BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Gay Men’s Chorus will still perform in the Summer Choir Festival after it was canceled by the Diocese of Buffalo, which cited the group’s "values are inconsistent with Catholic teaching."

The festival, which is hosted by the Greater Buffalo Friends of Music, is no longer being held at St. Joseph Cathedral. Instead it will be held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church on Main St. on June 9 at 4 p.m.

What You Need To Know

  • The Summer Choir Festival has been moved to the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

  • It takes place on June 9 at 4 p.m

  • The Diocese of Buffalo canceled the event two weeks in advance citing a lineup that included the Buffalo Gay Men's Chorus and misaligned values between the group and the church

  • Members of the BGMC said they have received an outpouring of support since the decision

The full list of performing choir groups was included in the Cathedral’s bulletin’s on May 12 and May 19.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the diocese said:

"In planning to serve as a venue for the Summer Choir Festival originally scheduled for Sunday, June 9, the Diocese did not receive all details on the choirs expected to perform prior to confirmation of the event. When all participants had been confirmed, the Diocese chose to not host the concert because a choir identified to perform is a group whose values are inconsistent with Catholic teaching. While we are disappointed that we had to cancel the concert, we understand that another venue has been identified for the concert.”

Dr. Rob Strauss, artistic director with the Buffalo Gay Men’s Chorus, said he was disappointed by the decision.

"It was a little bit of a head in the hands moment thinking, haven’t we come further than this in 2024?" he said.

The group’s mission statement on their website reads, "The Buffalo Gay Men’s Chorus is dedicated to producing vocal music of high quality in the rich tradition of men’s choral singing. We seek through song not only to entertain, but to enlighten. We sing to create harmony as we celebrate pride in the community and in ourselves."

Dr. Strauss said the BGMC exists for moments like this.

"You don’t have to be straight. You don't have to identify as male to sing with us. We’ve got a really great cross-section of people and it’s interesting, fascinating, wonderful to see them interacting, to learn from each other. I think it is beautiful as well," he said.

Following the diocese’s decision to cancel the festival, Tim Socha, music director at St. Joseph Cathedral and artistic director of Greater Buffalo Friends of Music, submitted his resignation to the Cathedral after 17 years.

Rep. Tim Kennedy has called for the reversal of the decision in a letter to Bishop Michael Fisher.

"Growing up Catholic, the most important lesson taught to me and my siblings was the importance of helping people, to do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” said Kennedy. "Our job is to help those who are in need, to stand up for those who are forgotten by society, and to build a better world based on love and understanding. This can be summed up by Mark 12:31: You must love your neighbor as yourself. It is my hope that the diocese will embrace this view as well and reverse this decision."