In case you missed it, here’s an 8 minute extract from Philip Rescorla’s hour-long stint as a guest on Rosie Wilby‘s show on Resonance FM the Monday before Pride London 2010. Pinkie tenor and resident Pink Singers historian, Philip was invited to talk about what it was like to be in the Gay Liberation Front. He discusses the role music plays in the Pride movement, the motivations for the Pink Singers’ trip to Tampa, Florida in 1996, and the meaning behind the song Hand In Hand (excerpt included from the 3:52 mark). Just hit play! Continue reading “Tampa, Pride marches, hand in hand”
My journey with the Pinkies began with an internet search engine. A lively website and interesting-looking range of songs led me to their Winter Concert. After seeing the live performance, I just knew I had to be a part of it! This is how I found myself standing outside the Pinkies’ rehearsal venue on a Sunday afternoon in January facing the first audition of my life! After a few moments of trying to remember how to breathe, I was met by the lovely Liang. He helped put my nerves at ease and did an amazing job of remembering all of our names as he introduced us ‘newbies’ to each other. Once inside we were welcomed warmly by the Pinkies and guided to the relevant section. Mladen then took us through a thorough warm up, waking up some forgotten vocal muscles before revealing the repertoire for the season. It was as varied as I’d hoped – from Abba to Sondheim to Vivaldi! It was wonderful to be singing in a group again. Continue reading “My journey with the Pinkies begins!”
The Pink Singers had a great time at Pride, and here are the photos to prove it! Pride London has a very special significance for us. We were, after all, formed in 1983 to add music to the annual march. That was a very different time, and a very different London. Pride now demonstrates just how varied and diverse the LGBT community is, and the Pinkies are proud to be a part of it. Pride London 2010, proud to be. You can also head on over to the Pinkies’ Pride London 2010 Flickr album to view the photos there.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LO4TcMmWkbg Does your mother know that you’re out? There was never a better double entendre to ABBA’s classic song than when the Pink Singers performed it at our concert, and then again at our 27th Pride. It was also the 40th anniversary of the Gay Liberation Front, and here’s a look at the Pink Singers celebrating the occasion on the Pride parade and on stage in Trafalgar Square. What a rush!
This year London Pride celebrates everything 1970 because it’s 40 years since the formation of the Gay Liberation Front. The Stonewall Rebellion began in New York in June 1969 and just over a year later the GLF was born. According to the Pride London website “the GLF was a revolutionary group of radical queens, hippies, students and activists who brought LGBT rights out in to the open.” Pink Singer Philip remembers the first GLF march a year later, officially to protest the age of consent:
The march from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square was on 28 August 1971. There were about 1,000 people and the whole thing was lead by a Nigerian drum band. A very tall guy from Sweden grabbed my arm and said ‘I march with you’ and didn’t let go until we reached the Square. I remember we sang Bachelor Boy and My Guy. I felt like a gay Cliff Richard. We were joined by lot of sweet men in drag who sang along. It was possibly the first ever gay men’s chorus! I’ve been singing on Pride marches ever since.
Photo by Oskar Marchock
Philip has been marching and singing since the start and is a long serving member of the choir. We’re proud that the choir is made up of old and new members. Last year, on 3 July 2009, when the Pink Singers thrilled the crowd in Trafalgar Square once more, it was Kate’s first Pride:
The best bit of my first Pride was singing on the main stage in Trafalgar Square and seeing thousands of people who had turned up to enjoy the day, being proud of who they were, and everyone belting out the chorus to YMCA. That, and getting my first rainbow-coloured cowboy hat.
Performing in Trafalgar Square at Pride 2009
The first ever London Gay Pride Rally was held a year after the GLF march on the 1 July 1972 and about 2,000 people came. Times have changed: in 2009 London Pride attracted 1,000,000 visitors. However, many of the original GLF demands from 1970 have still not been met in this country and in many countries throughout the world. In summary, these demands are:
discrimination against gay people must end
gay people should be taught that their feelings are normal
sex education must be inclusive
homosexuality isn’t a problem or sickness
communication between gay people should be open and police harassment must stop
discrimination by employers must stop
the age of consent should be equal for all
gay people must be free to hold hands and kiss in public.
Many of the Pink Singers also took part in Malta Pride last year. Our collaboration with a church youth choir resulted in a performance where LGBT people and the Catholic Church joined together to call for equality. And surprise song Hallini brought the house down! The Pinkies’ support for the Pride march showed how much we believe in supporting gay rights internationally. Kate says:
Malta Pride was a much smaller affair than London and it reminded me of how lucky we are in London and the freedom that we have. It drove home how important pride marches are to creating awareness of gay rights. The bravery of the people openly marching in Malta was completely inspiring. But then again the big celebration of gayness at London Pride is no bad thing either!
Malta Pride 2009
And now here we are in 2010. The Pink Singers are once again in the Pride parade and also on stage in Trafalgar Square, singing ‘Does your mother know’. There was never a better double entendre to ABBA’s classic song!
Louise Tondeur (with Philip Rescorla and Kate Nicholls)
