Telling stories and building community through song: gay choruses and music confronting heteronormativity, cultural and institutional homophobia and anti-queer violence

This project focuses on the gay choral movement and commissioned music addressing heteronormativity, homophobia and anti-queer violence in the United States. Since gay choruses emerged in the late 1970s, commissioned music has been valued as an essential means of addressing socio-political and cultural issues relevant to, and impacting, the queer community. By preparing and performing music examined in this project, singers tell their unique and individual stories. The commonalities allow singers to relate to one another, healing and strengthening the community within their respective choruses.