Jon Reed Sims (1947–1984) founded the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus in October 1978, bringing gay men together to make music openly and build community. On November 27, following the assassinations of Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone, the Chorus made its first public appearance at the candlelight vigil on the steps of San Francisco City Hall.

Sims appointed Dick Kramer as the Chorus’s first musical director and introduced SFGMC at its formal debut on December 20, 1978. His involvement continued beyond those founding months through Golden Gate Performing Arts, the umbrella organization he created for SFGMC and other LGBTQ+ ensembles.

Sims died of AIDS-related complications on July 16, 1984, at age 37. The Chorus he founded helped inspire an international LGBTQ+ choral movement. His vision of music as a source of visibility, belonging and solidarity remains central to SFGMC’s work.

Sources: SFGMC history video; SFGMC Legacy Business historical narrative; San Francisco Sentinel, January 11, 1980.

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