STAGE TUBE: San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus Responds to Election with 2018 Outreach Tour, 'Light' Video

Today, the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus (SFGMC), under the direction of Dr. Timothy Seelig, Artistic Director and Chris Verdugo, Executive Director, announced plans for an outreach tour through major southern conservative areas of the United States in Summer 2018.

In response to the recent presidential election and the voices of the so-called "silent majority," SFGMC will pursue a "Red State Freedom Tour" in 2018. While the exact itinerary has not been determined, it is SFGMC's plan to go on a whistle stop tour through Southern states where the LGBTQ community is struggling, and likely feeling even further marginalized after the election results.

"Over the last few days," states Artistic Director Dr. Timothy Seelig, "The 300+ members of the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus have, along with the entire LGBTQ community, been navigating our collective way through feelings of shock and despair. We hope our presence and our music will encourage our Brothers and Sisters, educate others and challenge those communities to think differently."

"We, as a country, have a long road to travel," adds Executive Director Chris Verdugo. "Our LGBT youth fear what their future might look like. We have a duty to them and an obligation to protect the freedoms we have rigorously fought for. We believe this tour is a step in the right direction that will build bridges of understanding, compassion and empathy."

The 2018 Outreach Tour will be the cap to the Chorus' monumental 40th Season (2017-2018). To launch the tour, the Chorus also released today a live video of the group performing "Light" from Next to Normal, recorded live this summer in Denver, CO. Check it out below!

"We are all grappling with the shock of the election returns," writes Seelig. "There is widespread fear and despair among many communities across our diverse country. This song came immediately to mind. It is a piece that has brought comfort in other dark times. It is our hope it will do that again."

Since its inception in 1978, the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus has consistently changed the world through music, serving as an international standard-bearer for a powerful mix of extraordinary musical excellence and mission-driven activism.

Central to that mission has been a long history of social justice work, including commissioning and premiering new choral works that speak to issues of anti-bullying ("Tyler's Suite," "Testimony"), LGBTQ+ history (I Am Harvey Milk, NakedMan) and the human spirit ("New Year's Carol," #twitterlieder). The first public performance by the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus was at the candlelight vigil following the assassination of Supervisor Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone in November 1978, and ever since then the Chorus has continued to bring its message of tolerance and compassion to the world through thousands of performances across the globe.

For nearly 40 years, the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus has courageously served as the international standard bearer for a powerful and accomplished mix of high-caliber performance, human rights, community activism, empowerment and inclusiveness, establishing it as an icon among LGBT organizations. Founded in 1978, it was the first organization of its kind and is credited with starting the LGBT choral movement, galvanizing and changing the course of LGBT history. It continues to rally and inspire other arts-based community organizations around the world. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Dr. Timothy Seelig, SFGMC has in recent seasons established a heightened level of performance standards receiving audience and choral acclaim, increased its touring and recording profile and broadened its impact and reputation in the community while maintaining its signature blend of humor, personality and high-voltage performances. For more information, visit www.sfgmc.org and @sfgmc (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram).

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