The AIDS epidemic forever changed queer culture across the United States when it began in the 1980s. The gay community in Minneapolis did their best to take it in stride, which led to the creation of the Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus. Former Executive Director Kevin Stocks explains how Legacy funds allow the organization to keep evolving and moving forward.
Transcript
Opening: This is Minnesota’s Legacy: A look at the organizations and people who have benefitted from Minnesota’s unique Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment
Britt Aamodt: The Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus gave its first concert May 15, 1981—but without the “Gay” in the name. It was a time when men could lose their jobs—not to mention their families—if they came out publicly.
Clip of The Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus singing
Aamodt: And in just over a year, the world would suddenly get a lot more difficult.
Kevin Stocks: Gay men and trans women were dying at unprecedented rates because of this new, novel virus that we didn't know a whole lot about.
Aamodt: HIV/AIDS. Kevin Stocks is the current director of the chorus.
Stocks: And one of the ways that the community came together to support themselves and to get their message across were to come together to sing.
Clip of The Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus singing
Aamodt: The chorus, officially renamed The Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus in 1991, draws from a wide variety of music for its concerts and has commissioned a number of original works. The Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage has been a partner in helping the chorus do what it does best.
Clip of The Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus singing; sounds of applause
Stocks: The chorus has been doing their thing, and their thing is building community through music and singing about the topics and the issues that impact our community.
Closing: Minnesota’s Legacy is a production of AMPERS, with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, more at ampers dot org.