This National Gay Men’s HIV & AIDS Awareness Day, we would like to spotlight one of our amazing community partners, the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus (PGMC). While HIV affects people of all sexual orientations, GMHAAD provides an opportunity to recognize the disproportionate impact of HIV among gay men, bisexual men, and other men who have sex with men (MSM), and to raise awareness about the importance of expanding access to HIV testing, prevention, screening, and care services. That’s why we’re so grateful to community partners like PGMC, whose support allows us to continue to serve our community, and whose work creates spaces for connection, creativity and self expression.

The PGMC has partnered, collaborated with, and supported CAP’s mission of HIV and AIDS education and services for all 40 years of our work! They have held multiple concerts over PGMC’s 44 year history benefitting CAP, including being the first organization to contribute to the founding of Community Health & Essential Support Services (CHESS) which later merged with CAP. PGMC chorus members made up over half of the original CHESS Board, and PGMC cofounder Steve Fulmer served as the CHESS Founding Chair and the first acting executive director. PGMC performed at the MCC Music for Life concert, NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt events, years of AIDS candlelight vigils, masses & memorials, and numerous state-wide tours with all profits going to local AIDS service organizations, including CAP. PGMC and CAP partnered together with the Oregon Health Division to create their first CD, titled “Breaking the Silence with Song,” featuring music, words and messages that offered hope of living to patients recently diagnosed with HIV throughout the state.

Earlier this year, the Cascade Ensemble of the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus performed at the annual CAP Art Auction. The theme of the evening was “Art as Activism,” celebrating 40 years of Cascade AIDS Project. When the group performed their moving rendition of “Seasons of Love” from RENT there was not a dry eye left in the audience.

Want to learn more about PGMC, CAP, or how to get more involved in your community? We’d love to see you at AIDS Walk Northwest, where PGMC will be participating as a community partner. AIDS Walk Northwest will be happening at Tom McCall Waterfront Park on September 28, 2024. See you there!