Sarah Thompson Leads the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus Through the Power of Connection
By Cesar A Reyes
When Sarah Thompson stepped in as interim executive director of the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus three years ago, she expected to help the organization through a busy moment. With just six weeks until a major concert, she was, as she puts it, “kind of thrown in.” What she didn’t expect was to find a community that would capture her heart.
“I’ve loved every minute of it,” Thompson smiles. “There is never a dull moment.”
Today, she oversees an organization fueled by a small professional staff and more than 100 volunteers, all working toward a shared mission of bringing people together through music. Ask Thompson to describe what drives her work, and she doesn’t hesitate.
“The WORD is Connection,” she says. “Music is one of the few things in the world that has the power to connect people instantly. It transcends age, background, beliefs, and life experiences.”
That belief has shaped the way she leads the chorus. From her first day, Thompson recognized that the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus was about far more than beautiful harmonies.
“From my very first day, I was welcomed into an organization built on passion, purpose, and an unwavering belief that music has the power to change lives,” she says. “The chorus is so much more than singing—it’s about creating belonging and building a community.”
Under her leadership, the chorus has strengthened its ties throughout San Diego by creating meaningful partnerships like “Pride in Every Drop” with the San Diego Blood Bank, giving members another way to serve while making a difference beyond the stage.
One of Thompson’s favorite memories came when the chorus performed on the Netflix series Boots. As the daughter of a veteran, the experience was especially meaningful.
“It reminded me that music has the unique ability to tell stories that resonate far beyond the stage and connect people through shared experiences,” she says.
That same spirit of connection shines throughout the chorus’ 42nd season. Audiences can look forward to the holiday spectacular Jingle: Travelog, the crowd-pleasing A Little Bit Country, A Little Bit Rock ‘n’ Roll, the comic book-inspired Super Gays Assemble: The Quest for Pride!, and the dazzling annual gala, When in Rome, hosted by Queer Eye‘s Jai Rodriguez.
For Thompson, every concert is about making people feel welcome, valued, and seen.
“Every time our Chorus steps onto the stage, we create a connection—not only with our audience, but with one another,” she says. “When people feel connected, they feel seen. When they feel seen, they belong. And when people know they belong, extraordinary things happen.”
It’s a simple word, but for Sarah Thompson, connection is the foundation of everything the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus hopes to accomplish—and the lasting note she wants every audience member to carry home.