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➤ GAY MEN’S CHORUS, from p.4
tion for him to audition at a future
open call,” according to an email
obtained by Gay City News.
“Any future audition would be
contingent on his being able to
show, in a substantial way, his
clear understanding of how the
things we say can and do affect
others and the consequences they
may have,” leaders wrote in an
email at the time.
From January 2019 to May
2019, leadership also investigated
a couple of other members’ racist
social media posts, but the administration
asked that members
speak with the alleged perpetrators
privately.
“It is always our fi rst course of
action to recommend that Chorus
members discuss matters between
themselves before any further steps
are taken,” offi cials said, according
to an email obtained by Gay City
News. “First contact resolution between
those involved is usually the
swiftest and most effective course
of action. Should you wish to discuss
this further, we would be
happy to meet with you.”
The apparent pattern of racism
within the group, however, seems
to go back even further. When chorus
members suggested the choir
sing K-pop or Filipino choral music
for a 2016 concert, a member
allegedly said, “No, thanks, I had
enough Jai Ho,” referring to the
Indian pop song from Slum Dog
Millionaire. In another instance, a
choir member allegedly said, “Japanese
people can’t say ‘R.'” Members
have also argued whether
they should censor an anti-Asian
slur from a David Bowie song.
A white chorus member who
also spoke to Gay City News on the
condition of anonymity — named
Member Two in this story — was
at the rehearsal where choir members
allegedly debated using an anti
Asian slur. He said this showed
that members were content with
gaslighting members of color.
“The response from some of the
members in the chorus was to ask
the Asian members of the chorus
to justify it in front of 300 chorus
members,” said Member Two, who
has been on leave from the chorus
due to racism in the choir. “It
showed me that we were, as an
organization, comfortable with
people not believing, not respecting,
not acknowledging the pain,
discomfort… of members.”
BAPA’s Board of Directors declined
to respond to Gay City News’ requests
for comment about Gibbs’ situation
or about the other allegations.
“We are not in a position to comment
at this time,” the group said
in an email on July 14. The group
again declined comment when contacted
after Gibbs was reinstated.
Member One — who was not
satisfi ed with that response — believes
the chorus is only reinstating
Gibbs to avoid criticism amid a
history of racist allegations.
“If the board understood that
they made a mistake, then why
is he on probation?” Member One
asked. “They’re worried about all of
the fallout and obvious pushback
from so many members who are
claiming racism. They didn’t learn
anything from this.”
They added, “How do you make
a safe space for BIPOC in the organization
if you won’t actually take
measures against those who oppress
them?”
Prior to the investigation into
Gibbs, Member One said the chorus
asked leaders to create a restorative
justice committee within
30 days of their meeting on June
24, but that deadline came and
went. Member One said offi cials
eventually organized a last-minute
call to discuss the group, but it was
poorly attended. In the end, Member
One believes white members
are treated better because they
bring in more ticket sales.
“At the end of the day, BIPOC
within this organization want to
make it a safe and inclusive space
because we believe in the mission
of this organization,” they said,
noting the advocacy work of the
group during HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Gibbs, meanwhile, said he is
critical of the organization because
he believes they can improve on racial
justice — and that he should
not have to leave if he is not doing
anything wrong.
“The chorus represents my
queerness and my love for choral
music,” he said. “That should be a
space where I’m welcomed into and
allowed to thrive like everybody
else. It does not say that it is a racist
organization or upholds these
racist or institutionalized racists
practices. Those things should
not be allowed to stay. I should be
allowed to stay.”
GayCityNews.com | JULY 29 - AUGUST 11, 2021 5
/GayCityNews.com
