Who We Are
The Orlando Gay Chorus (OGC) is one of the largest mixed LGBTQ+ choruses in the country. Rooted in love, OGC was founded on Valentine’s Day in 1990. OGC has been a fixture in the Central Florida area for over 35 years. In addition to the full chorus, OGC has six small ensembles that perform at the annual concerts and cabarets, as well as at community and private events.
Comprised of LGBTQ+ individuals and many allies from all walks of life, all ages, and all backgrounds, OGC warmly welcomes all who would like to join them in their goal of changing hearts and minds in Central Florida and throughout the world.
The Orlando Gay Chorus (OGC) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit arts and humanitarian organization. The members of the chorus, now 150+ strong, are thankful to be able to carry on the mission and vision. The musical artistry speaks directly to the pride in the LGBTQ+ community and offers the world a chance to see beyond headlines and contentious social issues to build bridges of understanding and love.
OUR MISSION
To create a community that affirms diversity through the performing arts.
OUR VISION
To create impactful change in the community as a proactive force for equity, inclusion, and authenticity.
OUR VALUES
Authenticity
Diversity
Quality
Creativity
Artistic Excellence
Community
OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES
The Orlando Gay Chorus is committed to:
Providing high quality, skilled performances in an environment that maintains an atmosphere of integrity, honesty and mutual respect.
Offering educational, cultural, and social enrichment for our members and our audience through excellence in the arts.
Making our performances accessible to all people.
LIVING OUR MISSION
As part of the Central Florida Arts Community, the Orlando Gay Chorus often performs at Central Florida pride events, sporting events, and various other community engagements. In addition to our two main stage concerts in December and May, we present smaller cabarets and take our show on the road at least once a year to cities outside of Orlando, like Sanford, Ormand Beach, Cocoa, and more.
The Orlando Gay Chorus has performed in many GALA (Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses) Festivals, most memorably during the 2016 Denver festival, shortly after the Pulse tragedy. It was immensely impactful to perform in front of an audience of 3000 GALA Chorus members and supporters from around the world.
In the years since the Pulse tragedy, OGC and its ensembles continue to be ambassadors of hope and healing to the victims’ families, survivors, and those affected by the Pulse tragedy, performing in over 150 Pulse-related community engagements in the first year alone.
Due to its 30+ years of service to the community, OGC was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2020 Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast & Center Awards by the LGBT+ Center in Orlando.
Despite the challenges of singing during a pandemic, OGC continued its life-saving and community affirming work, following strict protocols to ensure the safety of our performers, volunteers, and staff. Following a brief hiatus of virtual workshops, rehearsals, and online performances, OGC was able to resume in-person performances and delight audiences once again.
Orlando Gay Chorus Gives Back
In addition to our music, the Orlando Gay Chorus is known for our humanitarian efforts throughout the year. Every November, the sections of the Chorus sponsor families in need for Thanksgiving Day meal baskets.
Proudly, the Orlando Gay Chorus hosts the longest continuous US Marine Corps Reserve Toys For Tots campaign in Central Florida. We present toys and a donation check each year to the marines during our holiday concerts!
Each spring, we donate food items and clothing to various drives in the Central Florida community.
We also donate our time and talents with performances at benefits and community awareness events.
Affiliations
The Orlando Gay Chorus is a member of GALA Choruses, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization serving the LGBTQ+ choral movement. Founded in 1982 by fourteen choruses, GALA Choruses has become the leading international association of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender choruses.
The mission of GALA Choruses is inspiring and strengthening member choruses to change their worlds through song. By fostering the artistic and organizational development of member choruses through a wide variety of programs and services, GALA Choruses produces choral festivals, educational conferences and several publications. It engages in advocacy; provides grants for the commissioning of new choral works; facilitates networking within the Association; and serve as a resource center for choruses and individual Associates from around the world.
GALA Choruses supports more than 190 choruses, representing 7500+ performers singing to audiences totaling more than one million individuals.
The Orlando Gay Chorus is a member of the One Orlando Alliance, the Pride Chamber, and the Edyth Bush Institute.
Licenses
The Orlando Gay Chorus is licensed by ASCAP, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers and by BMI, Broadcast Music, Inc., organizations which collect license fees on behalf of songwriters, composers and music publishers and distributes them as royalties to those members whose works have been performed.
Any unauthorized audio recording, video recording or still photography of OGC performances is strictly prohibited.