Gay Men's Chorus performs at Washington DC Temple Visitor's Center

[bluebell]

I thought this was awesome.

https://affirmation.org/gay-mens-chorus-washington-performs-dc-temple-visitors-center?fbclid=IwAR2PR3t-wSf4BunyG4XKg28zG0l7b3Ibmsux927sOFSRVy2bIUAkFZAkQhE

Quote

 

This concert marked the first time the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has ever hosted a performance by the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington D.C. This came about when earlier this year Dr. Stephen Whitehead, a member of the LDS Church, presented the idea to Elder and Sister Chappell, the directors of the Washington Temple Visitors’ Center. Dr. Whitehead works with a member of the GMCW, Emérito Amaro-Carambot, and had attended a number of performances by the chorus. Elder and Sister Chappell welcomed the suggestion, listened to a recording of the chorus that touched them very much, and agreed to meet with Dr. Thea Kano, the Artistic Director of the GMCW to discuss the event.

After meeting with Dr. Kano and her assistants, Elder and Sister Chappell extended the invitation to the chorus to be part of the holiday programs at the temple visitors’ center. Elder Chappell said that they were encouraged to take this step of outreach towards the LGBT community because they knew that the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (now the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square) held a joint concert last year in California with the Gay Men’s Chorus of San Francisco. Sister Chappell added that when they approached the Missionary Department about this idea, they were very supportive and saw the performance as a way “to welcome all of God’s children into this building and have them feel loved and accepted and valued and included.” The Chappells’ hope is that this concert is an outreach of love and a warm connection through music for all of us.

The sold-out Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington D.C. performance is one the Chappells were really excited about. Elder Chappell said that only 7 of the 38 concerts in their holiday concert series have sold out so quickly. Other sold-out performances were groups returning to the visitors’ center from previous years. The GMCW is one of very few new groups to sell out this quickly, especially this early in the season.

 

 

[Scott Lloyd]

4 hours ago, bluebell said:

I thought this was awesome.

https://affirmation.org/gay-mens-chorus-washington-performs-dc-temple-visitors-center?fbclid=IwAR2PR3t-wSf4BunyG4XKg28zG0l7b3Ibmsux927sOFSRVy2bIUAkFZAkQhE

 

Isn’t it irregular to have a paid concert in one of the Church’s visitor centers? None of the concerts on Temple Square, including the many groups that perform at Christmas time, have paid admission. 

(I’m assuming use of the term “sold out” indicates admission was charged; maybe I’m wrong in that assumption.)

Edited December 20, 2019 by Scott Lloyd

[gopher]

13 minutes ago, Scott Lloyd said:

Isn’t it irregular to have a paid concert in one of the Church’s visitor centers? None of the groups that perform on Temple Square at Christmas time (excluding the Tabernacle Choir concerts, of course) is paid. 
 

(I’m assuming use of the term “sold out” indicates admission was charged; maybe I’m wrong in that assumption.)

Nope, the auditorium only has around 500 seats so you have to get free tickets to attend.  I agree it's confusing - sold out just means all the tickets have been claimed.

 

[Maidservant]

18 hours ago, Attalus said:

I wonder how to process information like this. Is this to be taken as evidence that we appreciate gay men entertaining us by hearing them sing songs about Christmas?

What if porn stars formed a chorus calling themselves the Porn Star Chorus?  Would the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square want to sing Christmas Songs with them too?  I wonder how many people would want to hear or see them.

*cough* everyone?

That was facetious.

Seriously now.

It's unfortunate that you are choosing to equate a career choice(?) with an important aspect of human nature, how our sexual attractions develop and express; and the need we have at this time in history to make everyone feel safe and seen, regardless of what that is for each of us (including possibly having specific communities, such as choirs, for such).

If a woman or man, who were porn stars, wanted to sing in a ward choir or a community choir, I would welcome them without requiring them to lead with their career, just like I'm sure there are engineers and teachers and whatnot in these choirs, but they don't wear their uniforms to the choir.

Edited December 21, 2019 by Maidservant

[Duncan]

it's interesting that when the Tabernacle Choir sang for Pres. DJT inauguration people lost their mind but now some are losing it over this, I say we get the Smurf choir and call it even

 

[Thinking]

Quote

Sister Chappell added that when they approached the Missionary Department about this idea, they were very supportive and saw the performance as a way “to welcome all of God’s children into this building and have them feel loved and accepted and valued and included.”

Will this be a stepping stone to allow them into the temple?

Edited December 21, 2019 by Thinking

[Scott Lloyd]

18 minutes ago, Thinking said:

Will this be a stepping stone to come them into the temple?

Unlike Church visitors centers, temples, after they are dedicated, do not offer general admission.  
 

Nice try. 

[Scott Lloyd]

30 minutes ago, Duncan said:

it's interesting that when the Tabernacle Choir sang for Pres. DJT inauguration people lost their mind but now some are losing it over this, I say we get the Smurf choir and call it even

 

Who is losing his/her mind over this? Just curious. 

[bluebell]

1 hour ago, Attalus said:

I wonder how to process information like this. Is this to be taken as evidence that we appreciate gay men entertaining us by hearing them sing songs about Christmas?

What if porn stars formed a chorus calling themselves the Porn Star Chorus?  Would the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square want to sing Christmas Songs with them too?  I wonder how many people would want to hear or see them.

Are you suggesting that choosing to be a porn star is similar in God’s eyes to being born gay?

[bluebell]

1 hour ago, Scott Lloyd said:

Isn’t it irregular to have a paid concert in one of the Church’s visitor centers? None of the groups that perform on Temple Square at Christmas time (excluding the Tabernacle Choir concerts, of course) is paid. 
 

(I’m assuming use of the term “sold out” indicates admission was charged; maybe I’m wrong in that assumption.)

I assumed it meant tickets reserved. As in all the available seats have already been reserved. 

[strappinglad]

30 minutes ago, Attalus said:

What is the meaning of this?

The men in this choir are SSA but don't act on it , I'm sure .

That said one would hope that the members of the Tabernacle Choir are not scrutinized for their flaws. 

[Scott Lloyd]

3 hours ago, strappinglad said:

The men in this choir are SSA but don't act on it , I'm sure .

That said one would hope that the members of the Tabernacle Choir are not scrutinized for their flaws. 

Why are you sure they don’t act on it? That has not been stated. 
 

Membership in the Tabernacle Choir is subject to a priesthood leader worthiness interview, and I’m certain the requirements are identical to a temple recommend interview. 
 

Furthermore, members of the Tabernacle Choir are set apart by the choir president, who has ecclesiastical authority to do so. 

Edited December 21, 2019 by Scott Lloyd

[bluebell]

52 minutes ago, Attalus said:

People choose to do what they do, regardless of any tendencies they are born with.  So yes anyone choosing to have immoral sexual relations, whether in front of a camera or not, is choosing to engage in immoral behavior.  "Born that way" is not a valid excuse.

And how do you know these men are choosing to have immoral sexual relations?

[The Nehor]

2 hours ago, Scott Lloyd said:

Why are you sure they don’t act in it? That has not been stated. 

Pretty sure that was a joke.

[Kenngo1969]

4 hours ago, Attalus said:

I was thinking of how they are identified by what we consider to be a type of immoral, unrighteous, sinful behavior. If a Porn Star Chorus isn't quite the same thing to you then consider an Adulterer Chorus, or a Fornicator Chorus, or a Thief Chorus, or a Liar Chorus, or any other type of chorus/ choir which names itself to highlight the particular type of immoral behavior that distinguishes that particular group of people.  ...

It seems as though you're not following then-President Uchtdorf's advice to avoid judging people who sin differently than you do, nor are you following the Savior's advice to avoid casting the first stone.  Was the Apostle Paul wrong when he taught that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23)?  Do you feel like "those gay people" are the only ones who really need a Savior because of their "big sins" (remarks in both sets of quotation marks mine)? 

I'm not sure if this group or similar groups charge admission to some of their performances, or, if they do charge admission, whether it is a primary or a secondary source of income for their members.  But if they do charge admission, and if it is a primary source of income, should they be barred from making a living simply because they sin differently than you do?  Even if it is a side gig or a non-income-producing venture, should they be barred from doing something they enjoy and that they hope their listeners will enjoy simply because they sin differently than you do?  I'm reminded of the conversation between Jim and his wife, Joanne, about Jim's reformed Prodigal brother in the modern-day retelling and 1990s Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints production of The Prodigal Son. 

The supposedly-"faithful" brother's wife tells the judgmental, resentful Jim that he needs Christ just as desperately as anyone else does.  Confused, he asks, "Wait.  Since when have I become the big sinner?"  She says, "The minute that you let your pride convince you that you're better than someone else."  Then she tells him, "Just like cocaine and alcohol almost destroyed your brother, jealousy and bitterness are trying to destroy you," and continues, "If you think you can overcome this bitterness by yourself, you're just fooling yourself.  Tom couldn't overcome his problems alone, and you can't, and I can't.  Nobody can make it halfway through this life or into the next without the Savior."

We're all Prodigals.

Think about it.

 

[Duncan]

5 hours ago, Scott Lloyd said:

Who is losing his/her mind over this? Just curious. 

well, people were upset when the Tabernacle Choir sang at the inauguration and now some seem upset that a gay men's choir is singing at this thing, it seems like now the shoe is on the other foot

Edited December 21, 2019 by Duncan

[Scott Lloyd]

3 hours ago, Duncan said:

well, people were upset when the Tabernacle Choir sang at the inauguration and now some seem upset that a gay men's choir is singing at this thing, it seems like now the shoe is on the other foot

I know there were some who freaked out about the choir performing at the inauguration. I’m just asking who is getting upset about the gay choir at the visitors center. I just haven’t seen any indication of it so far. 

Edited December 21, 2019 by Scott Lloyd

[MustardSeed]

I thought all choirs were gay.?

To be honest, I think it demonstrates flexibility in an area that has been previously ridiculously rigid.  

Beyond that, for me personally, this should not be major news, but rather equal to the excitement of Piano Guys doing a concert.  Great music, free concert, win win! 

[gopher]

17 hours ago, bluebell said:

I assumed it meant tickets reserved. As in all the available seats have already been reserved. 

Because they are free, there is always a problem where people reserve tickets and don't bother to show up.  We did an Easter program that sold out a month in advance with over 50 people on the waitlist. For the performance, there were 5 - 6 empty rows of seats!  It's not easy to get to the DC Temple from anywhere in the DMV so we couldn't call up friends to fill the seats.  It's probably an issue everywhere though.

[Kenngo1969]

1 hour ago, gopher said:

Because they are free, there is always a problem where people reserve tickets and don't bother to show up.  We did an Easter program that sold out a month in advance with over 50 people on the waitlist. For the performance, there were 5 - 6 empty rows of seats!  It's not easy to get to the DC Temple from anywhere in the DMV so we couldn't call up friends to fill the seats.  It's probably an issue everywhere though.

I googled "DC DMV," but the only thing I came up with is "District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles."  

Must be a local thing.  Sorry.

[Calm]

DC, Maryland, Virginia 

[gopher]

2 hours ago, Kenngo1969 said:

I googled "DC DMV," but the only thing I came up with is "District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles."  

Must be a local thing.  Sorry.

Sorry, it's what the cool kids now call DC, Maryland (southern), and Virginia (northern).  It's become one big suburb.

[Kenngo1969]

On 12/21/2019 at 2:15 PM, gopher said:

Sorry, it's what the cool kids now call DC, Maryland (southern), and Virginia (northern).  It's become one big suburb.

Ah.  Thanks for clarifying.  I don't often have occasion to refer to the DC-Southern-Maryland-Northern-Virginia area, since I'm waaaaaaaaay west of there, but when I do, I'll try to remember to refer to it as "the DMV."  I wouldn't want anyone thinking I'm not one of the cool kids.  

 

 

 

Edited December 24, 2019 by Kenngo1969

[Scott Lloyd]

7 hours ago, gopher said:

Because they are free, there is always a problem where people reserve tickets and don't bother to show up.  We did an Easter program that sold out a month in advance with over 50 people on the waitlist. For the performance, there were 5 - 6 empty rows of seats!  It's not easy to get to the DC Temple from anywhere in the DMV so we couldn't call up friends to fill the seats.  It's probably an issue everywhere though.

The Tabernacle Choir organization routinely overbooks it’s free concerts and maintains standby lines in anticipation of no-shows. 

At the recent Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert, I waited in the standby line. They brought us in and seated us in the Salt Lake Tabernacle for our wait time so we wouldn’t have to stand in the cold. My seat was on the very last row of the tabernacle, yet I still eventually got seated in the Conference Center. 

[Scott Lloyd]

6 hours ago, Kenngo1969 said:

I googled "DC DMV," but the only thing I came up with is "District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles."  

Must be a local thing.  Sorry.

 

3 hours ago, gopher said:

Sorry, it's what the cool kids now call DC, Maryland (southern), and Virginia (northern).  It's become one big suburb.

 

2 hours ago, Kenngo1969 said:

Ah.  Thanks for clarifying.  I don't often have occasion to refer to the DC-Southern-Maryland-Northern-Virginia area, since I'm waaaaaaaaay west of there, but when I do, I'll try to remember to refer to it as "the DMV."  I wouldn't want anyone thinking I'm not one of the cool kids.

My high school junior is learning vocabulary words in his English class, and this is the sort of thing he has learned to call jargon.