2017 Spirit of Stonewall Awardees
Every year, San Diego Pride accepts nominations from the community for the annual presentation of the Spirit of Stonewall Awards. The awards recognize individuals or groups who contribute significantly to the LGBT community through their leadership, activism, and fundraising efforts.
Click here for a full list of our awardees.
Spirit of Stonewall Award – Stonewall Service
Awarded to a group or organization, which may or may not identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, but who has stalwartly supported the LGBT community over an extended period of years and/or has made an exceptional contribution in the past year.
2017 Recipient – San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus
With more than 250 members, the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus is packed full of singers on a mission to change lives one voice at a time. Founded 32 years ago during the AIDS crisis and rampant discrimination, the volunteer singers have always stood loud and proud, embracing the positive power of music to change hearts and minds.
Today, the Chorus has sung at the White House, the Super Bowl and most every venue in San Diego from Petco Park’s center field to the Mayor’s inauguration. Just weeks ago, SDGMC’s acclaimed Chamber Chorale made its Lincoln Center debut, bringing to the world’s most famous stage the anti-bullying message of gay music student Tyler Clementi in Tyler’s Suite.
The San Diego Union-Tribune recently hailed SDGMC as “San Diego’s gay ambassadors” on its front page, acknowledging the group’s bridge-building successes. The Greater San Diego Business Association named the Chorus as Non-Profit of the Year for 2016, and CityBeat Magazine named SDGMC “Best Performing Arts Group” in San Diego 2016.
During the past year, in partnership with the San Diego Padres, the Chorus helped more than 800 LGBT youth attend its concerts for free. The singers partnered with the California Youth Conservatory Theatre in its production of Billy Elliot—The Musical. Currently underway is the musical version of children’s book A Peacock Among Pigeons, about celebrating what makes us stand out in a crowd with an anti-bullying message of special relevance to LGBT youth.
SDGMC is committed to serving its community even beyond its music. Most recently, it partnered with the Tijuana AIDS hospice to gather and deliver “wish list” supplies, conducted a food drive for Mama’s Kitchen and helped local Wounded Warriors families sit down to a festive Christmas dinner. The Chorus has also partnered with Rady Children’s Hospital Gender Management Clinic, the Veterans Village of San Diego, and the Boys and Girls Clubs.
This summer, Sycuan Casino presents SDGMC’s blockbuster show DIVAS at the Balboa Theatre.
Chloe Janda is San Diego Pride's Public Relations Manager and an ally to the LGBTQ+ community. She oversees the media relations and content creation for Pride's festival and parade, and some events and programs throughout the year. She is also the Public Relations & Communications Coordinator at Brown Marketing Strategies. Outside of Pride, Chloe plays Masters Water Polo, is an avid podcast listener, standup comedy fan, beach lover and social media junkie.
