that first rehearsal, Supervisor Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in California, and San Francisco Mayor George Moscone, were assassinated in front of City Hall.
On the evening of the assassination, over 100 members of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus attended a candlelight vigil along with thousands of shocked and grieving San Franciscans.
The chorus sang Mendelssohn's "Thou, Lord our Refuge" that night which marked our first ever public performance.
First National Tour
Fast forward to June, 1981, just after being awarded the key to the city by San Francisco Mayor Dianne Feinstein, we embarked on our first national tour along with The Bay Area Women’s Brass Quartet.
We traveled across the United States, performing in Texas, Minnesota, Nebraska, Michigan, New York, Massachusetts, Washington, D.C., Washington state and then back home to San Francisco.
The tour was a tremendous success as it not only gave us a chance to sing all over the country, but it also changed lives.
For many gay men, it was the first time they had the opportunity to be a part of something big and come together in public to share a fun experience.
Parents who attended the concerts with their children were moved by our voices and began opening their minds and hearts toward accepting and understanding gay and lesbian relationships.
It was on this tour that we realized our full potential to become a national activist organization, changing lives through music.
SPARKING A MUSICAL MOVEMENT
That first national tour helped spark the creation of other LGBT choruses across the United States.
Today there are thousands of other LGBT choruses and bands not only across the United States but all over the world.
Not only are these musical groups a safe space for LGBT individuals, but they are a political act as well, adding their voices to help change the course of queer history.
By singing together, we are actively challenging the heteronormative status quo and refusing to stay quietly in the closet.
A Community for All
Despite our name, the chorus is not limited to only gay men. We are firmly committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and open our arms to any and all persons who can sing in tenor or bass range, irrespective of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or race.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
On a mission to promote acceptance, awareness, and inclusivity as well as a love of music, we participate in a number of community outreach programs.
Our members are dedicated to bringing their creative energy to young people in the San Francisco Bay area.
RHYTHM
Reaching Youth Through Music (RHYTHM) brings the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus into Bay Area elementary, middle, and high schools to spread a message of love, inclusivity, acceptance, and strength.
Our Outside Voices curriculum is a supplement to the RHYTHM program that can be used in conjunction with it as an educational experience that promotes community development and encourages constructive social change.
Through the use of their bold outside voices, children have the flexibility to convert their own personal tales into performance art pieces.
Give ‘Em Hope Awards
Inspired by Harvey Milk’s moving “Hope” speech, the Give ‘Em Hope Awards provide five young artists with a $1,500 prize to support their artistic projects that focus on the theme of hope.
The awards are designed to serve under-resourced and diverse communities and are open to all young artists under the age of 25.
Past winners have choreographed and performed dances, written and performed songs, composed and read poetry, and created evocative visual art pieces.
The Chorus Today
We are firmly committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and today have over 300 active chorus members who share our passion for music and our mission to change the lives of LGBT individuals.
Our Mission
To lead by creating extraordinary music and experiences that build community, inspire activism, and foster compassion at home and around the world.
For 44 years, the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus has served as an international standard bearer for a powerful mix of musical excellence and mission-driven activism.
Founded in 1978, SFGMC was the first choral organization to courageously proclaim its orientation in its name and is credited with helping start the LGBT choral movement that now spans the entire globe, galvanizing and changing the course of LGBT history.
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Make a 100% tax-deductible donation today. Proceeds directly support SFGMC's performances and programs that promote an inclusive and just world for today and for future generations to come.
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Originally, LGBT was thought to be an inclusive way to refer to the gay community as a whole, but it still left out various sexual and gender groups. The letter Q was added to include Queer or Questioning (to include those who are uncertain of their gender identity or sexual orientation). The acronym has expanded further to include an I and an A. The I stands for intersex, which describes all individuals born with sexual anatomy that cannot be classified as typically male or female. The A represents those who identify as asexual, agender, or those who are allies of the LGBTQIA+ community.
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Over 40 years ago, activist Gilbert Baker, a prominent figure among San Francisco gay political activists, created the first rainbow flag as a symbol of gay pride. Today, the rainbow flag has become a worldwide symbol of strength and pride for the LGBTQIA+ community.
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Currently, issues related to gay relationships, same sex marriage, LGBTQIA+ history, gender norms, sexual identities, and LGBTQIA+ rights are not taught in most schools.
In light of the new "don't say gay" legislation in Florida that bans teachers from discussing sexual orientation or gender identity in school, it is even more important for us to provide a safe place for the LGBTQIA+ community and work to change the course of LGBTQIA+ history.