The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington performing in concert. (Image courtesy GMCW.)You already know about the big names performing at Sunday afternoon’s inaugural concert at the Lincoln Memorial. Beyoncé, Garth Brooks, Bruce Springsteen and U2, to name a few. A local group can also be added to that stellar lineup.
This week, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington (GMCW) announced they will also perform at the concert. The Washington Blade reports that HBO approached the group to perform at the concert, which will be televised Sunday evening on the cable network.
GMCW announced that 100 of its 250 members will perform at the event. In a statement, GMCW Artistic Director Jeff Buhrman said, “For over 30 years, GLBT choruses have used music as a mechanism to change hearts and minds. And by appearing on a national stage, we will serve as role models for many gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, and questioning youth.”
This isn’t the first-ever inaugural event the group has performed at. The GMCW performed at an event commemorating President Bill Clinton’s second inaugural.
The concert will include an invocation by the openly gay Right Rev. Gene Robinson, a bishop of the Episcopal Church. Tuesday’s inaugural parade will also feature an LGBT marching band for the first time in history.
Given the history of inaugural events, this is shaping up to be the gayest one yet, controversial religious figures notwithstanding.