Our members are as diverse as the San Francisco Bay Area. Read their stories below and learn why they’ve chosen to be part of this historic musical organization.
Adam Sharma
The band has been accommodating to me, even as I learn a new instrument. This band is truly accessible for all music abilities. Read more →
Andrea Nguyen
I joined the Board because I strongly support the Band's mission to nurture the joy of music in the San Francisco-Bay Area community and to be an utterly inclusive forum. Read more →
Bradley Connlain
I love...sharing the bands' and our communities' past, but more importantly, being a part of what is yet to come. Read more →
Brandon Moss
I love being able to perform in new places to make an impact on people who may never have experienced LGBTQ+ musicians! Read more →
Brian Trimboli
I love that being in the band makes me feel like a part of San Francisco’s continuing LGBT history. Read more →
Chris Hewes
When you join, you become part of a band family spanning decades and with members from all walks of life. Read more →
Chris Ochoa
I am so proud to be a part of an organization that is actively involved in promoting visibility and changing hearts and minds through musical performance. Read more →
Corbin Skerrit
I love taking a moment throughout my week to escape into music and it's even better given the values, contribution to community and acceptance the band represents. Read more →
David Malespin
My current favorite experiences with the band are the community concerts where we showcase our fine musicianship Read more →
Dee Spencer
I finally got the courage to attend a rehearsal...and enjoyed every minute (except when my clarinet squeaked). Read more →
Doug Litwin
A group like the SFLGFB breaks down barriers between LGBT and non-LGBT communities through music and performance. Read more →
Gary Cozzi
I told myself, 'If I ever live in the city, I’m going to try and join!' I eventually moved to San Francisco and after a few years, joined the SFLGFB! Read more →
Ginnie Padgett
I am thrilled to once again have the joy of making music with like-minded musicians and spread the Band's mission throughout the Bay Area. Read more →
Guy Danus
This group is amazing and I've made many great friends and played lots of fun and interesting music. Read more →
Jane Magid
I love the band’s joyful inclusiveness and believe its mission in the community is more important now than ever. Read more →
Jared Foelsch
I love being part of all of SFLGFB's performing ensembles and have made many lasting friendships. Read more →
Joel Shapiro
The Band caught my eye when I was first transferred to San Francisco in the early 1990s and I enjoyed following it during those years. Read more →
Jonathan Young
Being a member of the band has been a great way to find a community and make friends. Read more →
Julie Williamson
My journey with the Band has been, quite literally, life changing. I have met so many wonderful people that I now consider family. My skills as a player continue to grow, and I love traveling with the band to play in new venues and new cities. Read more →
Kathy Hennig
I began my relationship with the gay band movement serving as a Board Member during the early days of LGBA starting back in 1982. Read more →
Keith Sklower
I see the Band as my way to make a political statement through music. Read more →
Kirk Read
This band connects me to a lineage of people using the arts to weave communities together. Read more →
Larry Hetrick
The band has brought more meaning to my life and more loving relationships. The SFLGFB has become a big extended family for me. Read more →
Linda Werner
I joined the Band in 1979 and my first gig was a 6 a.m. Easter Service at Glide Memorial Church (what an intro)! Read more →
Meredith Gadoury
Being part of SFLGFB is meaningful to me because it is a great way to connect with people from different backgrounds. Read more →
Mike Mehr
I have had so many opportunities with the Band that I would never have had otherwise. Read more →
Moira Wilmes
I joined the band as soon as I could after moving to San Francisco so I could march and also meet like-minded people. Read more →
Patti Upsavs
What I ended up finding was not only a band; I found a band with a mission. Read more →
Pedro Acevedo
I joined the band because I wanted to keep music performance part of my adult life, but more importantly, I joined this organization because of its core mission of bridging divides and promoting understanding through music. Read more →
Ruth Keys
How amazing to be able to share my passion for music while Playing with Pride for community and social justice! Read more →
Sally Canjura-Clayton
I was accepted into a family that helped me grow as a musician and as a person. Read more →
Shawn Case
Making music is one of the earliest, most enduring and most rewarding form of "social media" out there today. Read more →
Steve StJohn
I joined the band for many reasons: I wanted to perform, to make new friends, to have a healthy hobby, to socialize, to be part of something larger than myself, but primarily I needed to do something joyful just for me. Read more →
Sue Leonardi
When I attended my first rehearsal I felt so accepted and supported as a person and musician - instant family! Read more →
Taka Aoki
I like how I can feel the impact of the music on other people and make connections between the crowd and band members. Read more →
Terri Gaydon
I was so incredibly full of joy for performing in a group again, that I pretty much cried the whole way through the concert. Read more →
Todd Pope
As a former high school band geek, I was thrilled to join a few years later and fill the band-shaped hole in my heart. Read more →
Vi Le
Life pulled me away from playing music for a few years. I don't think I truly realized how big a loss that was until I found the Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band. Read more →
Wes Kashiwagi
One reason I play with the Band is to promote gay Asian visibility. It’s important to me that gay Asians see someone that looks like them, and part of that is marching in globally-televised events like the Chinese New Year Parade. Read more →