Lesbian and Gay Band Association

Membership

Membership in bands is open to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and straight people of all genders and any level of musicianship. In addition to the member bands there are Partner groups, including Cheer San Francisco, and LGBT orchestras, such as Queer Urban Orchestra in New York. There are also partner bands in Canada, Australia, and the European Union. Individuals may join LGBA as Affiliate Members.

Great performances are the most visible manifestation of the Lesbian and Gay band movement. Member bands across the country appear in hundreds of concerts, parades, and community events every year. Member bands in geographic proximity often perform together, and a typical marching schedule will include Pride Parades in several different cities.

LGBA strives to unite men and women who share a love of band music, and the bands help create and enhance the "community" its members call home. Through musical performance, LGBA bands make a powerful political statement in a non-political way. Whether marching or playing a concert, we proudly proclaim We Are Who We Are.

LGBA bands are sources of pride within their cities, as well as positive symbols of the same communities. Making music creates a family where affection means more than affectional preference. By "banding together," LGBA shows that people of different sexes, ages, creeds, races, and challenges can build a strong community.

For a full and current list of LGBA members and partners, please see the organization's website LGBA.org [1]

Conferences And Special Events

The Lesbian and Gay Band Association meets annually in different cities to plan events, encourage the formation of new bands, and share the gift of music. Seminars on topics such as musicianship, programming, membership diversity, and organizational skills are held in addition to general business and committee meetings. The conferences are regularly hosted by one or more LGBA bands, and serve as the organization's formal annual meeting. The conferences usually include a performance element, either a concert or a parade and sometimes both. Conferences have been held throughout the United States as well as in Canada and Australia. A list of recent and future conferences is listed below.

At the 2004 LGBA Conference in Fort Lauderdale the massed band played Russian Christmas Music under the direction of composer Alfred Reed, and In Glory Triumphant conducted by composer Robert Longfield. During the 2005 LGBA Conference, composer Frank Ticheli conducted the LGBA Band of 120 musicians in Abracadabra and An American Elegy.

For the 2012 Conference in Dallas, the LGBA commissioned a new work by composer Michael Markowski. He composed City Trees to Commemorate 30 Years of Music, Visibility, and Pride.

Notable performances

The LGBA was the first openly-LGBT organization invited to participate in the Parade and Review of the United States presidential inauguration, first doing so in 2009 . The 2013 inaugural featured a 215-strong LGBA contingent hailing from different U.S. localities. Members of LGBA also performed during both inaugurals of President Bill Clinton in 1993 and 1997.

The LGBA performed in Washington, DC for the March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation (1987) and again for the Millennium March on Washington in April 2000 with concerts at the Warner Theatre (1993) and on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial (2000).

The 4th LGBA Conference was held in Los Angeles, CA and featured a Concert at the Hollywood Bowl with special guest Rita Moreno. The concert, A Gay Night at the Bowl was performed on June 30, 1984.