I’ve only ever had a dim awareness of the existence of gay organisations.
Aside from the obvious Mardi Gras and organisations built around sexual health and mental well-being, I’ve been uncharacteristically unperturbed by other queer spheres outside that general area. I realise this means that I’ve not been doing my duty as a queer citizen or something – but the truth is not so much laziness as it is ignorance of possibility.
I’d heard jokes about lesbians being super into sports, and I always considered softball to be notoriously gay – but somehow I never thought about this beyond the abstract. I seemed to miss the part where there were actual groups of queers doing actual activities together, and sometimes achieving a hell of a lot to boot. I knew the theatre and the arts and certain sports have been queer domains throughout their history, but beyond high school I never realised it was possible to make a life out of, for example, being queer and musical.
It was definitely stupid and short-sighted of me – my only defence is that I put those groups into the same basket where I’d carefully hidden away things like ‘marriage’ and ‘procreation’ and that’s how they became separated from my everyday life. Something like a queer acting troupe existed in the abstract but wasn’t tangibly part of my community.
It wasn’t until I accidentally walked in on the Gay Men’s Chorus in San Francisco did I think to myself, “Oh wow, a group of gay people… doing something unrelated to sex or queerness.” I realise this isn’t politically correct, but it was my immediate thought. For me, queer gatherings were more about the discussion of queerness than of the actual gathering. I didn’t gather with other queers to knit or sing or make art – I just needed to be around other people who were similar to me in their experience of marginalisation so I could feel less like a freak. I was far too self-hating to explore anything beyond that immediate need for spiritual relief.
But I digress. The real story here is not just about my astounding ignorance, but about the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir (SGLC)[pictured above].
The SGLC is a non-auditioned choir and all-inclusive (queers of all shades and configurations are welcome), and was established after a letter was published in the Sydney Star Observer in 1990 calling for expressions of interest in forming a choir.
The SGLC has provided the soundtrack to queer community events and celebrations for 26 years and has also toured across Europe, North America and New Zealand.
The choir’s eminent music director, Dr. Sarah Penicka-Smith, has decided to move on from her role following this year’s Mardi Gras after 12 years of leadership. Her credentials are intimidatingly impressive: along with her work at the SGLC, she’s also directed the 61st Intervarsity Choral Festival in Canberra and started working with chamber opera company Opera Prometheus.
Her opera credits include Purcell’s The Fairy Queen with SGLC, which was, unbelievably, the first opera ever staged by a queer choir.
“SGLC is more than a choir,” said Penicka-Smith upon the announcement of her departure. “It’s both community and family to many of its members. Helping everyone to feel included, no matter which part of our community they’re from or how much singing experience they have, is a big part of my role and has helped me to appreciate the amazing personal journey that every person brings to our ensemble.”
Associate conductors Adam Majsay and Rachelle Elliott will continue working with the choir until the recruitment process for Penicka-Smith’s successor begins later this year.
Oh, and by the way, I just want to reiterate: the first opera ever staged by a queer choir. I read this and couldn’t believe it. Opera is art and art hasn’t exactly been what you’d call unreachable for the queers, historically. I didn’t know that there were still realms in the arts where queers are still doing ‘firsts’ and not ‘millionths’.
I guess it’s possible to be living in a bubble inside another bubble. The first opera in the world ever staged by a queer choir – how cool is that? It might be time for me to pay a little more attention to my extended queer family.
For The Diary:
On Wednesday January 25, MaleBox celebrates its 18th year at Stonewall on Oxford Street. The beautiful Marilyn Mootrub and Maleman Francis will be hosting, making sure all the letters are delivered, so to speak. All men are welcome, entry is free.
On Thursday January 26, head on over to The Shift Club to see a show you won’t soon forget. Alaska Thunderfuck is in town to promote her new album Poundcake. She’s been described as equally influenced by Divine and Britney Spears, so the Poundcake Tour is sure to leave you breathless and satisfied. Tickets are available now.
On Saturday January 28,get down to Freda’s in Chippendale to pay tribute to George Michael and Wham! with Club Tropicana. The live tribute features Freda’s house band with Personal Best, Touch Sensitive, The Goods and Harry Sutherland. Vocalists include Marcus Whale, Black Tree and Alex Cross, plus more to be announced. Entry is $10.
