Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington (GMCW) is the only LGBTQ+ chorus in the nation’s capital. They are a renowned performance group. Since 1981, GMCW has performed shows nationally, internationally, and at-home in Washington, DC. To date, they have 250+ singing members. Five select ensembles. Five hundred donors. And an annual audience of 10,000+. Their mission is to use music to promote equality, achieve justice, and overcome our differences. That — and put on one hell of a show in the process.
In the early 1960s, it was illegal to be gay. Yes, seriously, illegal. Before and during that time, the LGBTQ+ population faced serious discrimination, harassment, and violence. Luckily, that all started to change, albeit slowly, in the years to come. On November 27th, 1978, Harvey Milk, a gay politician, was shot and killed in San Francisco. In response to this horrible crime, the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus (SFGMC) was born. This unprecedented and daring organization became the first openly gay men’s chorus in the US. Years later, SFGMC toured the country, singing out against hate. In June of 1981, they performed at the Kennedy Center, inspiring a group of individuals right here in DC to form their own gay men’s chorus. And so began the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC.