NYCGMC Membership Fundraising Drive 2019
It's that time of year again when I ask family and friends to help support the amazing work of the NYC Gay Men's Chorus (NYCGMC). We have performed in venues large and small, in Metro-NY, other cities in the US, and even in London, Dublin, and Mexico City, all in keeping with our mission of "changing lives through the power of song."
NYCGMC uses that musical power to challenge people’s perceptions of the LGBTQ+ community, combat fear and hatred, encourage compassion and human connections, and thrill our audiences with inspiring performances. At a moment when LGBTQ+ civil rights are significantly under threat, NYCGMC champions social justice and unconditional acceptance as passionately as we ever have, if not more.
This year is also especially important, both for NYCGMC, as we celebrate our 40th anniversary, and for the community, as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. On June 27, we were joined by LGBTQ+ choruses from ten other cities including LA, Denver, and Atlanta to set a record for the most singers onstage at Carnegie Hall, as 600+ out, proud community activists performed an inspiring work that NYC and LA jointly commissioned especially for this occasion: "Quiet No More."
The words and music of the choruses on the stage in Midtown on June 27, 2019 were truly representative of the words and actions of the protesters on the street in the Village on June 27, 1969, namely: that all people deserve the same, equal rights and freedoms, without prejudice, discrimination, or condemnation, no matter who they love.
Ten years after that watershed moment for the LGBTQ+ community, NYCGMC was founded, and for the past 40 years we have taken a leading role in the movement for social justice and equal rights. From the advent of the AIDS crisis to the struggle for marriage equality to singing out against bullying and transphobia, we have been producing innovative programs that entertain, inspire, educate, empower, and enrich people's lives.
Our music touches people at our three mainstage concerts and at our many outreach gigs all year: corporate and municipal events, community programs, same-sex weddings, in hospitals and at memorial services, and of course, at Pride festivals. We also help other US and international LGBTQ+ choruses, and non-profit community organizations based in Metro-NY, to raise the visibility and funds they need to flourish.
As an all-volunteer, non-profit organization of 275+ members, our work wouldn't be possible without the generous support of our family, friends, and allies. Chorus members pay annual dues and cover many of the music and production expenses (including all of our own travel and lodging costs when we perform outside of NYC) but it's still not enough: the costs of producing high-quality concerts in NYC can be staggering.
As we begin the 2019-20 season, I'm hoping that you can show your appreciation and support for all that we do, and enable us to maintain our standing as both a renowned NYC artistic institution and a powerful advocacy organization for social justice and equality. Making a tax-deductible donation through this site is simple, fast and secure.
No donation is too small (or too large!) and any amount, even $5 or $10, will be put to good use, and greatly appreciated. Even better: if your company offers a corporate match for giving to non-profit organizations, you can immediately double your donation, at no cost to you!
Many of you have made generous contributions in the past, and in doing so, you've enabled me to be the #2 fundraiser in the Chorus in 2016 and 2018 and #1 in 2015 and 2017! I'm hoping to return to the #1 spot again this year. With your help I know I can do it - but please be sure to make your donation before 11:59 pm on Thursday, Oct. 31st, when this year's campaign officially ends. THANKS IN ADVANCE!
