Our chorus was started to create a safe space for people who live their lives the way I do, for gay men.

We've, of course, now expanded to accept all from anyone on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum but it started off as a safe space and as a marginalized group of people, our very existence is a political act.

I hold back these tears Christmas But it Christmas Day Please, please Even just us being together became a statement to the world, to the community, that this is a place where you could come and be who you are and that is inherently in activism, that is the root of our activism, just our mere existence and our joy in singing.

Baby please come home Christmas Baby please come home Christmas Oh yeah yeah yeah Christmas One, two, three, and Wait!

Oh, yes.

Wait a minute, Mr.

Postman.

Wait!

Wait, wait, wait Mr.

Postman.

I had heard of the chorus before.

I was watching the Oscars and all of a sudden there's the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles backing them up.

And I was watching and I was like, man, why am I not doing that?

Why am I not up there?

That looks like a blast.

Two weeks later, I was auditioning, and I made it in.

Please Mr.

Postman, look and see.

Is there a letter?

A letter for me?

There's healing in music.

There's universal understanding in music.

Would just a card or just a letter saying he'll be coming home to me Oh Mr.

Postman oh, yeah.

There was one moment in particular that made me really just want to stand on a corner and shout for our rights.

And it was right after the Pulse shooting, gathered at the steps of City Hall.

There was probably about 150 of us that went up there that day and sang on the steps.

And it just felt like an incredibly powerful moment that I could be part of and just show that we have some power, taking it back.

We shall overcome Music has always been part of my life and combining my love of music with activism in the gay with activism in the gay community was really perfect, and it was the main reason that drew me to GMCLA When I first joined 20 years ago, we were still holding memorials for members who were passing away of AIDS and HIV related complications.

It was a sobering moment in my life to get to know people who weren't there.

Shortly after that activism that I had sort of seen from afar really hit home.

Being able to literally raise my voice in public, as part of a community was the most powerful thing I could do to help end this epidemic and to help other people.

Do your best and make it quick Our song is filled with our experience.

It is informed by everything we are and all that we do Bring me a man, bring me a man Bring me a man!

Three, four, five, six, seven.