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REGISTER HERE NOW Brussels 2024 Leadership College and Various Voices Rendezvous ​ ​ Your Timetable ​ Thursday 13 June 2024 ​ Afternoon Arrive in Brussels Evening College Registration /Food & Social tbc 19:00 - 22:30 Rainbow House, Rue du Marché au Charbon, 42 1000 Friday 14 June 2024 ​ Day Meet & Greet, College sessions, Mix n share 09:00 - 17:15 Grands Carmes Street 20 - 22, 1000 Brussels ​ Evening Rendezvous Registration, Food & Socialise 18:30 - 22:30 Rainbow House, Rue du Marché au Charbon, 42 1000 ​ ​ Saturday 15 June 2024 ​ Day Venue Visits 10:00 - 12:30 Lunch - Various Voices Brussels 12:30 - 14:30 Rainbow House, Rue du Marché au Charbon, 42 1000 Queer Walking Tour with Marian in English 15:00 - 16:30 Evening Dinner at your leisure with friends Various Voices Rising - Three Choirs concert 20:00 - 22:00 Sing Out Brussels! (Brussels) DynamiQ Voices (Utrecht) Voces Gaudii (Warsaw) Centre culturel d’Uccle, Rue Rouge 47, 1180, Uccle BUY TICKETS : https://www.billetweb.fr/various-voices-rising ​ After-Concert Party! Sunday 16 June 2024 Day Possible extra Queer Walking Tour option with Marian Lens (English) 10:00 - 11:30 Brunch with open “question time” 12:00 - 14:30 Leadership College Graduate Awards Farewells 14:30 ​ Hotel Options ​ Visit Brussels has provided options at four hotels for you to consider at preferential rates including breakfast, cancellable, and secured with a credit card. You can add your arrival and departure dates and search. Choose your hotel, room type, number of occupants, and credit card to secure your room. The Alma Grand Place Hotel and sister hotel Aris Grand Place Hotel are closest to the Leadership College venue Grands Carmes and Rainbow House. ​ The Legato Team will be staying at the Alma Grand Place Hotel, where there is seating to meet and chat in the reception. ​ Pillows City Hotel Brussels and 9Hotel Central Brussels may be more convenient for Centre for Fine Arts "Bozar". Book Hotel here: https://secure.hotel.visitbrussels.be/event/various-voices/congress/search Plan your stay: https://various-voices.be/stay/ Queer Brussels: https://www.visit.brussels/en/visitors/what-to-do/lgbtqia ​ ​ ​ The Leadership College Sessions ​ The session leaders bring knowledge and experience to share with you and offer 3 educational strands. You can change strands in between sessions. Each session lasts two hours so you can choose three sessions during the day. It's all about the music - for musicians, music makers, choir music directors, and music committee people. Choral conducting for beginnersv How do our values affect our work as MDs? The intelligent choir Get Organised - for choir managers, directors, and management committee/team members of choirs to grow and expand knowledge Do you know who you are, what you want, and how you are going to get there - no really? Helping your choir's audience and membership to thrive Finding the sweet spot between your choir and your community Let’s Talk Choirs - will be an interactive session with an open agenda. This may suit younger choirs or choirs facing growth, to talk about obstacles to change and how to find strategies for problem-solving organisations and people challenges. Health checkup for choirs Singing the rainbow: equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging in choirs Make a dream come true We will meet up on Thursday evening to say hello and eat . During the breaks and at the final session we will share about our learning, the effectiveness of the sessions, and how LEGATO can better serve our community and help to shape the scope of future leadership colleges. ​ LEGATO is committed to its Singing for Equality vision and this first leadership college is a step towards achieving our goal. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Leadership College registration is for a minimum donation of €50 per person* Rendezvous Brussels is free for all registered LEGATO Members. ​ *Includes : 3 facilitated focused 2-hour sessions plus 1-day refreshments and the opportunities to learn, meet, and share with choir leaders from across Europe ​ Does not include : Travel, Accommodation, Food, Concert, or Tour. ​ Bursaries : apply during registration. ​ Help is available in line with the LEGATO policy on support for member choirs and will depend on where your choir is located. A bursary is restricted to two registrations per choir, to be one Music Director and one President/Chair or equivalent for each choir. ​ The closing date for bursary applications is 1st May 2024. Applications will be dealt with on a first-come, first served basis, and you will be notified quickly of the outcome and if your plans change please let us know before the 1st of June 2024 as non-attending bursary recipients may be invoiced for the bursary costs. Group 3 Qualifying Countries (Turkey, Montenegro, Russia, Romania, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Georgia, Serbia, Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ukraine, North Macedonia, Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan) Group 3 Bursary will cover : Leadership College registration at €50 One night sharing a hotel room with breakfast €150 ​ Group 2 Qualifying Countries (Estonia, Czech Republic, Greece, Poland, Lithuania, Portugal, Latvia, Andorra, Croatia, San Marino, Slovakia, Hungary) Group 2 Bursary will cover : Leadership College registration at €50 ​ Plan your stay: https://various-voices.be/stay/ ​ Queer Brussels: https://www.visit.brussels/en/visitors/what-to-do/lgbtqia ​ Your Leadership College Prospectus Session Leaders José Mena Polo Master in Music with a specialization in Orchestral Conducting, graduated from Simón Bolívar University in Caracas, Venezuela with a Bachelor’s degree in music with a focus on Choral Conducting, Composition, and Singing. He has completed specialization courses in Choral Conducting, as well as workshops on Gregorian Chant, Contemporary Choral Composition, Popular Orchestration, 20th-century Music, and the Interpretation of German Romantic, Renaissance Music, and Slovak Music. ​ José has delivered workshops on composition, arrangement, conducting, and interpretation at various festivals and gatherings. He serves as the Musical Director of ConSonante Choir, Donne en Música, Choir of the Sociedad Coral de Madrid, and CHOIR+ Madrid, as well as the Chamber Female Choir “Noialtre”. He is the Principal of the Madrid Choral School. ​ Misza Czerniak Is a human rights advocate, translator, and musician born in Moscow, Russia, and living in Warsaw, Poland, since 2011. He holds MSc and MA, being professionally trained in linguistics, IT and choral conducting. His thesis at the Poznan Academy of Music was focused on the experience of singers transgressing traditional gender boundaries in choral settings. Misza has been involved in various levels of project management and international cooperation facilitation, particularly in the area of human rights. In 2014, he founded Voces Gaudii, the first LGBT+friends choir in Poland. Misza is a former LEGATO Board member. ​ Helga Margrét Marzellíusardóttir (she/her) Helga Margrét Marzellíusardóttir is the musical director of Hinsegin kórinn in Reykjavík, Iceland. She has a dual bachelor's degree in singing and choir conducting from the Iceland University of the Arts and a master's degree in innovative rhythmical choir leading from the Royal Academy of Music in Denmark. Helga Margrét is a prolific composer and arranger for choirs and musicians across all skill levels and styles. She leads courses and workshops in, for example, methods and techniques behind vocal compositions and arrangements, choir conducting techniques, vocal painting and creative composition, and leading groups and conductors in music and lyric creation. She is frequently brought in as a guest conductor for choirs both in Iceland and abroad, on rhythm, groove, intonation, sound, interpretation, and stage presence. Recently, Helga Margrét received a grant from the Icelandic government to record her newly composed choral music. The release of this is due this coming fall. For more information, visit her website, www.helgamarz.com . ​ Dr. Hsien Chew MBE (he/they) Has been a member of the Pink Singers, London’s LGBT+ community choir, since 2002, founded and sings with the queer a capella group Barberfellas and is the founder and coordinator of Proud Voices LGBT choir networks, two regional queer choral networks based in the UK & Ireland and Asia. Born in Singapore, he came to the U.K. for tertiary studies and graduated from Oxford University with degrees in immunology and medicine. His true loves, however, are singing and traveling, and he is forever grateful for the realisation that putting together queer choral festivals in different parts of the globe scratches both itches. When he is not working on his “choir-self” you can often find him relaxing with his “wine-self”. Hsien is a Legato Board Member and, until this year, was the representative for the Asia region on the Global Alliance of Queer Choirs. ​ Simon White (he/they) Is a queer, proud singer who has over twenty years of experience managing and developing queer choirs and theatre groups across Europe. Most recently he co-chaired The Pink Singers. For more than thirty years he has campaigned and promoted queer rights, life and history, including co-founding the Queer Theory Forum at the University of Oxford. ​ Dan Jarvis (he/him) Has worked in marketing and audience roles for Arts & Culture organisations for 15 years (including theatres, museums, galleries, arts centres, and of course, choirs) and is currently North West Audiences & Engagement lead for Arts Council England (England's national arts funding body). A member of The Sunday Boys in Manchester, Dan is passionate about inclusivity and equity in the arts and its audiences. ​ Martin Brophy MBE (he/him) President of Legato, former Board member & President of Gala Choruses, Executive Chair of the London Gay Men’s Chorus and Fruitvox, as well founder of the European Queer Choir, founding partner in Integra Planner & Brophies, an events catering company. Martin has over 35 years of comprehensive experience in the international queer choral movement and is enthusiastic and knowledgeable about music festivals, big and small. He was a founding director of the Global Alliance of Queer Choirs and is a passionate advocate to help everyone across the globe to connect with their voice and enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of singing in a group or in the shower. ​ The Sessions ​ “It's all about the music” ​ Choral conducting for beginners How do our values affect our work as MDs? Conducting Toolbox ​ Choral conducting for beginners. José Mena Polo The seminar on choral conducting for beginners offers an intensive immersion into the basic principles of choral conducting. This seminar is designed to provide participants with a fundamental understanding of choral conducting and to develop practical skills for leading beginner-level choirs. ​ How do our values affect our work as MDs? Misza Czerniak We, the MDs of queer ensembles, operate at a particular intersection. We are in charge of music, but we also work for social change. Furthermore, we deal with a marginalised community coming together to express its hopes, dreams, and sometimes anger, to support each other and stand with each other in solidarity, but also to just have fun and make beautiful music. How does this background, and how do the values that bring us here, affect our work? Let’s explore together the connection between what we believe in and how we work as MDs. ​ The intelligent choir - innovative ways to conduct your choir. Helga Margrét Marzellíusardóttir Should Choirs be conducted? If yes, then why, when, and how? How can we train our choir to be an Intelligent choir, to develop their musical skills and ability to focus on the structure of the music; Rhythm, intonation, sound, expression, and performance? We take a look at the New Piece Methodology, Rotated Leadership, and Vocal Painting - different ways of combining conducting technique and effective ways of interacting with your choir members. ​ ​ “Get Organised” ​ Do you know who you are, what you want, and how you are going to get there - no really? “There’s a Place For Us”: Growing your choir’s audience and membership so you can thrive Finding the sweet spot between your choir and your community ​ Do you really know who you are? what you want and how you are going to get there - no really? Martin Brophy & Simon White ​ To get where you want to go you need a good roadmap to get there. Is your choir dysfunctional, not sure who they are, confused about what you do? The starting point is your Vision, Mission, and Values. Discuss and create your own 10-point plan to create and review your choir's road map to success. ​ “There’s a Place For Us”: Growing your choir’s audience and membership so you can thrive. Dan Jarvis In this session, LEGATO Trustee Dan Jarvis will talk through how to be strategic in developing a plan to develop and grow your choir's audiences and membership so it can thrive, whilst staying true to who you are. ​ The workshop will cover: Identifying who your target audiences are (and who do you want them to be) Understanding your mission, vision & values to inform your key messages How your programme and audience plan can (and should) work together How to tell the story of your choir Attracting and retaining new members Practical tips and ways to plan a marketing campaign ​ The session is aimed at intermediate and advanced choirs. Finding the sweet spot between your choir and community. Simon White Queer choirs around the world provide an amazing, nourishing, and safe space for all to thrive and grow, as singers, as individuals, and as a chosen family. At the same time, they can have an important and valuable impact on the wider community. This session explores: (i) the role and impact a choir can have on both its members and the community around it; (ii) real life examples of how different queer choirs around the world think and work with these two communities; and (iii) how to promote debate and resolve conflict within your choir as to how your group wants to find the sweet-spot between choir and community. ​ ​ “Let’s Talk Choirs” ​ Health checkup for choirs Singing the rainbow: equity, diversity inclusion and belonging in choirs Make a dream come true Health Check for Choirs - Creating and sharing choir strategies. ​ Singing the Rainbow: equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging in choirs. Hsien Chew In our increasingly polarised world, there is an urgent need for LGBTQ choirs to discuss diversity. We have a long tradition of counteracting division by building communities, questioning barriers, and celebrating difference through song, but having our choirs reflect the makeup of society remains a challenge for all of us. Drawing on their own experience of migration and queerness, Hsien will take you on a journey of empathy to understand why embedding diversity in our choirs is vital for all of us, look at why we sometimes struggle to achieve this and examine various strategies some choirs have taken to be the change. Make your dreams come true. Martin Brophy How to get a choir started; make a festival; Singing for equality or Connecting with choirs around the globe. "If you build it, they will come." "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." “The two quotes that have inspired me the most, come and share what inspires you”. Let's talk about what inspires you and begin that journey together, to surprise yourself, to inspire others and make your dreams come true - and that begins with a strong vision. ​ ​ Hotel : We are working with Visit Brussels to recommend a Queer friendly hotel with a special price, a central convenient location, we will announce this soon, and we hope that you will all join us, so we can all be together to have fun and share a bit of ourselves. Detail/pricing TBC REGISTER HERE NOW REGISTER HERE NOW

The European Association of LGBTQ+ Choirs. We currently have 140 regular and supporting members from 21 countries with 142 choirs and sub ensembles, 3 music ensembles (2 orchestras, 1 big band), 1 regional choir association. 5,500 singers and musicians are represented in our choirs and ensembles. 49 are tenor/bass ensembles, 22 are soprano/alto and 71 soprano/alto/ tenor/bass, look to us for support and leadership. ​ We promote art, culture, and understanding between nations, staging choral singing events with participants from many European nations. ​ We maintain an up-to-date list of LGBTQ+ Choirs in Europe and publish events being run by these Choirs locally, and encourage people to go and support the events. ​ We connect new LGBTQ+ Choirs with more experienced ones so that they can avoid some of the pitfalls of starting a new Choir. ​ We are actively supporting the development of LGBTQ+ Choirs in Eastern Europe, where in many countries to be LGBTQ+ is considered a crime, and people are persecuted. ​ We work for the emancipation of LGBTQ+ individuals in Europe and combat discrimination against these groups. Donate for LGBTIQ* in Ukraine Munich Kiev Queer ​ LEGATO supports the two fundraising campaigns set up by Munich Kiev Queer. ​ 1) From the alliance Queere Nothilfe Ukraine, in which many LGBTIQ* Human Rights organisations in Germany are involved, such as the LSVD, Quarteera, WostoQ-Regenbogen, Queer Amnesty, Deutsche Aids-Hilfe, Trans*Recht, Aktionsbündnis gegen Homophobie, Schwulenberatung Berlin, AllOut and Munich Kyiv Queer itself. DONATE WHAT WE OFFER We want to strengthen communication and cooperation between the LGBTQ+ choirs in Europe. ​ To assist and support these choirs. ​ We are registered as a Charitable Association under German law. Registration Court: Mannheim Association Number: VR 102885. GET IN TOUCH CONCRETE GOALS OF LEGATO Register of Addresses of LGTBQ+ choirs throughout Europe (will be sent by mail on request). ​ Calendar with dates of all performances of the choirs. ​ Publication of the member's newsletter, LEGATO News . ​ Contact with partner organizations like GALA (The Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses ) . ​ Organization of regular delegates meetings . LEGATO funds itself through the membership fee of the member choirs. This fee is thirty euros (€ 30,00) per choir and year. Bank account: LEGATO E. V. Bank name: VR Bank Main-Kinzig-Buedingen eG IBAN: DE83 5066 1639 0002 2572 20 BIC: GENODEF1LSR We are more than 143 LGTBQ+ Choirs Be part of LEGATO! MEMBERSHIP CONTACT Get in touch with LEGATO - European Association of LGBTQ+ Choirs to learn more about our work and how you can get involved. SUBMIT

SCHWUBS - SCHWULE BERNER SÄNGER BERN SWITZERLAND Type: SATB Founded: 2018 # Wonderful Supporting members 0 # Wonderful members 24 ABOUT 1992 werden die "Schwulen Berner Sänger - Schwubs" gegründet. Seit 1993 sind wir als Verein organisiert. Der Chor wächst bald zu einer Grösse von 43 Sängern an und schrumpft auf aktuell 21 Sänger zusammen. (An der Vermehrung arbeiten wir....!) ​ Unzählige Konzerte haben wir bestritten und grosse und kleine Akzente gesetzt: In Bern, Zürich, Groningen, München, Stuttgart, Frankfurt am Main, Köln, Nürnberg, Berlin, Hamburg, Saarbrücken, Paris und Dublin. ​ ​In 1992 a few enthusiasts started the "Schwulen Berner Sänger" (gay Bern singers) or SCHWUBS. In the following years, SCHWUBS grew to the handsome size of 45 members, but then shrank back to the current 16 singers. Under the direction of our pianist Werner Bucher, SCHWUBS is always lively, (self) ironic, (self) critical, willingly looks in the mirror and also holds it up to others. Or, in other words, we sing not just to entertain, but also to bring our audience closer to our gay world. equally mixed classic/rock/pop/musicals WEBSITE INSTAGRAM TWITTER FACEBOOK 2018 Manage your Choir information ​ Now you can change, add or remove the information about your choir Want to change your profile picture? ​Change the description of your choir? Your contact information? A new link to a Facebook page, Twitter or Instagram account? ​ Click here to submit your changes SUBMIT CHANGES

CHORAL CON FUSION - LGBTS INCLUSIVE CHOIR CORK IRELAND Type: SATB Founded: 2010 # Wonderful Supporting members 0 # Wonderful members 65 ABOUT Choral Con Fusion is Cork’s inclusive choral group with a message of welcome to one and all. ​ The group was formed in 2010. What began as a small number of 8 singers has now grown to a choir of over 60. Choral Con Fusion has performed all over the country including at The National Concert Hall, Cork City Hall, The Triskel and St. Finbarre’s Cathedral to name but a few, and has a repertoire that is vast and varied from choral classics to modern music and ethnically tinged folk songs. ​ While music is the focus, it is always infused with fun. Choral Con Fusion is not just a choir. It is at its heart a social group and a way for people who hail from all backgrounds, all communities and all genders and ages to come together and sing and dance and be merry. ​ Choral ConFusion rehearses once a week on a Wednesday evening, 6.30 to 8.45, in the city centre. ​ Choral Con Fusion celebrates and embraces difference and different people, through the joy and fun of music and singing together. Openly identifying ourselves as L.G.B.T.S. Inclusive is a statement of where we come from and where we are going. equally mixed classic/rock/pop/musicals WEBSITE INSTAGRAM TWITTER FACEBOOK 2016 Manage your Choir information ​ Now you can change, add or remove the information about your choir Want to change your profile picture? ​Change the description of your choir? Your contact information? A new link to a Facebook page, Twitter or Instagram account? ​ Click here to submit your changes SUBMIT CHANGES

SWEET AND POWER BERN SWITZERLAND Type: SSAA Founded: 1996 # Wonderful Supporting members 0 # Wonderful members 20 ABOUT 1996 gründeten singfreudige Lesben und Schwule einen Chor. Schon kurze Zeit später war sweet and power ein Frauen*chor . Alle Frauen* sind als Sängerinnen herzlich willkommen. Vielfalt ist unsere Stärke. ​ sweet and power ist Mitglied von LEGATO – Verband der schwulen und lesbischen Chöre in Europa. Wir nehmen regelmässig an LGBTI-Chorfestivals teil. Seit Juni 2016 ist Isabelle Ritter unsere Chorleiterin. ​ Frauen*: Alle Personen, die sich als Frau verstehen LGBTI: Lesbisch – Gay (schwul) – Bisexuell – Trans – Intersexuell (die Aufzählung ist nicht abschliessend oder ausschliessend) ​ Gemeinsames Singen und gemeinsame Erlebnisse sind uns wichtig! Wir singen, was uns gefällt. Wir berücksichtigen Lieder aus unterschiedlichen Musikrichtungen und in verschiedenen Sprachen. ​ Founded in 1996, Sweet & Power is the only lesbian choir in Berne at present. The choir's repertoire ranges from folk to pop songs of different countries and languages. With few exceptions Sweet & Power sings A Capella songs for 3 or 4 voices. The 2009 Various Voices repertoire consists of different songs devoted to women - the styles as wide-ranging and queer as ever. The choir's highlights are participating in the Amsterdam Gay Games (1998), the Various Voices festivals in Berlin (2001), Paris (2005) and London (2009). only rock/pop/musicals WEBSITE INSTAGRAM TWITTER FACEBOOK 2001 Manage your Choir information ​ Now you can change, add or remove the information about your choir Want to change your profile picture? ​Change the description of your choir? Your contact information? A new link to a Facebook page, Twitter or Instagram account? ​ Click here to submit your changes SUBMIT CHANGES

CLASSICAL LESBIANS BERLIN GERMANY Type: SSAA Founded: 1996 # Wonderful Supporting members 3 # Wonderful members 20 ABOUT Wir singen klassische Chorliteratur. Und sind lesbisch. Damit sind wir weltweit einzigartig. Und unser Markenzeichen ist die Farbe Blau! ​ Die Classical Lesbians aus Berlin sind ein A-capella-Chor mit mehr als 25 Sänger*innen zwischen 25 und 65 Jahren. Die Liebe zur klassischen Chormusik und zu Frauen verbindet uns seit 1996! GO CLASSICAL, Lesbians! Jahr für Jahr präsentieren wir abwechslungsreiche Programme. Wir singen mittelalterliche, polyphone Sätze, romantische Lieder oder zeitgenössische experimentelle Stücke. Mal voller Power, mal sanft und gefühlvoll, mal leidenschaftlich, komisch oder dramatisch interpretiert. Einige Partituren wurden eigens für uns geschrieben, so von der Komponistin Mayako Kubo. Für uns ist es eine politische Sache, dass wir als lesbischer Chor auftreten und sichtbar sind. Aus der Berliner queeren Kulturszene sind wir nicht mehr wegzudenken. Gemeinsam mit anderen queeren Chören und Ensembles beteiligen wir uns an Queer Music. Aber auch außerhalb Berlins sind wir zu hören, so auf dem bundesweiten FrauenLesbenChöreTreffen und dem internationalen queeren Chorfestival Various Voices. Mit vielen lesbisch-schwulen Chören u.a. aus Hamburg, München, Amsterdam, London und Stockholm verbinden uns wunderschöne gemeinsame Konzerte. Eine Herzensangelegenheit ist uns die Unterstützung sozialer Projekte mit Benefizkonzerten für Berliner FrauenLesbenProjekte. Alle Jahre wieder singen wir bei der Schönen Bescherung, dem traditionellen Adventssingen queerer Chöre. Mehr dazu unter Konzerte. ​ Wir lieben Socializing. Wir genießen unsere Auftritte und die ausgelassene Stimmung danach. Jeden Freitag nach der "strapaziösen" Chorprobe stärken wir uns in unserer urigen Stammkneipe mit Bier und Bratkartoffeln. Und: gemeinsamer Chorgesang bringt uns Spaß und gute Laune. Außerdem machen wir einmal im Jahr eine Landpartie und fahren zum Chorwochenende. Zwischen Wäldern und Seen proben wir intensiv, schlemmen und singen abends am Lagerfeuer einfach weiter. ​ We are 21 women. Which means 21 different ages and backgrounds. And 21 opinions on our dress code. Not to speak of any choreography! BUT we are united in our love of women and classical music! ​ Since 1996, we meet once a week and with lots of fun and enthusiasm, we rehearse A Capella songs from Early Music to modern pieces. We relish the sound of our voices coming together and of experimenting with unusual harmonies. With unbending enthusiasm, patience and repetition of the ‘Legato-Mantra’ our new choir leader the professional singer Sibylle Fischer get us to sing ever higher and brighter notes. only classical WEBSITE INSTAGRAM TWITTER FACEBOOK 1999 Manage your Choir information ​ Now you can change, add or remove the information about your choir Want to change your profile picture? ​Change the description of your choir? Your contact information? A new link to a Facebook page, Twitter or Instagram account? ​ Click here to submit your changes SUBMIT CHANGES

Gender-neutral Language Statement The purpose of gender-neutral language is to avoid word choices which may be interpreted as biased, discriminatory or demeaning by implying that one sex or social gender is the norm. VIEW MORE Gender Identity There is a generational divide in how we think about gender. In order to bridge this gap, those of us who were raised with a more limited view of gender can take this as an opportunity to explore gender with new eyes, to read and ask questions to better understand gender’s complexity. VIEW MORE Understanding Gender For many people, the terms “gender” and “sex” are interchangeable. This idea has become so common, particularly in western societies, that it is rarely questioned. We are born, assigned a gender, and sent out into the world. For many people, this fact is cause for little, if any dissonance. Yet biological sex and gender are different; gender is not inherently nor solely connected to one’s physical anatomy. VIEW MORE The Language of Gender The power of language to shape our perceptions of other people is immense. Precise use of terms in regards to gender can have a significant impact on demystifying many of the misperceptions associated with gender. VIEW MORE How to Attract More Instagram Followers Instagram is one of the most popular social photo sharing platforms on the web. You can connect with existing friends who are on Instagram when you first sign up, but if you're somebody who's trying to build a serious brand or business page, then you're going to want to know all the tips and tricks there are to get more Instagram followers. VIEW MORE How to Hashtag on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter Hashtagging has become the most popular way to categorize information we post on social media. Attaching the number sign (#) to any word or phrase without any spaces is all it takes to turn it into a clickable hashtag. VIEW MORE Popular Tags for Instagram If you’re looking for more followers, likes, comments, and overall more interaction on Instagram, tagging your photos with relevant hashtags is a good way to get users to notice your photos. Lots of users browse keywords using Instagram’s search function, so if you tag your photos with descriptive keywords, they’re more likely to be discovered by other people. VIEW MORE How to Use Instagram Even if you don’t use Instagram yet, you’ve likely heard about how popular the photo-sharing app is and how much people enjoy sharing their photos and videos, connecting with others in their neighborhood or around the world, and following what their friends are doing (and posting) on a day-to-day basis. VIEW MORE YouTube Sign-Up: How to Make an Account The YouTube account sign-up process is fairly simple, although it's complicated by the fact that Google owns YouTube and has linked the two for registration purposes. For that reason, to sign up for a YouTube account, you must have a Google ID or sign up for a new Google account. VIEW MORE Signing up with Twitter: How to Make an Account How to create a Twitter account on the web. VIEW MORE Instagram Sign-Up: How to Make an Account How do I create an Instagram account? VIEW MORE Facebook - Create a free choir Page in minutes Here's what you'll need to set up your Facebook Page. VIEW MORE What S4S Means on Instagram The S4S acronym stands for "shoutout for shoutout." Some users will tell you it can also stand for "share for share" or "support for support." Regardless of its exact wording, the meaning behind it is all the same. VIEW MORE 5 Tips to Get a Shoutout on Instagram Want to know how top Instagram users are attracting thousands of followers? Then you'll want to know all about how Instagram shoutouts work. ​ If you're willing to learn how to master this insane follower-building trend, you could have a very popular account as little as a few weeks or months. VIEW MORE

GALAKOOR AMSTERDAM AMSTERDAM THE NETHERLANDS Type: SATB Founded: 2013 # Wonderful Supporting members 0 # Wonderful members 35 ABOUT Galakoor is opgericht in september 2013 als een klassiek koor voor zangers die met elkaar verbonden zijn door hun LHBT-identiteit. Koorleden delen hun passie voor muziek en hun wens om met gelijkgestemden te zingen. ​ Het repertoire is klassiek en eigentijds, we zingen zowel grote als middelgrote werken. Oratorium-muziek vormt tot dusver de hoofdmoot van het repertoire. Daarbij wordt ook aandacht aan homoseksuele componisten besteed. Ook wil het koor nieuwe gevoelswaarden binnen tekst en muziek verkennen die ontstaan wanneer homoseksuele mannen en vrouwen deze uitvoeren. ​ Oprichter Yt Nicolai heeft inmiddels het dirigentenstokje overgedragen aan Joke Geraets. only classical WEBSITE INSTAGRAM TWITTER FACEBOOK 2018 Manage your Choir information ​ Now you can change, add or remove the information about your choir Want to change your profile picture? ​Change the description of your choir? Your contact information? A new link to a Facebook page, Twitter or Instagram account? ​ Click here to submit your changes SUBMIT CHANGES

SONGBIRDS CARDIFF UNITED KINGDOM Type: SSAA Members: 35 Founded: 2012 ABOUT We are Songbirds, a community choir for LGBT+ women and non-binary people based in Cardiff. We were set up in 2012 and currently have around 35 members, but we always welcome new members! We rehearse every Monday from 7:30pm at City United Reformed Church. We pride ourselves on our inclusivity and we aim to be a supportive and friendly group where members can have fun and make a beautiful sound. We rehearse once a week in Cardiff and perform all over the local area when we can, often for local charities, representing the LGBT+ community and, importantly, enjoying ourselves in the process. The ethos of the choir is acceptance and fun; we are a community and a family, and we place more importance on inclusivity than being note-perfect (although, thanks to our Musical Director Rosie, we do make a beautiful sound)! If you want to know exactly what to expect if you decide to join, visit our New Members page. We put on our own concerts once or twice a year, usually in the summer and at Christmas, and often perform at Pride Cymru and the Big Queer Picnic. We’ve sung at events held by Stonewall, Cardiff University and Ty Hafan, as well as weddings, carol services and joint events with our friends South Wales Gay Men’s Chorus and Cardiff Trans Singers. The three groups are hosting the Hand in Hand Festival in Cardiff in August 2019. We are always delighted to welcome new members to our choir. WEBSITE INSTAGRAM TWITTER FACEBOOK EMAIL If for any reason you don't want to be on our website, give us the name of your choir and your email and click SUBMIT . SUBMIT your choir will be removed shortly, thanks

TAKTLOS OSNABRÜCK GERMANY Type: SSAA Members: 16 Founded: 2000 ABOUT !...FrauenLesbenChor.............................! !.......................Gemischter Frauenchor...! ​ Was denn nun? Taktlos ist ein FrauenLesbenChor, weil hier Lesben gemeinsam singen und uns das gemeinsame lesbische Leben wichtig ist. Taktlos ist ein gemischter Frauenchor, weil hier nicht nur Lesben sondern auch andere Frauen singen und uns das gemeinsame Frauenleben wichtig ist. Beides stimmt also und so taktlos wie wir sind, passen wir in mehrere Schubladen - oder in keine... Der Chor wurde im Jahre 2000 am internationalen Frauentag gegründet. Aktuell sind wir 15 Frauen im Alter zwischen 35 und 60 Jahren. Unser Repertoire reicht von A bis U - von den Ärzten über Eigenkreationen, Trude Herr bis zu U2. WEBSITE INSTAGRAM TWITTER FACEBOOK EMAIL If for any reason you don't want to be on our website, give us the name of your choir and your email and click SUBMIT . SUBMIT your choir will be removed shortly, thanks

STEEL CITY MEN'S CHORUS BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA UNITED STATES Type: TTBB Founded: 2013 # Wonderful Supporting members 20 # Wonderful members 30 ABOUT Our story. We love to sing! During the summer of 2013, a group of men gathered around the idea of creating a new all male choral ensemble dedicated to providing quality musical entertainment while educating its singers and furthering a positive image and appreciation of the LGBTQ community. Steel City Men’s Chorus’ mission is to create community, educate, and give voice to LGBTQ issues through music and service. In addition to our performances, we participate in a number of local community outreach programs, supporting AIDS Alabama and Community Kitchens of Birmingham during our inaugural year. During the summer of 2013, a group of men gathered around the idea of creating a new all male choral ensemble. From meetings around dining room tables, Steel City Men’s Chorus was born. From our first rehearsal in August, 2013, until our first performance on December 6, 2013, some 35 men and their supporters worked in a whirlwind to create and incorporate a new non-profit and produce a show. Our sold out holiday show, Our First Noel , told us that we were on the right track. Steel City Men’s Chorus is a proud member of Chorus America and the Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses (GALA). In October, 2013, a group of SCMC leaders attended the GALA Leadership Symposium in Atlanta, coming away with some wonderful ideas to enhance our organization as well as feedback affirming the solid foundation we have built. Membership in Steel City Men’s Chorus is open to anyone, 18 and older. Singing members must be male or identify as male and be able to sing a male vocal part (TTBB). Non-singing membership is open to both men and women who do not wish to sing but desire to support SCMC through active voting membership. All members must pay dues as required by the Board of Directors to remain in good standing. If you are interested in joining Steel City Men’s Chorus, please contact the Chorus Manager at chorus-manager@steelcitymenschorus.org . equally mixed classic/rock/pop/musicals WEBSITE INSTAGRAM TWITTER FACEBOOK 2023 Manage your Choir information ​ Now you can change, add or remove the information about your choir Want to change your profile picture? ​Change the description of your choir? Your contact information? A new link to a Facebook page, Twitter or Instagram account? ​ Click here to submit your changes SUBMIT CHANGES

GALS - AUCKLAND'S RAINBOW CHOIR AUCKLAND