DIVERSITY: THE VOICES OF SARASOTA
Our History & Who We Are
Key Moments in Our Journey
1997 — Hello Sarasota
The Gulf Coast Men’s Chorus is founded and performs its debut concert at The Players Theatre.
Founding members: George Drummond, John Sorbo, Jeffrey Smart, Steve Woodbury, and Ray Efird
2000 & 2004 — GALA Bound
GCMC represents Sarasota at GALA Festival 2000 in San Jose and GALA Festival 2004 in Montreal.
2005 — Enter Harmony
The chorus launches Harmony: The Women’s Voices of Sarasota, expanding its mission to include gay and gay-friendly women.
2008 — Two Become One
GCMC and Harmony officially merge to form Diversity: The Voices of Sarasota.
(Note: Our legal name remains Gulf Coast Men’s Chorus, Inc., but we’ve done business as “Diversity” ever since—an homage to our roots and a reflection of who we’ve become.)
2016 & 2024 — GALA Milestones
The chorus performs at GALA Festival 2016 (Denver) and GALA Festival 2024 (Minneapolis), celebrating pride and community with over 7,000 singers worldwide. Click Here to see Recap of 2024 GALA performance.
2022–2023 — 25 Years of Song
Diversity celebrates its 25th anniversary season, marking a quarter-century of music, growth, and visibility. Click Here to read more about Diverity's 25th Anniversary celebration.
2024–2025 — Riding the Wave to Season 28
Now in Season 28, Diversity features an official roster of 60 to 65 active singers and recently returned from GALA 2024 inspired and energized.
Our Story: A Harmony Years in the Making​
In the fall of 1997, a small but determined group of singers stood up—and sang out. Led by founding members George Drummond, John Sorbo, Jeffrey Smart†, Steve Woodbury, and Ray Efird, they launched the Gulf Coast Men’s Chorus, Sarasota’s first openly LGBTQ+ chorus. Their mission was simple yet powerful: to build community through music and shine a light in a world that didn’t always welcome them. Their first concert took place that December at The Players Theatre, and from that moment on, Sarasota had a new sound—and a new source of pride. By 2005, the chorus expanded its vision—and its voice. A new women’s ensemble, Harmony: The Women’s Voices of Sarasota, debuted at the Sarasota Opera House. Together, they gave life to a broader, more inclusive musical family.
Two Ensembles Merge to be Diversity: The Voices of Sarasota
In 2008, the two ensembles officially merged and became the chorus we know and love today: DIVERSITY: THE VOICES OF SARASOTA. While our legal name remains Gulf Coast Men’s Chorus, Inc., we’ve been doing business as Diversity: The Voices of Sarasota ever since. It was a practical decision back then—and a meaningful one now. It honors our beginnings while reflecting the chorus we’ve become: mixed voice, LGBTQIA+ inclusive, and welcoming to all who seek harmony, both musical and personal.
Who We Are Today
In 2022–2023, we celebrated our 25th anniversary season with gratitude, resilience, and fabulous flair. That milestone honored every singer, director, supporter, and audience member who helped shape our sound and story. Now, as we step into Season 28, our chorus is stronger than ever—with an official roster of 60 to 65 active singers, a dedicated artistic and administrative team, and a growing community of alumni and allies. Our music is bold, our message is clear, and our hearts are wide open. In July 2024, we returned from GALA Festival in Minneapolis, where we joined choruses from across the globe in a celebration of music, activism, and joy. We came back inspired, energized, and united in our commitment to ride the wave all the way to GALA 2028. In March 2025, we were awarded Sarasota Magazine’s 2025 Unity Award. The award celebrates our efforts to overcome differences and build a more inclusive, equitable community. We’ve been through a lot—pandemics, parking garage rehearsals, and a few too many high notes at holiday sing-alongs—but through it all, we’ve held one truth close:
🎵 We are not just a group of singers. We are a family—and your voice is now part of our story.
Quick Links to Recaps of Key Events & Performances
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​2025 Events & Performances​
1997-2022 Events & Performances​
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