Beijing Queer Chorus

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Beijing Queer Chorus (BQC) is a semiprofessional mixed choir founded in 2008. It is the first publicly performing LGBT+ choir in Mainland China, and is one of the first two Asian choirs attending international LGBT choral festivals. BQC currently{{when|date=February 2020}} has over 100 members registered.

To practice the idea "Sing for a Better World", BQC conducts various public music events on a regular base and actively participate in music communications domestically and internationally. After attending LGBT Chorus festival around the world for several times, it jointly hosted the first Queer Chorus Festival in Mainland China along with six LGBT+ choirs. Through chorus shows and cultural communication in Tianjin, Hong Kong, Taipei, Tokyo, London, Seattle, Portland etc., chorus members hope to break down the barriers among individuals and groups.

BQC has collaborated with partners including the British, Dutch, and German embassies in Beijing, China, TEDx, VICE China, and the Broadway Musical RENT. It also promotes AIDS prevention activities and attends environmental protection events.

The chorus was founded in October 2008 as the Shining Jazzy Chorus.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=658286517571471&id=249213051812155 | accessdate=29 April 2014 | title= renaming announcement on facebook| website=Facebook }} Currently, they perform two concerts each year.{{cite web|url=http://www.cityweekend.com.cn/beijing/events/96034/|title=The 3rd anniversary concert of the Shining Jazzy Chorus|publisher=City Weekend|accessdate=29 February 2012|quote=This LGBT chorus has been in operation for three years. It returns to Beijing for a performance at Si Ju Fang Theatre, outside the city.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222055111/http://www.cityweekend.com.cn/beijing/events/96034/|archive-date=22 February 2014|url-status=dead}}{{cite journal |title=jazz hands |date=September 2012 | journal= City Weekend | pages= 31 | volume=12 | issue=27 }}{{cite journal |last1=Fitch |first1=Laura |last2=Song |first2=Simon |date=January 2013 | title=Pride&Joy |journal= South China Morning Post - Post Magazine |pages= 22 | publisher = South China Morning Post | url=http://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/article/1123679/pride-joy |accessdate=13 January 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.douban.com/event/17489119/|title=三棱减一合唱团4周年音乐会|accessdate=15 April 2013|archive-date=14 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714230134/http://www.douban.com/event/17489119/|url-status=dead}} In June 2013, they performed with Seattle Men's Chorus assistant director, Eric Lane Barnes.{{cite web| url=http://galachoruses.org/blog/a-concert-in-beijing/ | title=a concert in beijing | publisher=GALA }} The following month of that year, they met with Gary Locke.{{cite web| url=http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_631f38360101dd59.html | title=Chinese LGBTQ Chorus wins acclaim of the U.S. ambassador Gary Faye Locke }} In April 2014, they changed their name to the Beijing Queer Chorus. In the same year, two BQC singers attended Various Voices Dublin 2014. In July 2016, 14 BQC singers attended the GALA choruses festival in Denver, U.S.{{cite web| url=http://www.denverpost.com/2016/07/05/lgbt-choruses-perform-denver/ | title=LGBT choruses perform along Denver's 16th Street Mall | date=6 July 2016 | publisher=The Denver Post }}{{cite web | url=http://denverconvention.com/about-us/media-center/press-releases/worlds-largest-lgbt-performing-arts-event/ | title=World's Largest LGBT Performing Arts Event | publisher=Colorado Convention Center | access-date=11 August 2016 | archive-date=19 August 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819212401/http://denverconvention.com/about-us/media-center/press-releases/worlds-largest-lgbt-performing-arts-event | url-status=dead }} In December 2016, they celebrates 8th anniversary.{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}} In March 2018, they toured Northwestern U.S.{{cite journal |first1=Miryam |last1=Gordon |date=23 March 2018 |title=Beijing Queer Chorus concert a memorable and bittersweet evening |journal=Seattle Gay News |url=http://www.sgn.org/sgnnews46_12/page23.cfm |accessdate=25 March 2018 |archive-date=25 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180325105842/http://www.sgn.org/sgnnews46_12/page23.cfm |url-status=dead }}{{cite journal |first1=Jennifer |last1=Anderson |date=4 March 2018 | title=Gay Men's Chorus taking trip to China |journal= Portland Tribune | url=https://portlandtribune.com/pt/11-features/388330-276012-gay-mens-chorus-breaks-boundaries-through-song |accessdate=25 March 2018}}{{cite journal |first1= Kamna |last1=Shastri |date=14 March 2018 | title=Beijing Queer Chorus sings for a better world |journal= The Seattle Globalist | url=http://www.seattleglobalist.com/2018/03/14/beijing-queer-chorus-sing-better-world-visits-pacific-northwest/72858?ref=upflow.co |accessdate=25 March 2018}}

{{reflist}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20181130142441/http://www.bqcbqc.org/ Official website]
• [https://site.douban.com/beijing-queer-chorus/ music collection] at Douban

{{LGBT |culture=yes}}

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Category:LGBTQ culture in Beijing

Category:Musical groups established in 2008

Category:Chinese choirs

Category:LGBTQ choruses

Category:LGBTQ organizations based in China

Category:Organizations based in Beijing

Category:2008 establishments in China

Category:Musical groups from Beijing