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S.F. Gay Men's Chorus Hits Calif.'s Conservative Heartland


SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN'S CHORUS X390 (LEXICON MAGAZINE) | ADVOCATE.COM

While California’s Proposition 8 is contested in federal court and activists organize to repeal it at the ballot box, the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus is on a mission to change the hearts and minds in parts of the state that voted overwhelmingly to ban gay marriage in 2008.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the 250-member chorus began its Freedom Tour last weekend, one that includes conservative niches like Chico and Fresno. The five-city series is sponsored by the Shasta County Arts Council and the Stonewall Alliance Center.

Attendance for the first two shows, show organizers asserted, has been better-than-expected. "When the tickets didn't sell at first, I thought, 'Oh God, no one is going to show up,'" said Amy Andrews, a welfare worker who helped sell tickets for the 1,000-seat Cascade Theatre in Redding. "And then tickets just took off. I have never been prouder of my hometown."

All proceeds from the concerts will benefit local community organizations, according to the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus’s Web site. Future concerts are planned for Fresno and Bakersfield in May.

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Reader Comments
  • Name: Jim Bloor
    Date posted: 2/3/2010 10:01:07 AM
    Hometown: Cleveland, OH

    Comment:

    What a GREAT marketing ploy: donating the proceeds to the local charities that are near and dear to these conservative hearts? It's also very generous and gracious of the chorus to do that. And while I realize that choruses are terribly underfunded as is; if every gay chorus (or performance troupe) used a marketing tactic like that across conservative America, we could change a lot of hearts and minds. Bravo!

  • Name: David Twombley
    Date posted: 2/2/2010 7:43:23 PM
    Hometown: Des Moines

    Comment:

    HEY... way to go, SFGMC! As a member of the Des Moines Gay Men's Chorus, I salute you in what your are achieving in your stand for equal rights for ALL citizens of the U.S. We all, DO, make a difference; keep up the good work. David (proud member of the DSM Gay Men's Chorus; a participant in last year's GALA Festival in Miami, FL)

  • Name: Scott Marler
    Date posted: 2/2/2010 6:12:24 PM
    Hometown: Atlanta

    Comment:

    Way to go, San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus! We at the Atlanta Gay Men's Chorus will tour several cities in Georgia for the first time this March Needless to say, our tour will hit conservative areas, but we are encouraged by initial buzz about the idea. Best wishes for overwhelming success and enlightened minds!

  • Name: NYCGMC
    Date posted: 2/2/2010 6:07:25 PM
    Hometown: New York City

    Comment:

    WAY TO GO! KEEP YOUR BEAUTIFUL VOICES HIGH, CHORINES!!! Lots of love from the NYCGMC



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