By Denny Patterson
In 1986 during the height of the AIDS epidemic, Dr. Gary Keating founded the Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus (FTLGMC), the first gay performing arts organization in the state and one of the first in the nation. He was inspired to start the chorus after a business trip to New York, and it has gained respect and admiration from both gay and straight audiences.
On December 31, 2022, Keating will take his final bow as he will officially be retiring.
“I have nieces and nephews, and now great nieces and nephews, and I want to spend some time with them,” he tells OutClique. “They’re growing up without me, and my husband and I have never really had a chance to do a lot of traveling because I had rehearsals, concerts, World AIDS Day, Pride festivals – it took a lot of commitment.”
Even though Keating will no longer be the chorus’ head honcho, he will stay on as Artistic Director Emeritus.
“If they ever need my help, I’m there,” he says. “I’m not going away completely. They have two incredibly capable conductors, but if I can do something to support the chorus, I will certainly do it.”
Additionally, the FTLGMC will disband and its members will merge with the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida (GMCSF) after Keating steps down. In recent years, the two choruses have performed together several times.
Since arriving in South Florida in 1979, Keating has been an active conductor and has made a mark with his unique approach to choral singing. He received his Bachelor of Music Education from the University of New Hampshire and earned both his Masters of Music and Doctorate of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting at the University of Miami Frost School of Music.
According to Keating, he did not expect the FTLGMC to be as welcomed by the community in the beginning.
“I saw the New York chorus and thought, South Florida could do this, but I wasn’t sure if there would be an interest,” he says. “We had 100 members for our first concert, and we sold out at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts in Miami. The following night, we actually had to turn away 300 people from Parker Playhouse. So, obviously, this community not only needed it, but wanted it.”
Out of everything, Keating is proud of what the chorus has achieved over the years.
“I never dreamed of what the chorus could accomplish,” he says. “Every time they performed, somebody in the chorus invited a friend, family member, co-worker, or whatever, and in many cases, used that performance as their way to come out. All those men and women have changed and helped with acceptance for literally millions of people in South Florida. I mean, let’s face it, there are battles that I thought we had finally won after all these years, but we now have Ron DeSantis and people changing curriculum in schools. At least they passed the Respect for Marriage Act, so we know we have some national support, and we’ve changed enough hearts and minds. The majority of Americans support gay marriage, and we need to keep working. We still have lots of battles to fight, and we still need a nice, safe, creative way for people to come out.”
On Thursday, December 20, 2022, there will be a celebratory “FUNdraiser” at Drynk Bar & Lounge in Wilton Manors to honor Keating’s music legacy and to thank him for his many years of service and dedication to the community. Appetizers will be provided by The Pub on the Drive, along with happy hour cocktails, a silent auction, and 50/50 drawing.
“It has been an incredible honor to stand in front of these dedicated men and women for all these years,” Keating reflects. “They have given up their nights and weekends, being away from their husbands, wives, and families to do this, and it has truly impacted South Florida more than I think most people realize. I look forward to what the chorus will achieve in the future.”
Click HERE to purchase a ticket for Keating’s retirement “FUNdraiser,” and for more information about the FTLGMC, visit FTLGMC.org.
