Chief Executive Officer, San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus

Organization

Golden Gate Performing Arts Inc., dba San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus (SFGMC), based in San Francisco, California, draws singers from across the greater Bay Area. Founded in 1978 by Jon Reed Sims, SFGMC was the world’s first openly gay men’s chorus. From its earliest days, the organization has stood at the intersection of music, community, and activism, using artistic excellence as a catalyst for social change.

SFGMC made its first public appearance on the steps of San Francisco City Hall shortly after the assassinations of Supervisor Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone. That powerful moment galvanized a movement and helped inspire the formation of LGBTQ+ choruses nationwide and around the world. Today, SFGMC’s mission is to lead by creating extraordinary music and experiences that build community, inspire activism, and foster compassion locally, nationally, and internationally.

Over the decades, SFGMC has grown significantly in size, visibility, and impact, establishing itself as both a cultural institution and a trusted voice within the LGBTQ+ community.

In 2019, SFGMC acquired a historic Art Deco building in San Francisco’s Mission District, originally constructed in 1931. Now known as the Pansy L. Chan and Terrence

D. Chan National Queer Arts Center (The Chan), the facility represents a defining moment in the organization’s evolution: a permanent home for artistic creation, community gathering, and national thought leadership. Renovations began in 2022 to transform the 23,270-square-foot building into a fully realized queer arts center. The Chan now houses a 350-seat Grand Hall, multiple rehearsal and performance spaces, conference and gallery areas, and SFGMC’s administrative offices.

It serves as both an artistic hub and a symbol of SFGMC’s legacy: positioning the organization to convene artists, audiences, and ideas at a national level. For larger-scale productions, SFGMC performs in major regional venues including Davies Symphony Hall, the Golden Gate Theatre, the Curran Theatre, the Orpheum Theatre, Cal Performances’ Zellerbach Theatre, Green Music Center’s Weill Hall, and the Castro Theatre.

SFGMC anchors each season with high-impact mainstage performances that celebrate queer artistry, expand representation, and foster collective joy and resilience. Annual programming typically includes a Holiday Spectacular, a spring concert at venues such as Davies Symphony Hall, a Pride concert, and a range of smaller ensemble and cabaret performances. The 2025–2026 season, titled SHINE, exemplifies this approach with a vibrant mix of events celebrating queer joy and resilience.

Highlights include a Totally ’80s tribute concert, DOLLY!, a Dolly Parton-inspired Pride celebration, a Queer Lunar New Year program, the 25th anniversary of Sing for the Cure, and the return of Tony-nominated composer Andrew Lippa & Friends. Expanded cabaret and community programming at The Chan will further animate the season.

Community outreach and education remain central to SFGMC’s mission. Through programs such as Reaching Youth Through Music (RHYTHM), touring performances, school visits, and partnerships, the chorus connects with underserved communities, particularly LGBTQ+ youth, using music as a powerful catalyst for healing, affirmation, and inclusion. SFGMC also regularly commissions and performs new works that center queer narratives and address issues including HIV/AIDS, equity, and social justice.

SFGMC is entering a pivotal period as it prepares for its historic 50th anniversary in 2028. The 2025–2028 Strategic Plan focuses on sustainability, clarity of mission, and intentional growth: centering the expanded use of The Chan while strengthening artistic programming, fundraising, marketing, thought leadership, and organizational capacity.

SFGMC has a 23-member board of directors led by Chair Tom Paulino, and Christopher Verdugo currently serves as Chief Executive Officer. Verdugo will step down from the position on June 30, 2026, after 10 years in the role. SFGMC employs eight full-time employees, including two direct reports for the CEO (Director of Operations and Production and Director of…