For 44 years, the Homosexual Males’s Refrain of Washington (GMCW) has served as a robust voice for love, unity, and pleasure amongst Washington’s LGBTQ group and its allies. Since its first efficiency in 1981—on the opening of the Nationwide Homosexual Activity Pressure’s Washington workplace (later changing into the Nationwide LGBTQ Activity Pressure)—GMCW has constructed a politically engaged and culturally important legacy as one of many nation’s foremost LGBTQ performing arts organizations.
As its music and mission advanced, GMCW deepened its involvement in supporting LGBTQ people and allies alike. In 2004, the refrain launched its first Spring Affair fundraiser. This annual occasion not solely generates monetary assist for the inclusive choral group, but in addition honors people and organizations within the Washington group who exemplify GMCW’s mission of unity, fairness, and empowerment by means of music.
Every year on the Spring Affair gala, the refrain honors one group chief, one exterior group, and one GMCW member. For the 2025 gala, GMCW will acknowledge Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, Atlas Performing Arts Heart, and GMCW member Keygan Miller.
“These honorees remind us why we sing,” mentioned Thea Kano, inventive director of the Homosexual Males’s Refrain of Washington, DC, in an e-mail. “In moments when our group has wanted power, they’ve provided hope. Whether or not it’s a courageous voice from the pulpit, a tireless advocate for our youth, or a company that opens its doorways to each story—every has chosen to guide with love, reality, and braveness. Their work conjures up our music and deepens our mission.”
GMCW will honor Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, the primary girl elected to guide the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, as its 2025 particular person award recipient. A longtime champion of fairness and inclusion, Bishop Budde gained nationwide prominence through the Inaugural Prayer Service at Washington Nationwide Cathedral, the place she spoke on to newly sworn-in President Donald Trump.
“Have mercy, Mr. President,” she implored, lifting the hopes of probably the most weak Individuals focused by Trump’s insurance policies—notably LGBTQ and immigrant communities. Her daring phrases signaled to the nation that she stays a real and outspoken voice for justice, unity, and reality, inspiring compassion and religion inside and past her spiritual group.
GMCW will current the Concord Award for an Group to the Atlas Performing Arts Heart, situated within the historic H Avenue, N.E. hall. In 2024 alone, Atlas hosted greater than 400 occasions and offered $1.6 million in free and discounted tickets, arts schooling, group programming, and area use. By way of this work, Atlas has amplified “inventive voices that replicate the complete range of our group.”
The middle has lengthy partnered with GMCW, providing area for open mic nights, cabarets, GenOUT Refrain occasions just like the Youth Summit, and even memorial providers reminiscent of that for Bobby T. Boaz. Atlas exemplifies GMCW’s mission of storytelling, fairness, and civic connection by means of applications just like the INTERSECTIONS Competition and Metropolis at Peace.
“We’re completely thrilled and deeply honored that the Atlas Performing Arts Heart has been named a recipient of the GMCW Concord Award! This recognition is a robust affirmation of our dedication to uplifting voices, fostering inclusive inventive expression, and constructing an area the place everybody feels seen, heard, and celebrated,” mentioned Jarrod Bennett, Govt Director of the Atlas Performing Arts Heart.
“On the Atlas, our mission is rooted within the perception that the humanities are for everybody—and that by means of efficiency, dialogue, and group, we may help form a extra simply, compassionate world. To be acknowledged by the Homosexual Males’s Refrain of Washington, DC—a company that has lengthy stood on the forefront of championing equality and advancing the well-being of the LGBTQ+ group—is a profound and humbling honor. We proceed to be impressed by GMCW’s work and are proud to face alongside them on this shared imaginative and prescient. Thanks, GMCW, for this stunning recognition. We feature it ahead with gratitude and renewed vitality for the work forward.”
Lastly, GMCW will honor Keygan Miller, a refrain member since 2017, for his or her management, advocacy, and dedication to fairness each onstage and off. Inside GMCW, Miller served as Vice President of Range and Inclusion, led conversations to develop trans inclusion, authored the “Day One” pledge, and performed a vital position in shaping inclusive programming.
Exterior the refrain, Miller serves as Director of Public Coaching for The Trevor Venture, a nationwide nonprofit targeted on disaster intervention and suicide prevention providers for LGBTQ youth below 25. They beforehand labored as an Advocacy Supervisor on the Trevor Venture, the place they championed insurance policies defending LGBTQ+ youth at each degree of presidency.
As GMCW continues its mission to uplift and unite by means of music, the group encourages new voices to affix its ranks. GMCW welcomes all singers—no matter gender id or sexual orientation—who can sing within the decrease vocal registers.
The 2025 Spring Affair Gala will happen on Might 17, 2025, at The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C. This annual profit helps GMCW’s inventive and academic programming. For tickets, audition data, and extra, go to GMCW.org.
