SFGMC, I AM HARVEY MILK Creative Team Respond to Supreme Court's Ruling on DOMA & Prop 8

The San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus (SFGMC) responded to this morning's historic U.S. Supreme Court rulings on same-sex marriage finding DOMA to be unconstitutional and that the district court decision is final and Prop 8 is unconstitutional.

SFGMC Artistic Director and Conductor, Dr. Tim Seelig says, "I can't find the words to describe how I feel today. Tonight, 300 chorus members will raise their voices in song, just as San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus did 35 years ago, when they performed for the first time at the candle light vigil for Harvey Milk. No matter what, we will always keep singing."

For the first time tonight, SFGMC will present Harvey Milk 2013, their 35th anniversary concert that celebrates the life and legacy of Harvey Milk. Harvey Milk 2013features the world premiere of I Am Harvey Milk, a new choral work with music and words by Tony and Grammy Award nominee Andrew Lippa.

In response to today's decision, Andrew Lippa, Composer, Lyricist and Star of "I Am Harvey Milk" says, "The Supreme Court, like the nation itself, recognizes the value of living the ideal of our Framers: Equal rights under the law. It's a simple idea that has taken many years to perfect. And, while we're not fully there in every corner of this nation, today's ruling states it clearly: Hey hey, ho ho, homophobia's got to go."

Bruce Cohen, "I Am Harvey Milk" Producer, and American Foundation for Equal Rights President, adds, "This is a historic victory for California, for equality, and, most of all, for loving gay and lesbian couples and their families. Clearly, Harvey's work continues and he would be extraordinarily proud today."

Harvey Milk 2013 begins performances tonight (Wednesday, June 26) and continues Thursday, June 27 and Friday, June 28 at 8 p.m. at The Nourse Theatre (201-299 Hayes Street, San Francisco). A limited number of tickets are available online at SFGMC.org or through City Box Office at (415) 392-4400. Tickets range in price from $25 - $60.

Harvey Milk 2013 will also feature the debut of I am the Legacy, featuring a variety of performance pieces celebrating the legacy of Harvey Milk submitted by artists from around the San Francisco Bay Area.

Starring Mr. Lippa as Harvey Milk and Tony Award-winner Laura Benanti (Gypsy, NBC's "Go On") as the Soprano soloist and Noah Marlowe (Mary Poppins, Fun Home) as young Harvey, I Am Harvey Milk is directed by Noah Himmelstein, conducted by Dr. Timothy Seelig, orchestrated by August Eriksmoen, video and projection design by Andrew Lazarow and will feature the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus accompanied by the Bay Area Rainbow Symphony. I Am Harvey Milkis produced by Bruce Cohen, in association with Robb Nanus and Jessica Leventhal. Introducing the performance is Cleve Jones, close friend of Harvey Milk, founder of the NAMES project AIDS Memorial Quilt and American Foundation for Equal Rights advisory board member.

I Am Harvey Milk weaves the story of Harvey Milk's life - from boyhood to his rise as the first openly gay man to hold public office in California to his assassination. Part choral work, part theater piece, I Am Harvey Milk is an emotional celebration of an American icon.

I Am Harvey Milk was commissioned by the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus, along with Atlanta Gay Men's Chorus, Dayton Gay Men's Chorus, Denver Gay Men's Chorus, Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles, Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus, and Heartland Men's Chorus. Following this World Premiere Event, the piece will be made available for choruses to perform from coast to coast.

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