In a time when diversity is being prosecuted and the struggles and successes of Black Americans is being willfully ignored, the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida (GMCSF) is singing out.

In what was perhaps their most impactful concert ever, the chorus took the stage at Sunshine Cathedral to perform Unbroken Voices: Songs for Justice and Redemption. GMCSF’s Artistic Director, Gabe Salazar, noted the chorus doesn’t usually do a concert in February, but the moment called for such a show.

It was a short program, about 50 minutes. But every moment was thoughtful and intentional. The opening number was Seven Last Words of the Unarmed. The song featured seven short movements where the chorus intoned the last words of seven Black men (Kenneth Chamberlain, Trayvon Martin, Amadou Diallo, Michael Brown, Oscar Grant, John Crawford, and Eric Garner) who were killed at the hands of law enforcement.

A pause between each movement allowed the words to sink in, to know what they were saying in the last, chaotic, and frightful moments of their lives.

A spoken word poem, Black Lives Matter, "I'm Here" by Ronnie Guest paced the show beautifully.

The meanings of two other selections are open to interpretation.

The Greatest Love of All, performed by soloist Charles Robinson, is a classic Whitney Houston song. But the opening line, “I believe the children are the future, teach them well and let them lead the way,” is bittersweet. The “children” she sang of in the ‘80s are now the adults leading the charge to roll back civil rights.

The Times They Are A Changin’ was originally about hope, pointing out that racism was fading fast and equality was inevitable. But in these times, the titular lyric can feel more ominous. The times are changing, but not in a way that advances society.

GMCSF’s next show is Broadway Blockbusters, March 21 at The Parker. For tickets, visit GMCSF.org.

Screenshot via OutSFL Live, YouTube.