The group will visit Mississippi, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee with a message of equality and dignity.
The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus (SFGMC) will celebrate the start of its 40th season with The Lavender Pen Tour, a series of performances taking place across five Southern states, October 7-15. According to a statement from the organization, their hope is “to take its message and music on the road to promote universal equality and inclusiveness, and the value in treating all individuals – irrespective of differences – with dignity.”
The name of the tour references the 1977 signing of a gay civil rights bill sponsored by gay activist and San Francisco City Supervisor, Harvey Milk. Mayor George Moscone used a lavender pen—a gift from Milk—to sign the bill into law.
“As has been evidenced in the recent weeks, we as a country have a long road to travel. After spending a week in the South last month with our beneficiaries and community partners, I learned that hope – the unbreakable and audacious idea that Harvey Milk built his life on and inspired us to do the same – is very much alive,” added Chris Verdugo, SFGMC Executive Director, in the statement.
For the five concerts, the SFGMC will be joined by the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, a group of individuals of diverse races, cultures and faiths, that use black gospel and spiritual music to inspire joy. Proceeds from the shows will also raise money for the often underfunded LGBT nonprofit organizations in the communities they visit.
Sunday, October 8, 2017 (7:30pm) – Jackson, MS / Thalia Mara Hall
Tuesday, October 10, 2017 (7:30pm) – Birmingham, AL / Alys Stephens Center
Wednesday, October 11, 2017 (8:00pm) – Knoxville, TN / Knoxville Civic Auditorium
Friday, October 13, 2017 (7:00pm) – Greenville, SC / First Baptist Church
Saturday, October 14, 2017 (7:30pm) – Charlotte, NC / Ovens Auditorium
For additional information or to purchase tickets, go to sfgmc.org.
