Boston Gay Men's Chorus and Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles Face Off in World Series Challenge

BOSTON, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Boston Gay Men's Chorus (BGMC) issued a World Series challenge to the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles. If the Boston Red Sox defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fall classic, the LA Chorus will perform Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline," a tradition at Fenway Park. If the Dodgers are victorious, BGMC will perform Randy Newman's "I Love LA" and make it available online. The winner will also make a donation to GALA Choruses, the North American association serving the LGBTQ choral moving, for its work supporting emerging LGBTQ choruses.

"This is a friendly wager, but we're taking it seriously," said BGMC Executive Director Craig Coogan. "The Red Sox are not only seeking their fourth championship in the last 15 years, they are also striving to keep the world safe from Dodgers' shortstop Manny Machado."

"We were delighted to accept this challenge from the Boston Gay Men's Chorus," said Jonathan Weedman, executive director of the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles. "This will be a great series between two amazing teams; but we're shipping the musical arrangement for "I Love LA" to Boston today. So start rehearsing guys!"

Both the Red Sox and the Dodgers are among Major League Baseball's most LGBTQ-friendly clubs. The Red Sox has publicly supported Question 3 on the Massachusetts ballot November 6 which, if approved by voters, will keep the state's 2016 transgender civil rights law on the books. Last week, the club announced that it was contributing $200,000 to Fenway Health for its anti-violence work with LGBTQ youth.

The Dodgers have the largest LGBTQ Pride Night in all of Major League Baseball that features the KissCam zooming in on same-sex couples, rainbow regalia throughout the park, and LGBTQ-themed Dodgers' t-shirts. One of the club's senior vice presidents, Erik Braverman, is the most powerful out LGBTQ person in the league.

About the Boston Gay Men's Chorus
The Boston Gay Men's Chorus is one of New England's largest and most successful community-based choruses. Founded in 1982, the 200-voice ensemble is celebrated for its outstanding musicianship, creative programming, and groundbreaking community outreach. Under the dynamic leadership of Music Director Reuben M. Reynolds III, the BGMC sings a wide spectrum of classical and popular music and creates social change by providing a positive, affirming image of the gay and lesbian community. The Chorus is heard live by more than 10,000 people each season and thousands more through recording, television and internet broadcasts. CBS-WBZ named the Boston Gay Men's Chorus one of the "top 5" choruses in the city of Boston. BGMC are Cultural Ambassadors — being the first LGBT chorus to perform in Poland in 2005, the Middle East in 2015 and in South Africa in June 2018.

About the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles
GMCLA has garnered international acclaim for artistic excellence while remaining deeply rooted in service to the Los Angeles community and beyond by promoting civil rights, tolerance and acceptance through music. Founded in 1979 during the emergence of the gay civil rights movement, critics have proclaimed the chorus "inspired," "expressive, innovative, and utterly moving," and hailed it for presenting "meaningful entertainment."

Contact:  Susan Ryan-Vollmar, 617.999.5644, [email protected]

SOURCE Boston Gay Men's Chorus