Mission

The Portland Gay Men's Chorus aspires to expand, redefine, and perfect the choral art through eclectic performances that honor and uplift the gay community and affirm the worth of all people.

Vision

The Portland Gay Men's Chorus inspires leadership within the gay community and is an active partner in the regional arts.

The Chorus is financially and organizationally efficient. It provides an open, supportive environment for a diverse and committed family of members and supporters.

The Chorus produces innovative and passionate programs that promote the mission to a varied and expanding audience.

Outreach

Community outreach is especially important to the Portland Gay Men's Chorus. By using music as a medium to address philosophical and social barriers, the Chorus' concerts become powerful tools in the effort to spread important messages.

Through these concerts, patrons have learned about overcoming homophobia, made the life-changing decision to come out, developed positive personal identities, and addressed issues relating to HIV prevention.

For these reasons, the Chorus is dedicated to reaching the broadest audience possible, performing special concerts throughout both urban and rural Oregon. The Chorus has not hesitated to travel to small, rural communities where, in some cases, the performers may outnumber the audience. The chorus has traveled to Bend, Eugene, Salem, Medford, Hillsboro, Forest Grove, The Dalles, Pendleton, St. Helens, Astoria, Hood River, and Lincoln City.

If you are interested in talking with the Outreach Team about including the chorus in your event, please visti our outreach events page.

AIDS

PGMC has been involved with the AIDS issue for most of its history.

Many of the over-100 members that have passed on were HIV-positive, and the Chorus has been a source of support for those, as well as their family and friends. Our Celebration Project memorializes these members with a set of panels bearing a rose for each member who has passed with their name inscribed.

The Chorus has performed fee-free for benefits for various AIDS organizations throughout the state, and has donated concert revenues to countless AIDS support agencies, including the seed money for Cascade AIDS Project and the PAL Project.

Women

Holding a firm belief that one cannot fight discrimination while practicing it, PGMC has always supported and welcomed women. Mari Moore was the administrative backbone of PGMC throughout the early and mid 1990s and in 1998, Phylis Myles became the first woman to serve as a president of a gay men's chorus. In our organization, women have been singers, board members, staff members, and volunteers. PGMC has shared its stage with women's choruses including Portland Lesbian Choir, Sound Circle (Boulder) and Soromundi (Eugene). In 1999, PGMC produced a concert featuring women composers, In Celebration of Women, including the premiere of four PGMC commissions of women composers.