I was a band geek through high school and college and always loved it. After seeing the Band in the 1985 SF Pride Parade, I knew I had to join. As someone said back then, being in this Band is a great way to make a political statement in a non-political way. Since my very first rehearsal was also the first one for the initial Dance-Along Nutcracker, I have a special connection to that show. I have seen first-hand the pure joy on the faces of children and adults as they experience that unique audience-participation event. I play in the clarinet section and occasionally help out the percussion section during pep and marching events.
I have been honored to participate in so many major Band anniversaries, starting with the tenth in 1988. The Band’s 40th Anniversary was celebrated throughout 2018 and it was culminated by an amazing honor that I helped make happen. On December 18, 2018, Mayor London Breed signed into law an ordinance declaring the SFLGFB as “The Official Band of San Francisco.” This was the culmination of 18+ months of hard work but it was all worthwhile.
A group like the SFLGFB breaks down barriers between LGBT and non-LGBT communities through music and performance. Being in a group such as this has also broken down many social barriers for me and my fellow Band members. I have acquired a large network of current and former SFLGFB members who now comprise most of my very best friends. Through the shared love of music, we have formed our own family. Together with this family, I have faced and overcome so many barriers and accomplished so much. These are things that none of us could have done on our own.