Petrelis Files

(The Chorus at City Hall. Sorry, I couldn't locate a photo of them at the Castro!)

SF Gay Chorus Sings Solidarity
for Russians, Eastern Europeans

My boyfriend and I attended one of the Christmas concerts at the Castro Theatre put on by the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus last week. It was my first time at this annual holiday musical treat and I thoroughly enjoyed the choice of songs and beautiful men's voices, along with being with my wonderful partner and our large extended gay family in the historic theatre for part of the holiday season.

After the show, we read the program from the chorus and were pleased to see this in the welcome note from Kathleen McGuire, the artistic director and conductor:

"Sergei Rachmaninoff's beloved 'Vespers' has become a symbolic piece for Russians, especially since, soon after its composition in 1915, the Soviet Union banned all religious music. It has been said that no composition represents the end of an era so clearly as this liturgical work. In 2005, an Orthodox priest in Russia held a private 'marriage' service for two men. When the religious authorities learned about it, they defrocked the priest and bulldozed the chapel.

"Recent pro-gay riots in Moscow led to the intimidation and incarceration of organizers and marchers. We sing from 'Vespers' tonight as a show of solidarity with our LGBT brothers and sisters in Eastern Europe."

Yes, this city is one place where we always remember gay people around the globe who struggle daily for acceptance and equality and we find creative ways to make sure foreign gays are not forgotten. I am proud of the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus for raising their voices in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Russia and throughout Eastern Europe.

Many thanks to the chorus members, the group's executive director, Teddy Witherington, and the artistic director for their act of choral and political solidarity.

May 2008 bring increase respect for the human rights of gays everywhere and more global solidarity and activism across all borders!

(Montage of images from the 2007 attempt at staging a gay pride event in Moscow.)