Buffalo Gay Men's Chorus bounces back after cancellation

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Gay Men’s Chorus will still perform at the Summer Choir Festival after it was canceled by the Diocese of Buffalo, which cited the group’s “values which are incompatible with Catholic teaching.”

The festival, organized by the Greater Buffalo Friends of Music, is no longer held at St. Joseph Cathedral. Instead, it will be held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church on Main Street on June 9 at 5 p.m.

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The Summer Choir Festival has been moved to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

It takes place on June 9 at 5 p.m.

The Diocese of Buffalo canceled the event two weeks in advance, citing a lineup that included the Buffalo Gay Men’s Chorus and a disagreement between the group’s and church’s values.

BGMC members said they have received an outpouring of support since the decision.

The full list of choirs present was included in the Cathedral bulletins of May 12 and 19.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the diocese said:

“In planning to serve as the venue for the Summer Choir Festival originally scheduled for Sunday, June 9, the diocese did not receive full details of the expected choirs until the event was confirmed. When all participants were confirmed, the diocese chose not to host the concert because the choir identified to perform is a group whose values are incompatible with Catholic teaching. Although we are disappointed to have had to cancel the concert, we understand that. Another venue has been identified for the concert.»

Dr. Rob Strauss, artistic director of the Buffalo Gay Men’s Chorus, said he was disappointed by the decision.

“It was a bit of a head in hands moment thinking: haven’t we gone further than this in 2024?” he said.

The group’s mission statement on its website reads: “The Buffalo Gay Men’s Chorus is dedicated to the production of high quality vocal music in the rich tradition of men’s choral singing. We seek through song not only to entertain, but also to enlighten. We sing to create harmony as we celebrate pride in the community and ourselves.

Dr. Strauss said BGMC exists for times like this.

“You don’t have to be straight. You don’t have to identify as male to sing with us. We have a really good cross-section of people and it’s interesting, fascinating, wonderful to see them interact , to learn from each other, I think that’s beautiful too,” he said.

Following the diocese’s decision to cancel the festival, Tim Socha, music director of St. Joseph Cathedral and artistic director of Greater Buffalo Friends of Music, tendered his resignation from the cathedral after 17 years.

Congressman Tim Kennedy called for the decision to be overturned in a letter to Bishop Michael Fisher.

“Growing up Catholic, the most important lesson taught to me and my siblings was the importance of helping people, of doing unto others as you would have them do unto you” , said Representative Kennedy. “Our work is to help those in need, to defend those forgotten by society, and to build a better world based on love and understanding. This can be summed up by Mark 12:31: You must love your neighbor as yourself I hope that the diocese will also adopt this point of view and reconsider this decision.