The Power of Harmony

[suzer1013]

My partner and I watched a program on our local PBS station last night about a gay men's chorus. It was really a wonderful program. It dealt with issues like illness of partners, adoption, trying to reconnect with parents, past (hetero) marriages and coming out. It was so positive and uplifting.

And, of course, the show kept getting interrupted by pledge breaks. Well, of course, we are in Georgia, and as the night went on, the PBS people seemed to get more and more harried, until the announcer finally alluded to the fact that they were getting quite a few phone calls from people who "didn't agree" with them airing the program. I can only imagine the harassment the people answering the phones were getting. So, the announcer tried to mention that they want to present all kinds of programs, even if they are ones some people disagree with. I mean, God forbid we show gays in a positive light!

If any of you have seen this program, I highly recommend it. My partner said "I wonder if Pat Robertson saw this, would he see the love?" (referring to two men who had just adopted a baby, and they brought the wee one to the choir practice, and you should have seen the love and tenderness and sweetness all those wonderful men had for that baby -- it was very moving). I said, no, I didn't think Robertson would see the love, because he is simply too blinded by his own prejudices to see anything relating to GLBT people as love.

Which, I am sure, is why some people took it upon themselves to call the station and harass them for showing this gay-positive program. (I am sure this will continue the neo-con assault against PBS as being too "liberal.")

Which is also why I took out my credit card and called that station and pledged a basic membership. I was also sure to tell them how wonderful the program was, how I was glad they were showing it, and that I hoped they would show more like it.

Susan

[suzer1013]

If anyone is interested, here is the link to The Power of Harmony documentary site:

http://www.thepowerofharmony.com/

Susan

[Zerbie]

Suze, I am in such a mix of conflicting emotions in response to your post I don't know what to say first!

Thanks for this - it was really interesting to hear this tidbit about the mindset of some folks in GA, and the interest of your PBS station in airing the special.

I LOVE the gay men's choruses!

I can't believe people got offended by gay men SINGING. That just trumps all. The fact that they would make mean phone calls to volunteers at the station. . .it's head-shaking sad.

(Yeah well, some years back a musician I barely knew mentioned he had a choir concert the following night and I told him I was going to go to his concert. Then he freaked, 'coz he didn't want to tell me it was a gay men's chorus concert. He thought I might be "morally offended." When I showed up at the concert his jaw hit the floor. It kills me when people expect me to be homophobic. )

It sounds like a beautiful program that your station aired, Suze. What a shame it got such a negative response. I think you're correct, the Pat Robertsons of the world would not see love. They see their own minds.

Good for you for supporting the station! Way to go Suze! Thank you.

[ctozrn]

I read your post and thought of the documentary that our family just watched. It is All Aboard. It is about several gay families on a cruise ship chartered by Rosie and Kelli O'Donnell. It is awesome! It was nominated for three Emmy's. It tells all about how these people either adopted children or gave birth through insemination. There are several weddings on board by a MCC pastor. There is also a very moving part about very vocal protesters in Nassau.

I highly recommend this documentary. You can also find out about their gay cruise lines at www.rfamilyvacations.com They have a great forum board there as well. My partner and our kids are already starting to save for one of their cruises!

Christine

[Zerbie]

So I finally clicked on that link you provided, Suze. It's the Turtle Creek Chorale - omigosh - they are excellent! I love them!

Thought I'd come back and make a recommendation. They really are a good bunch of musicians and singers. I heard them on the radio recently for the first time and told my husband I love this, we should buy a CD, and he said he thinks we have one buried in a box somewhere in the garage. We need to find it. Those guys are good.

[suzer1013]

Christine -- yes! My partner and I enjoyed watching All Aboard also. We would love to go on one of Rosie's cruises, but alas, it's way beyond our means at this point. Maybe someday! I recommend the video (is it out on video/DVD yet?) -- it was very positive and affirming to gay families.

Zerbie -- Well, ya know, this IS Georgia. The funny thing is, in all the choirs I've sung in, at least 1/2 of the men were gay. Don't these folks realize that probably a good percentage of men in their choirs are gay, too? (I don't care what kind of church - conservative, liberal, whatever -- GLBT folks are there, too!) Don't they realize that so many of our entertainers are gay? Don't they realize when they go to a Broadway show, or see the symphony chorus, that there are large numbers of gay men providing the talent?

As an aside, I'm currently searching for a new choir to sing in. Don't have the guts or the desire to follow the strict schedule of symphony chorus, so I'm just trying to find a new church where I can sing. There are local groups, too, but they all charge to be a member and, well, money is tight. I frankly have much more fun in choirs with a large percentage of gay men -- the jokes and banter fly so fast, I can hardly keep up -- too bad I can't join the gay men's chorus! LOL!

Susan

[Zerbie]

This is one of the best threads ever! Thanks for starting it Suze.

C - I saw part of that documentary on LOGO (the end, I believe). I saw the part with the protestors. It was sad. The contrast between all those sweet caring families with cute little kids, and those nasty people spouting ugliness!

Suze - I totally hear ya about wanting to join the gay men's chorus!
Hmm, a friend of mine sings with a (not gay, mainstream) chorus somewhere in the Atlanta area. She loves it. They do a variety of big concerts with orchestra and such. I forget which group it is. Is Atlanta reasonable commuting distance for you? I could ask her which group it is, and if there are membership dues?

You're right about the music/singing in general. When I hear nasty reactions like those folks complaining to the TV station, I want to say: ok, let's take away from them ALL their music, all their radios, Ipods, CDs, no more Broadway shows, no more operas, nothing that a queer person contributed to. After all, if they want to stand on principles. Gr. Aw heck, I've even heard stories of homophobia backstage in the dressings rooms at the opera. Yeah.

It's interesting the kinds of reactions people have to this subject. I was talking to an older lady once about being an opera singer. She told me she was sorry for me because "You have to work with all those homosexuals. There are so many gay men in opera. You poor dear, I feel so sorry for you dealing with those kinds of people."
I told her she had been misinformed and given negative stereotypes about gay men that weren't true. Then, she being 20 years older than me, took on a motherly attitude, put a hand on my shoulder and said sweetly to my face, "Oh honey, that's what the young people are being taught these days, but - I'm right. You don't know what homosexuals are like. But I do. I've met TWO of them!"

[suzer1013]

LOL! TWO of them?!?!?! That is too funny!

I'd love to know what group your friend sings with. I live in Marietta, just outside Atlanta, but commute every day to Atlanta to work. I know of a whole lot of singing groups in the area, but it seems they all have dues which, I suppose if I bit the bullet, I could pay. I've just never had to pay to sing before. I understand why they have to charge dues, but when you're on a tight budget (like, you probably shouldn't have made that credit card donation to PBS, but dammit, I HAD to, considering the circumstances), paying to sing sort of seems like an unnecessary expense.

The first chior I sang in in Atlanta was probably one of the best choirs in the city that sings traditional choir music (All Saints Episcopal, Atlanta). Amazing, amazing choir, but also pretty strict as far as attendance, having to sing two (sometimes three!) services, etc. I got burned out after a while, though it was one of the most amazing experiences I'll ever have (short of joining symphony chorus, which would be another set of expectations to meet). We recorded some cd's, and even sang at Carnegie Hall -- nothing much will top that experience, for an amateur singer like me. I'd like to find a group that isn't Nazi-like about attendance (I don't miss many, if any rehearsals -- sometimes I just need a little flexibility if I have to work late), that still sings good music and is halfway decent sounding.

I've sung in church choirs my whole life, and have had a 6 month hiatus after leaving my last church. I'm itching to sing again, but need to find the right place.

Atlanta does have a women's choral group, as well as OurSong Atlanta, which is a gay and lesbian group, but all charge membership fees. The MIchael O'Neal Singers are amazing, too, and I know several folks in that group. Also, having to buy expensive formalwear (and might I say, ugly? ) is a little out of my budget, too, which is why a church choir is also good -- the choir robes are free!

Anyway, please share the group your friend is in, and I'll check it out.

We seem to have alot of singers/musicians on this board, don't we?

Susan

[Daniel]

Originally Posted by Zerbie

It's interesting the kinds of reactions people have to this subject. I was talking to an older lady once about being an opera singer. She told me she was sorry for me because "You have to work with all those homosexuals. There are so many gay men in opera. You poor dear, I feel so sorry for you dealing with those kinds of people."
I told her she had been misinformed and given negative stereotypes about gay men that weren't true. Then, she being 20 years older than me, took on a motherly attitude, put a hand on my shoulder and said sweetly to my face, "Oh honey, that's what the young people are being taught these days, but - I'm right. You don't know what homosexuals are like. But I do. I've met TWO of them!"

The Turtle Creek program was broadcast here in NYC in June (gay month!) and I believe I started a thread on it....it must be in the bowels of this site somewhere. A great program- and a great reason to become a member of your local PBS station. I'm just shaking my head that people would call in and harrass the people answering phones. sigh....

Gay men in opera? Where I work in a professional opera chorus, it's about half and half- and I'm not talking milk. You're not going to find backstage homophobia on the coasts, that is, SanFransisco Opera, La Opera, Metropolitan Opera and New York City Opera. But the middle of the country? Still happens. I've had friends singing leading roles be 'hosted' by very conservative families and it can get dicey to say the least. But things are changing- there was an article in Opera News this past year (?) about a Lesbian couple- Mezzo and Soprano- both well-kown singers. There is an ever increasing openness. However, I have yet to know of a 'star' who is openly gay. Just like in film, the very top tier is silent on the matter.

Zerbie- I've always thought that we should have a 'day without gay people'. No Art. No Nothing. And see what happens.

[suzer1013]

Originally Posted by Daniel

Zerbie- I've always thought that we should have a 'day without gay people'. No Art. No Nothing. And see what happens.

Yes! There is a movie called "A Day Without Mexicans" -- very funny and apropos. I've only managed to see parts of it on t.v., but the premise is that one day all the Mexicans disappear, and the economy basically stops because all those immigrants are keeping the country running.

It would be neat to apply the same premise with GLBT folks -- see what would be left without us here. Symphonies would stop playing, many churches would have no organists and lose half their choirs, etc., etc. Of course, GLBT folks have contributed throughout history in so many ways and still do -- in medicine, law, entertainment, etc. Great suggestion, Daniel!

Susan

[suzer1013]

Daniel -- BTW, I went back and found your post on this program. Sorry I missed it the first time!

Susan

[tdogg]

Originally Posted by suzer1013

Yes! There is a movie called "A Day Without Mexicans" -- very funny and apropos. I've only managed to see parts of it on t.v., but the premise is that one day all the Mexicans disappear, and the economy basically stops because all those immigrants are keeping the country running.

It would be neat to apply the same premise with GLBT folks -- see what would be left without us here. Symphonies would stop playing, many churches would have no organists and lose half their choirs, etc., etc. Of course, GLBT folks have contributed throughout history in so many ways and still do -- in medicine, law, entertainment, etc. Great suggestion, Daniel!

Susan

A Day Without a Mexican is an awesome movie. I recommend seeing the movie all the way thru. We definitely need A Day Without a Gay movie - I think people would be in shock if that actually happened. Especially if even those in the closet disappeared (talk bout coming out!). GREAT idea! I've always wanted to write a screenplay......

[maestro_di_cappella]

It's ironic to me how many down-home conservative type folks love queer pop musicians like Elton John--just considering them some sort of novelty. When it comes to "real people"--the local choirs, organists, opera singers, etc., well they had best stay in their closet!

[Jamie McDaniel]

Originally Posted by Daniel

I've always thought that we should have a 'day without gay people'. No Art. No Nothing. And see what happens.

Well, all hell will break loose if it falls on a night when So You Think You Can Dance or America's Got Talent is on.

[Zerbie]

Suze - I've been trying to ask my friend in Atlanta what group she sings with, but the emails aren't going through. . .

[tdogg]

Jamie,

I think you have the perfect premise for a new movie (day with gays) - all we need is a title to get started!

Any takers for a title???

Seriously, that would be a great movie - all gays raptured and the straights left behind....Hollywood would certainly take a huge dump! So would corporate America and possibly the medical field.... CA state service would become nearly shut down!

[NathanATX]

If the gays get raptured, I hope we all go to "Paradise Island" to mine Feminum...

[NathanATX]

Originally Posted by suzer1013

If anyone is interested, here is the link to The Power of Harmony documentary site:

http://www.thepowerofharmony.com/

Susan

This is awesome! I'm going to buy it for our young adult ministry to watch!
Nate