Today to reflect on those we’ve lost, those who are still living with HIV/AIDS, and how we can support a world where the health & life of ALL, matters! ❤️

Portland Gay Men’s Chorus was founded in the shadow of this disease! Little did we know that it would take over 125 of our members & many more than that, we don’t know about!

Check out this article on “How to Mobilize a City” by Daniel Borgen with sharing from PGMC Founding Member Steve Fulmer (current Board Secretary) about the early days of the pandemic & PGMC’s involvement.

Phoenix Rising, a local service agency, formed a committee called Cascade AIDS Project! PGMC raised $2300 from our “Our Best To You” concert in 1984 for funding CHESS (Community Health & Essential Support Services) for a plethora of needed services & PAL (Personal Active Listeners) & Personal Support Team to support newly diagnosed. PGMC members were hyper-involved volunteers.

In 1986, we joined in an AIDS fundraiser with the Oregon Symphony, Portland Choral Consortium, Portland Civic Theatre & the Woody Hite Big Band in a “Performing Artists for Life” concert at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.

  • Performed at “Music for Life” concert at MCC in 1987
  • Performed both times the “Names Quilt” was in Portland – 1988 & 1993
  • Performed at annual AIDS Candlelight Vigils, Mass, & Memorials (1987-1992)
  • Performed “A Family Christmas” fundraiser 1991-1993 with 6 AIDS services as beneficiaries
  • State bus tours in 1992 to 5 cities with all proceeds going to local AIDS organizations
Received a “Special Recognition Award” in 1992 from the Metropolitan Human Relations Commission for our community service work + building bridges of understanding through music.

In 1995, we partnered with the Oregon Health Division and created our 1st CD called Breaking the Silence With Song. “The music, words, and message presented a story of living with & through the epidemic.” The songs were heartfelt & caring. The CD was given to recently diagnosed patients throughout Oregon.

In 1996, we started the creation of our version of the AIDS Names Quilt called the “Celebration Project”

  • Performed at Portland World AIDS Day in 1998 & 2002
  • Performed at a St. Helen’s AIDS Benefit in 2000
  • Outreach Tours in 1993/1994/1996 to 7 cities in Oregon with local AIDS orgs getting all proceeds

Won the “Queer Heroes Award” in 2013 from GLAPN, Gay & Lesbian Archives of the Pacific NW, we were described in part, as “a mainstay during the toughest years of the HIV Pandemic.”

Honored with the “Heroes of HIV Award” from Cascade AIDS Project for “outstanding dedication & service in the fight against HIV in 2017. All the while, singing for lives in concerts, singing “The Rose” over & over at the many Memorial Services, being on support teams & hospice care teams and many of us wondering if we would survive!

PGMC is made up of resilient, committed, determined, supportive & caring people.

We take a few moments to reflect on our community and the positive impact & difference that we make in the world.

I am so proud of who we are 💜🌈🎶❤️🤗🌹 and who we will become!

Gary Coleman
Founding Member