By Melvin Terry
We are thrilled to be joined by New Voices Bay Area TIGQ Chorus a mixed-voice choral ensemble for singers who self-identify as transgender, intersex, or gender-queer (TIGQ).
Their goal is to build a creative, empowered, joyful space for our TIGQ community, to encourage voices that have been silenced or shamed, to grow and be heard, and to change how the world thinks about gender identity and music.
In these troubled times when there are multiple attempts to roll back rights for Queer, Black and Brown people such as far-right commentator Michael Knowles announcing from the Conservative Political Action Conference stage a few weekends ago that “transgenderism must be eradicated from public life entirely,” and Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas hinting that after Roe Vs Wade was struck down other previous decisions should be revisited. Many of us are afraid that this conservative activist court might strike down same-sex marriage. There are many bills either passed or pending throughout the country restricting the ability to vote. Most affected by these new laws are Black and Brown people and people with limited means.
Fortunately, some of us are showing our true colors and pushing back: A Nebraska Democrat, State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh began her filibuster during a Senate meeting a few weeks ago vowing to filibuster every bill her state Senate colleagues introduce if they support a measure that would restrict certain transition-related health care for minors.
“If this Legislature collectively decides that legislating hate against children is our priority, then I am going to make it painful, painful for everyone,” - Cavanaugh said during the meeting.
The mission of the Oakland Gay Men’s Chorus is to give voice through song to a community where everyone matters. Through our repertoire, we aim to offer hope and encouragement to those in our community struggling with bullying, depression, and mental health and those who love them.
These issues are highlighted in “You Are Enough” from Aron Accurso’s “A Mental Health Suite”. We believe you will be inspired and uplifted by Jonathan Larsen’s “Seasons of Love (from Rent),” Sara Bareilles’ pop hit “Brave,” and our title song “True Colors,” originally sung by Cyndi Lauper.
“My Heart Be Brave” is a stirring and reflective piece composed by African American composer, Marques L. A. Garrett and based on a Sonnet by James Weldon Johnson, also African American, who along with his brother John wrote the words and music to “Lift Every Voice and Sing”, the Black National Anthem.
