Title: San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus records

Dates: 1978-2022

Collection Number: 2009-01

Creator/Collector: San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus (Tom Burtch, Chorus Historian)

Extent: 34 linear feet (1 manuscript box, 28 cartons, 8 oversize boxes, 1 flat file drawer)

Repository: GLBT Historical Society

Abstract: The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus is the world’s first openly gay men’s chorus. The collection is arranged into seven series including: Administrative Records; Membership and Production Materials; Publicity and Awards; Photographs; Audiovisual Materials; Textiles and Memorabilia; and SFGMC Scans and Electronic Records.

Language of Material: English

Collection is open for research. Collection was processed by Megan Needels in 2021/2022 with funding provided by the National Historical Publications & Records Commission. Original processing performed by current and former members of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, supporters, and friends of the Chorus in 2013-2014. Funding for processing this collection in 2013-2014 was provided by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR). Some material in this collection has been digitized and made publicly available online as digital collections. You can access content on Calisphere (https://calisphere.org/collections/27934/) and additional content on the Internet Archive (https://archive.org/details/glbthistoricalsociety?and%5B%5D=creator%3A%22san%20francisco%20gay%20men%27s%20chorus%22&sort=-date).

All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in writing to the Managing Archivist at the GLBT Historical Society. Permission to publish is given on behalf of the Historical Society as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission from the copyright owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright owner. Copyright to materials in this donation are retained by their respective creators.

[Identification of item]. San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus records. Collection Number: 2009-01. GLBT Historical Society

The collection was donated to the GLBT Historical Society by the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus in December 2013 with additions in 2019, 2021, and 2022. Poster addition in April 2024 by Jim Munson.

The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus is the world’s first openly gay men’s chorus. The Chorus sang in public for the first time on the steps of San Francisco City Hall in November 1978 at a candlelight vigil for Harvey Milk. The group was founded by Jon Reed Sims with a mission to spread social equality for LGBTQ people. In 1981, The Chorus embarked on a national tour that helped spark the creation of similar choral groups in the U.S. and overseas. They are credited with igniting the worldwide gay and lesbian choral movement and continue to tour the country today. They have also commissioned many widely performed works that address issues of concern to the LGBTQ community, including homophobia, AIDS, Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, and marriage equality. Since the first 115 members sang on the steps of City Hall in 1978, over 2,000 different men, cis and trans, and non-binary people have sung with the chorus. A number of artistic directors and conductors have led The Chorus over the years including, Jon Reed Sims (Oct. 1978); Dick Kramer (Nov. 1978 – Jan. 1982); Robin Kay (guest conductor, Feb. – Mar. 1982); Robert Erickson, Dale Richard, Claude Zetty (interim conductors, 1982); Ernie Veniegas (1982–1984); Charles Baker, Dennis Coleman, Vance George (guest conductors, 1985); Gregg Tallman (Aug. 1985 – June 1989); Dr. Stan Hill (July 1989 – July 2000; Conductor Laureate July 11, 2012); Joseph Jennings (guest conductor, Sept. – Dec. 1998); Dr. Kathleen McGuire (Aug. 2000 – Dec. 2010; Conductor Laureate Jan. 3, 2011); and Dr. Timothy Seelig (January 2011 – present; also served as guest conductor, Feb. – June 2009).

This collection documents the history of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus and its impact on the lives of members, audiences, and the LGBTQ community. The collection is arranged into seven series including: Administrative Records; Membership and Production Materials; Publicity and Awards; Photographs; Audiovisual Materials; Textiles and Memorabilia; and SFGMC Scans and Electronic Records. Administrative Records contain files relating to the administrative operations of the Chorus such as strategic planning, board of directors meeting minutes, job descriptions and resumes, marketing materials, financial records, donation records, leadership evaluations, and audience surveys. It also includes files relating to the Golden Gate Choral Foundation, which was the Chorus’ primary fundraising entity. Membership and Production Materials include membership and concert production materials such as expense records, flyers, programs, member handbooks, rosters, issues of the Chorus Notes newsletter, tour materials, GALA materials, and posters. It also includes a file on the Fifth Section of the chorus, which is comprised of members who have died, many of whom due to HIV/AIDS. Publicity and Awards includes press clippings, awards, and letters commending the chorus. Photographs contain photographic prints, negatives, and slides of performances, member retreats, formal group portraits, holiday parties, parade contingents, individual member headshots, office staff, and chorus leadership. Audiovisual Materials contain film, video, and audio recordings of live performances, studio performances, and promotional material. Textiles and Memorabilia contain t-shirts, jackets, a cap, gloves, buttons, member name tags, pins, a sash, banners, and branded material such as a mug and a CD album case. SFGMC Scans and Electronic Records contain born-digital items and scans made or collected by SFGMC members. Some of the scans in this series represent physical items contained within the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus records collection, but there may also be scans of physical items that belong to individual members or that have not otherwise been formally accessioned as part of the physical collection held at the GLBT Historical Society archives. This series is available digitally, contact the archivist for access. GSSO linked terms: http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_000374; http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_004300