ABOUT US

OUR MISSION

The Oakland Gay Men’s Chorus gives voice through song to a community where everyone matters.

OUR CORE VALUES

COMMUNITY:

We create and maintain a bond of friendship and family by affirming individuality, mutual respect, and trust.

TRUSTWORTHINESS:

We believe in the reliability of each other, and commit ourselves to supporting and providing a safety net for those in need.

INTEGRITY:

We are accountable to ourselves and to each other. We are honest and forthright with our motives and actions, striving for excellence.

JOY :

We delight in sharing fun and laughter.

COURAGE:
We embrace peace and overcome fear. We create a space in which we are able to do more together than we could do alone.

KINDNESS:

We uplift and support each other; we believe in and expect the best of one another, exercising patience, understanding, and empathy in our interactions.

GIVING BACK:

We foster social justice and oppose discrimination through inclusion and education. We are generous in our support of local non-profit organizations.

OUR HISTORY

Oakland Gay Men’s Chorus began in September of 1999 when Dick Kramer set up a booth at East Bay Pride (Oakland) and recruited members to create a gay men’s chorus for the East Bay. The chorus made its first public appearance the following December at a meeting of The Lavender Seniors in San Leandro.

Oakland Gay Men’s Chorus solidified under the umbrella organization Pacific Center for Human Growth, and created a 3 concert season (Spring, East Bay Pride, Holiday). In January 2006, Oakland Gay Men’s Chorus became independent and acquired its very own 501(c)(3) status.