Choir sings on despite threats

The Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir this week revealed it had received a series of violent homophobic threats since the beginning of last year.

Choir president Andrew Morphett told Sydney Star Observer the ongoing threats began in January 2005 and related to violence against the choir.

He said the choir had contacted police who were investigating the threats.

We are taking appropriate measures as advised by authorities, Morphett said.

No violence had resulted from the threats so far. Morphett would not provide more details because of the continuing police investigation.

It is unclear whether the threats came from one person or a group of people.

The revelation came a week after New Mardi Gras received threats of a blockade of next year’s parade.

These incidents show that we still have a real need for community support and that our battle for equality and safety is not yet over, Morphett said.

The 125-member choir, which has won national singing competitions and toured extensively in Australia and overseas, has promised to press on despite the recent threats.

The choir regularly appears at gay and lesbian events, including the Mardi Gras festival, and has performed with k.d. lang and Jimmy Somerville.

Its next event is a Barbra Streisand tribute concert in Sydney later this month.

The group will join The Emanuel Choir and cabaret artist Avigail Herman for A Sunday With Streisand at the Temple Emanuel in Woollahra on 26 November.

With the backing of the combined choirs, Herman will perform a selection of Streisand’s hits.

The progressive synagogue is a regular co-host of gay and lesbian events.

Given that we represent two of Streisand’s major fan bases, it’s highly appropriate that we’re presenting this concert with Emanuel, SGLC musical director Sarah Penicka said.