WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C. (GMCW) will embark on its first-ever bus tour of the south entitled Southern Equality Tour, traveling to states that have discriminatory laws against the LGBTQ community. GMCW will take its message of equality, dignity, and justice to six states over four days. They will partner with local churches, LGBTQ centers, and Pride celebrations to raise awareness and much-needed funds, so these organizations can continue to do the vital work that they do. GMCW’s Southern Equality Tour will bring people together and start conversations while spreading a message of equality through song.
Cities to be visited on the tour include Chapel Hill, NC; Columbia, SC; Atlanta, GA; Birmingham, AL; Knoxville, TN; and Roanoke, VA.
In Chapel Hill, GMCW will perform a benefit concert at Binkley Baptist Church, a church known for its strong peace and justice programs. In Columbia, SC, GMCW will collaborate with the Midlands Men’s Chorus at the Reformation Lutheran Church in Columbia for a performance to benefit the Harriet Hancock LGBT Center. in Atlanta, GMCW will raise their voices with the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus at the Georgia State Capitol at the invitation of the office of Representative Karla Drenner, the first ever openly gay member of the Georgia General Assembly.
In Alabama, GMCW will perform at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Birmingham, where they will be joined by the Steel City Men’s Chorus. Then they head to Knoxville, TN for three performances. First, GMCW will appear at Knoxville Pride, side by side with the Knoxville Gay Men’s Chorus. Following that, they will sing at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Church in Knoxville later that day, and then the following morning as part of the church’s regular worship service. And finally, GMCW will give a concert at the Metropolitan Church of the Blue Ridge to benefit the Diversity Center of Roanoke, VA.
The tour is incredibly timely and relevant, considering the religious freedom executive order recently signed by the president. GMCW is taking this tour because the news of them being in town can make the difference for that bullied gay kid, or the student who is afraid to come out to his family. They are also taking this tour to stand up to those who are trying to move the clock back on the equality movement.
