The Oakland Gay Men's Chorus

The Oakland Gay Men’s Chorus began with a single table at East Bay Pride (Oakland) in September 1999.

There, founder Dick Kramer stood behind a small booth with a simple but bold idea: to build a gay men’s chorus that truly belonged to the East Bay. By the end of the day, enough singers had signed up to bring that vision to life.

Just a few months later, in December, the newly formed chorus made its first public appearance, sharing music, community, and joy with The Lavender Seniors in San Leandro. It was a humble beginning, but one filled with heart.

In its early years, the chorus found support and structure under the Pacific Center for Human Growth, establishing a three-concert season that became its rhythm: Spring, East Bay Pride, and Holiday.

In February 2002, Oakland Gay Men’s Chorus stepped into its next chapter, becoming an independent nonprofit and securing its own 501(c)(3) status.

This milestone marked not just organizational growth, but the beginning of the chorus as we know it: rooted in community, creativity, and the belief that every voice matters.