In the heart of Sacramento, a vibrant musical institution has thrived for four decades, weaving together the threads of community, identity, and resilience through song. The Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus (SGMC), founded in 1984, celebrated its 40th anniversary on May 25, 2025, with a jubilant concert at Southside Park. This milestone not only marks the chorus’s enduring legacy but also serves as a testament to its role as a beacon of hope, connection, and artistic expression for the LGBTQ+ community during some of its most challenging times. From its origins in the shadow of the AIDS epidemic to its current status as a diverse, inclusive ensemble, the SGMC has evolved while remaining true to its mission of fostering unity and celebrating identity through music.

Origins: A Safe Haven Amid Crisis

The Birth of the Chorus

The Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus was born in 1984, a tumultuous period marked by the AIDS epidemic and widespread discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community. At a time when societal stigma and legal protections for queer individuals were virtually nonexistent, the chorus emerged as a sanctuary for its members. Dennis “Denny” Mangers, a founding member and former state Assemblyman, recalls the cautious beginnings of the group. “At the time, none of us felt safe having it called the Gay Men’s Chorus, so it was decided the first few years we would be the Sacramento Men’s Chorus,” Mangers explained. The group adopted a nondescript name and a conservative appearance—black pants and white shirts—to blend in and avoid drawing unwanted attention.

With just over a dozen members at its inception, the SGMC provided a rare space where gay men could express themselves freely. Dr. Steve Winlock, another founding member and Sacramento Arts commissioner, described the chorus as a “safe haven” during an era when being openly queer could lead to ostracism or violence. “We could be together and be who we were and feel like we weren’t going to be threatened in some ways,” Winlock said. This sense of safety was critical, as the AIDS crisis was claiming lives and fueling fear and misinformation about the LGBTQ+ community.

The AIDS Epidemic’s Impact

The AIDS epidemic cast a long shadow over the SGMC’s early years. The disease, first identified in 1981, disproportionately affected gay men, and Sacramento was no exception. The chorus, while a place of joy and camaraderie, was not immune to the crisis. “Many members of our own chorus fell ill. We had to sing for some funerals that were sobering at the time,” Mangers recounted. These losses underscored the chorus’s role as a support network, where members could grieve, heal, and find strength in one another.

The epidemic also shaped the broader cultural landscape. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), by the mid-1980s, over 20,000 Americans had died of AIDS-related causes, with gay men facing intense stigma as the disease was initially dubbed “gay-related immune deficiency.” The SGMC’s existence during this period was a quiet act of defiance, offering its members a way to assert their humanity and resilience through music.

The Evolution of Identity

Coming Out as the Gay Men’s Chorus

For nearly two decades, the SGMC operated under the name Sacramento Men’s Chorus, a decision driven by safety concerns. However, as societal attitudes began to shift in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the group embraced its true identity. By the early 2000s, the chorus officially adopted the name Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus, a bold declaration of pride and authenticity. This rebranding coincided with broader advancements in LGBTQ+ rights, including the legalization of same-sex marriage in California in 2008 (though briefly overturned) and the eventual nationwide recognition in 2015 following the Supreme Court’s Obergefell v. Hodges decision.

The transition to openly identifying as a gay men’s chorus was not merely symbolic. It reflected a growing confidence among members and a commitment to visibility. “We were out and proud,” said artistic director Alex Heetland, describing the chorus’s performance at its 40th anniversary concert. The event, held at Southside Park, featured anthems like Diana Ross’s “I’m Coming Out” and RuPaul’s “Sissy That Walk,” songs that resonate deeply with the queer experience. These selections, Heetland noted, “tell our stories as much as we can” and honor the contributions of queer icons to music and culture.

A Diverse Ensemble

Today, the SGMC is a far cry from its modest beginnings. With 110 singers, the chorus is a vibrant tapestry of identities, welcoming not only gay men but also straight men, straight women, queer women, transgender individuals, and nonbinary folks. “It’s so exciting to have such a wide expression of our queer community in our group,” Heetland said. This inclusivity reflects the chorus’s evolution into a space that celebrates all who share its values, provided they can sing in a tenor or bass range.

The diversity of the SGMC mirrors broader trends in the LGBTQ+ community, which has increasingly embraced intersectionality. Research from the Williams Institute at UCLA indicates that younger generations of queer individuals are more likely to identify as nonbinary or transgender, with 1.8% of U.S. adults identifying as transgender in 2022. The SGMC’s openness to diverse gender identities positions it as a forward-thinking organization that adapts to the evolving landscape of queer identity.

Music as a Vehicle for Connection

A Repertoire of Joy and Remembrance

The SGMC’s repertoire is a delicate balance of celebration and reflection. While songs like “I’m Coming Out” evoke pride and liberation, the chorus also engages with the pain and struggles of the LGBTQ+ community. One of its upcoming performances, “Considering Matthew Shepard,” scheduled for June 5, 2025, at the Mondavi Center in Davis, exemplifies this commitment. The 105-minute program tells the story of Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old gay student brutally murdered in Wyoming in 1998. The piece, composed by Craig Hella Johnson, combines music, narration, and poetry to honor Shepard’s life and legacy.

Shepard’s murder was a watershed moment for the LGBTQ+ rights movement, galvanizing activists and leading to the passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act in 2009. The SGMC’s performance of this work underscores its role as not only an artistic ensemble but also a cultural institution that engages with the history and struggles of its community.

“When you sing with a group together … there’s no other way that you feel like you’re striving towards a common goal together and creating something beautiful. That’s what I love,” said Alex Heetland, artistic director of the SGMC.

Community Through Harmony

The act of singing in harmony is more than a musical exercise for the SGMC; it’s a metaphor for community. “Singing in harmony as a group makes you feel more like a family, more together,” Mangers said. This sense of unity is particularly poignant for a group that has weathered decades of societal challenges. The chorus’s performances, whether at Southside Park or Placer County’s first-ever Pride event in 2022, bring together diverse audiences, fostering dialogue and understanding.

Music’s power to build community is well-documented. A 2018 study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology found that group singing enhances social bonding and reduces stress, effects that are amplified in communities facing marginalization. For the SGMC, this bonding is a lifeline, connecting members across generations and experiences.

Navigating a Changing Political Landscape

Progress and Peril

While California has long been a bastion of progressive values, with strong legal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals, the national political climate remains fraught. Founding members Mangers and Winlock expressed concern about recent developments, such as the cancellation of a Gay Men’s Chorus performance at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., following President Donald Trump’s self-appointment as chair. “We’re not having to face that. But Steve and I are well aware that what happens there – and it’s happening in Florida and some of the other states – could happen here,” Mangers said.

These concerns are not unfounded. In 2023, Florida passed legislation restricting discussions of gender and sexuality in schools, part of a broader wave of anti-LGBTQ+ laws in conservative states. The Human Rights Campaign reported that over 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were introduced in state legislatures in 2024, with many targeting transgender rights and public expressions of queer identity. The SGMC’s vigilance, as Mangers noted, is both artistic and political, ensuring that its voice remains a force for advocacy and change.

California’s Role

California, by contrast, has been a leader in LGBTQ+ rights. The state passed the California FAIR Act in 2011, mandating the inclusion of LGBTQ+ history in public school curricula, and has consistently upheld anti-discrimination protections. Sacramento itself has a thriving queer community, with events like Placer Pride and the SGMC’s performances drawing diverse crowds. However, the chorus’s members remain acutely aware that progress is not guaranteed. “We’re as vigilant politically as we are artistically,” Mangers said, emphasizing the need to protect the gains of the past four decades.

The Legacy of the Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus

A Beacon for Future Generations

As the SGMC looks to the future, its legacy is one of resilience, inclusivity, and the transformative power of music. From its cautious beginnings to its current status as a diverse, 110-member ensemble, the chorus has navigated immense challenges while remaining a vital part of Sacramento’s cultural fabric. Its performances, whether celebratory or somber, reflect the complexity of the LGBTQ+ experience, honoring both triumphs and tragedies.

The chorus’s impact extends beyond its members. By participating in events like Placer Pride and performing works like “Considering Matthew Shepard,” the SGMC engages with broader audiences, fostering empathy and understanding. Its inclusivity—welcoming singers of all gender identities and sexual orientations—sets a model for other organizations seeking to build diverse, supportive communities.

Looking Ahead

As the SGMC enters its fifth decade, it faces both opportunities and challenges. The chorus plans to continue expanding its repertoire, exploring new works that reflect the evolving queer experience. Its commitment to inclusivity ensures that it will remain a welcoming space for all who wish to sing, regardless of identity. However, the chorus must also navigate an increasingly polarized political landscape, advocating for the rights and visibility of the LGBTQ+ community.

For founding members like Mangers and Winlock, the SGMC’s 40th anniversary is a moment of pride and reflection. “We’ve come a long way,” Winlock said, smiling at the Southside Park concert. “But there’s still work to be done.” Through its music, the Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus will continue to sing, celebrate, and advocate, ensuring that its harmonious voice resonates for generations to come.