network. GMCLA became the first gay men's chorus ever to perform for a sitting President of the United States, Bill Clinton in 1997. In September 2011, GMCLA sang for President Barack Obama at a fundraiser in West Hollywood, California. GMCLA became the first openly gay performers ever to be broadcast nationally over Russian television during their 1999 concert tour (sold-out concert in Tchaikovsky Hall, Moscow). In 2006, GMCLA was the first openly gay chorus to tour South America (Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Chile), performing at some of the most revered theatres and concert venues. The repertoire included North American and European classical and popular music from Bacharach to Verdi, as well as new works commissioned for the tour by Daniel Catán, Rosephanye Powell, and Daniel Alfonso. New music for the Tour was funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, the James Irvine Foundation, and Los Angeles County Arts Commission. In each of the four countries, the Chorus raised money for LGBT and HIV organizations, as well as helped to start the first gay chorus in South America, in Rio de Janeiro. Each year the Chorus presents three mainstage concerts in such venues as the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills, California, Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles, California, and the historic Alex Theatre in Glendale, California; GMCLA performed over 100 times on the Alex stage since 1994, more than any other musical group in the theater's history. GMCLA was featured in the song "Shia LaBeouf" by Rob Cantor. In 2010 GMCLA recorded a music video of Cyndi Lauper's "True Colors" as part of the It Gets Better campaign in support of gay and lesbian teens. Singers LeAnn Rimes and Sheryl Lee Ralph joined the Chorus in December 2010 for their "Comfort and Joy" concerts, which also addressed bullying and teen suicide. In 2013 GMCLA performed in the 85th Academy Awards, now the Oscars, in the opening musical sequence "We Saw Your Boobs" with host Seth MacFarlane. The following year they were featured at the Hollywood Bowl in "The Simpsons Take The Bowl" with Conan O'Brien, Beverly D'Angelo, and the cast and creators of The Simpsons, celebrating the show's 25th Anniversary. References External links Official website Facebook Musical groups established in 1979 Choirs in California Gay men's choruses Musical groups from Los Angeles 1979 establishments in California Gay culture in California