Assembly Resolution No. 380

BY: M. of A. Bronson

COMMEMORATING the 40th Anniversary of the
Rochester Gay Men's Chorus' first performance on May
7, 2023

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those musical organizations that have brought entertainment and
cultural enrichment to the citizens of the great State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Rochester Gay Men's Chorus'
first performance to be celebrated on Sunday, May 7, 2023, at the Inn on
Broadway, Rochester, New York; and

WHEREAS, In November of 1982, five friends, David Knoll, Bob
Olsowki, Kent Peterson, Ken Setera, and Nicholas Williams, created the
Rochester Gay Men's Chorus to pursue a dream of using music to create an
acceptance of social diversity and to use the harmony of voice to create
a harmony of the spirit; and

WHEREAS, On the 18th of that month, the first rehearsal was held in
Kent Peterson's living room, and six months later, on Saturday, May 7,
1983, the Rochester Gay Men's Chorus performed their first concert,
entitled Rochester Gay Men's Chorus in Concert, at Calvary Street St.
Andrews Church; and

WHEREAS, By then, the Chorus consisted of 18 singers; in addition to
the original five members, they were joined by Lavern Doud, Steven Getz,
Michael Holden, Steven Jarose, Chuck Kruppenbacher, David Merrill , Bill
Metz, Pat Moran, Greg Partridge, John Rutkowksi, David Skinner, John
Strawway, Chuck Telier, and Del Titus; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the last four decades, the members of the
Rochester Gay Men's Chorus have continuously sung for themselves to make
glorious music with friends who experience the world as we do and who
share our joy in standing together; have sung for their sisters and
brothers in the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community to
embody pride, family, and a sense of home; have sung for their friends
and supporters who join with us to overcome ignorance and prejudice; and
have sung for those unknown and unseen, awakening to who they are, in
closets of oppression, or in search of community, that they may see our
faces and hear our joy and know that the night is not forever, and that
there are friends and brothers to light their way and to welcome them
home; and

WHEREAS, After four decades of success, the Rochester Gay Men's
Chorus will celebrate their legacy and future in the LGBTQ community,
the City of Rochester, State of New York, Nation, and World; and

WHEREAS, The arts, in whatever form depicted, are central to human
expression; they are truly a universal language and their contribution
to the development of friendship and understanding among all peoples
cannot be overestimated; and


WHEREAS, The history, the heritage, and the lives of the people of
all backgrounds and all cultures are portrayed in their music; the art
and act of sharing them enriches us altogether; and

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body that when
musical societies of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to
our attention, they should be recognized by all the citizens of this
great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Rochester Gay Men's Chorus'
first performance on May 7, 2023; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Rochester Gay Men's Chorus.