26 March 27th-april 2nd, 2025 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | I like to call “message through song.” People don’t like to talk about the uncom- fortable, but when you put it through music, all of a sudden the uncomfortable isn’t so uncomfortable anymore. Especially in the current political climate we’re in, we want to always have a message of “Yes, these bad things are going on, but we’re not giving in to the bullying.” We’re going to stand strong in our vision and mission, and show our community that we are a pillar of strength. No matter what, as long as we do it together, we will survive and we will get through this. You’re very inclusive at a time when, let’s be real, even some queer organizations are erasing trans and nonbinary people from their organizations. As a nonbinary person myself, I love that and want to talk to you about the importance of inclusion. Why is it important for the Phoenix Gay Men’s Chorus to include members who are trans men, and nonbinary people? I like to say this: Music knows no gender. Music is omnipotent. It’s every- where, it’s in everything that we do. When I actually took over the chorus, there was verbiage in our by-laws that was specifi- cally geared toward men. We were preaching that everyone is included, but our own verbiage made us noninclusive. We have to include everyone, and we don’t turn away anyone based on how they iden- tify. We only turn them away if they can’t sing That’s a good bar. I’m picturing the “American Idol” auditions meets “Sister Act” meets gay people in the desert. Yes, exactly. So speaking to spectrum and inclusivity, I’m curious if you have many allies who come to shows. Whether they are gay or straight, many of our patrons and singers have children. So we don’t want to be offensive to chil- dren. We try to create programs that I would bring my own grand-niece to. Yes, we are a gay chorus, and there are times when we will be over-the-top gay because that’s who we are. We make it family- friendly. We want to pay homage and thank our community members and patrons who are straight. We’re battling a lot of hate and discrimina- tion from the current political administration. How does Phoenix Gay Men’s Chorus continue to be a source of love, light and creative joy? The only way to be a source of inspira- tion is to be true to ourselves. We have to be honest about who we are; if I can walk out to that stage or walk out to my queer community and be true to myself, I think that speaks to everybody. That’s what we as an organization do. We are not perfect people, but we try to stay steadfast to our mission statement, that no matter who you are, you can be whatever you want, as long as you commit. We’ve talked about how music humanizes. What are your thoughts about what it is about music that allows us to see each other more clearly? What I love about music is it’s a universal language. No matter what, it is the same thing here, in Europe, in Asia, no matter where you go. Sound does some- thing to the human. We try to use music to change people’s hearts, to change their mindsets. If we do it properly, that is super achievable. ... We use our music to help move people’s hearts and souls. The next Phoenix Gay Men’s Chorus performance is “ Turnabout: A One Night Only Drag Show Extravaganza” on April 12 at Kobalt Bar. Tickets start at $10 for the performance, which is raising funds to restart the group’s LGBTQ+ youth chorus. Visit phxgmc.org. Cis men, trans men and nonbinary singers are welcome in the chorus. (Phoenix Gay Men’s Chorus) A Phoenix Gay Men’s Chorus performance. (Phoenix Gay Men’s Chorus) Sing Out from p 25
