The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus went on tour into Prop 8 territory in late January, to the California cities of Redding and Chico.
Additional forays will take the group to Bakersfield, Fresno and Tracy. The counties the five cities are in voted to re-ban same-sex marriage at levels of 57 percent to 75 percent, although voters in the city of Chico itself opposed Prop 8.
The Jan. 30 performance at Redding’s 1,000-seat Cascade Theatre and the Jan. 31 performance at Chico’s 450-seat Harlen Adams Theatre both sold out. The group received a standing ovation in Chico.
“Before Prop 8 passed, we were planning to go to Europe in 2010,” said chorus Executive Director Teddy Witherington. “The shock of losing our marriage rights caused us to rethink our priorities as an organization. Upon reflection, we have decided to eat our vegetables before having dessert. … We believe to accept us, you have to know us.”
The tour is being presented in association with Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbian and Gays and is teamed with a local charity in each city. All proceeds are split by the local charity and PFLAG.
“The song I wrote, ‘We Are Coming Out,’ was the lead-off song in both concerts, and the crowd responded with excited applause and whistles,” said chorus member Sean Chapin. “I was deeply touched. Moreover, it was just the beginning of a magnificent array of songs that elevated the spirits of the audience members and gave a valiant challenge to those hearts blanketed with carefully taught ignorance and fear.”
By Rex Wockner
