‘We want to combat this hate with message of love’
Choir release charity single after going viral with Orlando tribute
A gay choir is today (Friday) releasing a single to raise money for victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting.
Last week thousands lined the streets of Soho for a vigil where The London Gay Men’s Chorus (LGMC) – which includes two members from Maidstone – sang a touching tribute to the 49 people who lost their lives in the tragedy on Saturday, June 12.
Since then, a video of their poignant performance of Simon & Garfunkel’s Bridge Over Troubled Water has been shared millions of time, and the group has now decided to release it as a charity single.
Among the choir’s members are Dan Clegg and former borough councillor Anthony Hull, both 34 and from Maidstone, and Chris Stamper, 34, from Cuxton.
Mr Clegg, who works in HR, said: “When we woke up on the Sunday morning and saw what had happened, we immediately just thought ‘what can we do to help?’
“We wanted to bring the community together and help the healing process and for us the way to do that is through song.
“We didn’t expect what happened next and the public response has been overwhelming and very humbling. We just want to do something positive out of this terrible thing and raise some money for the victims and their families.”
John Carrion, choir chairman, added: “The LGMC believes passionately that music has the power to heal and inspire, to lift souls and unite people in times of joy and sorrow. The Orlando attack was an act of hatred and we want to combat this hate with a message of love, hope and solidarity.”
Formed in 1991 by just nine men at Angel Tube Station, the chorus has grown to become Europe’s largest male voice choir with more than 200 members.
The single is available on iTunes, Amazon Music, Google Play, Spotify, Deezer and Tidal.
Proceeds will be split equally between the Orlando Victims’ Fund and Galop, a charity that works to reduce LGBT hate crime in the UK.