NYCGMC 2023 Membership Fundraising Drive

Welcome to the NYCGMC 2023 Membership Fundraising Drive!

And thank you for taking the time to learn more about the NYC Gay Men's Chorus and what being a member of the chorus means to me. It is safe to say that I stumbled my way into the chorus, though the lack of intentionality in no way diminishes the feelings of joy and purpose I have when I am with my musical family. Up until a year ago, I knew I loved to sing, but I didn't know I could sing (in large part because I lacked an understanding of vocal ranges...). But to spend *cough* years with the desire to have a musical life, yet lacking any guidance or opportunity to properly focus my passion...one can imagine how blown my mind was when I got to learn and perform beautiful songs (many of them intensely gayified) with one of the world's most amazing gay choruses. 

I have already experienced so many unforgettable moments in my short time with the chorus, but to highlight just a few: 

• I got to live my best cruising life as a harnessed, heeled, fishnet-stockinged genderqueer **** on stage! And have my family attend one of the performances! 
• I got to perform with Peppermint to celebrate the International Transgender Day of Visibility. 
• I got to sing in Times Square Pride weekend! 
• I was finally bold enough to march in the NYC Pride parade–and I got to do it as part of a rainbow contingent of queers singing and dancing to our own songs.

Thanks again for taking the time to learn about this cause, and if you choose to donate (any amount helps!), thank you for your generosity. 

And now for the text that I didn't write myself...

The New York City Gay Men’s Chorus is an internationally renowned performing arts institution in New York City and a pioneering voice for the LGBTQIA+ community.  Through the power of song, the NYCGMC challenges people’s perceptions of the LGBTQIA+ community, combats fear and hatred, encourages compassion and human connection, and thrills audiences with inspiring performances. The NYCGMC champions social justice and embraces the values of diversity, inclusion, equity, and intersectionality.  

Originally founded in 1979 and assuming its present form in 1980, the NYCGMC provided a safe and supportive community when LGBTQIA+ people faced daunting challenges, extreme discrimination, and devastating loss. The Chorus now confronts the unprecedented challenges of recent years in its inimitable fashion by reflecting on our extraordinary past and forging an innovative and exciting path towards the future, inviting New York City and the entire world to join in the celebration.  

Comprising nearly 300 talented singers of various ages, backgrounds, and experiences, across a spectrum of gender identity and sexual orientation, NYCGMC is actively engaged in how we can be stronger together.  NYCGMC’s 2023-2024 season will present concerts throughout the year inclusive of the Youth Pride Chorus's 20th Anniversary Celebration on December 9, 2023.  For more information, please visit www.nycgmc.org/performances.   

In addition to our mainstage shows, NYCGMC annually presents over forty outreach activities across all five boroughs and beyond. Previous years’ outreach performances have included appearances at LGBTQIA+ teen homeless shelters, at SAGE (Services and Advocacy for older LGBTQ+ people), and at corporate and public pride celebrations.  NYCGMC has performed at Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden, and Yankee Stadium; at gala fundraisers for the Swish Ally Fund and the Ackerman Institute; and at the Brooklyn Museum and the Global Citizen concert in Central Park, among many others.  Television appearances including Good Morning America, the Tonight Show, and Last Week Tonight have provided a national platform for the mission. In June 2022, NYCGMC performed in the 75th Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall.  In June 2023, the NYCGMC performed a concert exclusively for NYC middle and high school students at the Hostos Center for the Arts and Culture in the Bronx. Through technical assistance and joint concerts, NYCGMC supports development of LGBTQIA+ choruses in the U.S. and internationally. NYCGMC’s school outreach program has served over 2,000 NYC public middle and high school students. 

As a non-profit organization, NYCGMC relies on the generosity of donors to support this important work and to keep our song alive.  Your support allows NYCGMC to amplify our mission and our voices at this important moment.  Thank you in advance for your generosity!