Photos by Kelly Keltos and Devlin Shand for Drew Altizer Photography
On Saturday, April 25, 2026, the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus (SFGMC) annual gala, Crescendo, brought together an extraordinary community of supporters, entertainers, and politicians in support of SFGMC’s artistic and educational initiatives. The room was filled with joy and purpose as the chorus performed with warmth and love in every note to a crowd of 700 attendees.
The evening’s luminaries made it truly unforgettable: hosting the event was the incomparable Monét X Change, (winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars) who dazzled with her range of talents from opera to comedy.
Rita Moreno, an EGOT icon, charmed the crowd with her legendary charisma, and State Senator Scott Wiener encouraged attendees to keep lifting their voices for community and country.
Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi delivered inspiring remarks, calling the chorus the “soul of San Francisco” and sharing her thanks and admiration for the evening’s two honorees: Gilead, which received the Corporate Champion Award, and SFGMC CEO Christopher Verdugo, who won the Visionary Leadership Award.
During his acceptance of the Corporate Champion award, Gilead’s CEO Daniel O’Day spoke powerfully about authentic corporate advocacy and serving the LGBTQ+ community through purpose and action.
The night also served as a heartfelt tribute to outgoing Verdugo, whose decade of transformative leadership has forever shaped the organization. Recalling his legacy, Greg Sarris, Chairman of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, spoke of Verdugo’s ability to turn dreams into reality, especially his role in the creation of the Chan National Queer Arts Center as a permanent home for the chorus in San Francisco.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of everyone in the room, the Crescendo gala raised a record-breaking $1.65 million.
These funds will directly support SFGMC’s mainstage concerts, the Chan National Queer Arts Center, and RHYTHM (Reaching Youth Through Music). This milestone is a testament to what happens when a community comes together in belief—in the power of music, in the importance of belonging, and in a future where every voice is heard. https://www.sfgmc.org/
Arts & Entertainment
Published on May 7, 2026
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