We did it. We made history. The Portland Gay Men's Chorus is now the first US LGBTQ chorus to have toured and performed in China. Yesterday 90+ singers and tour participants returned to Portland after their historic 11 day tour of Beijing, Xi’An, Suzhou and Shanghai.And I had the privilege of being along for the ride.

We were joined in song and community with two LGBTQ choirs in China — the Beijing Queer Chorus and Shanghai Hyperbolic Singers. It was an amazing artistic collaboration and cultural exchange.

I want to thank the many individuals who came together to make this trip possible. Six deserve special mention. Rick, without whose vision, tenacity and indefatigable energy our China outreach never would have happened. To Gary and Terrill, whose planning literally made every logistical aspect of the tour “sing.” And to Mary, Erik and Evan who stepped up to conduct our performances when sadly at the last minute Bob, our artistic director, couldn’t travel with us.

The trip was life changing and life affirming for me. To support the advocacy of LGBTQ rights in China was profoundly gratifying and inspiring.

Over the next few days I’ll be posting photos and stories from my travels in China.

To borrow from the mission of the Beijing Queer Chorus, “sing for a better world.” I am so proud to be a member of the PGMC community.