Orange County’s MenAlive chorus is celebrating its 25th anniversary, marking a quarter-century of providing a community for LGBTQIA+ people in the region. The organization, which began with 13 men attending an initial rehearsal in September 2001 after Rich Cook set a goal of 12, has grown into a chorus of more than 100 singers and volunteers.
From its inception, MenAlive has aimed to be more than a singing group, striving to offer voice, visibility, and a sense of belonging. The chorus has created what it describes as a safe space for individuals, providing connection, healing, and hope through music. Both members and audiences have shared experiences of finding a sense of belonging and support, sometimes for the first time.
Executive Director Valerie Ousley emphasized the transformative power of music, stating, “This chorus has been a place where people find their voice, but more importantly, where they find themselves and a community that refuses to let them stand alone.”
MenAlive has performed alongside notable artists such as Leslie Jordan, Bernadette Peters, and Liza Minnelli. The chorus has also appeared at prominent venues including Walt Disney Concert Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, and the Hollywood Bowl. These performances are noted as milestones reflecting the visibility of queer voices on stages where they were not previously seen or heard.
For its 25th-anniversary season, MenAlive has scheduled a landmark concert calendar for 2026. This begins with its anniversary showcase, MenAlive25: Finding Our Voice, at the Irvine Barclay Theatre this May. Later in the year, the chorus is scheduled to perform for the sixth time at the Hollywood Bowl in September, opening for The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA. Additional performances include Battle for Broadway in October and the holiday concert Celebrate! From Our Hearth to Yours in December.
Music Director Gavin Thrasher expressed his enthusiasm for the anniversary season, noting, “Building on a quarter-century of creating community through choral music, we are expanding our reach and welcoming new members, ensembles, and volunteers into the family.”
Looking ahead, MenAlive will launch PrideAlive in August, which is described as Orange County’s first mixed-voice queer chorus, operating under the newly formed VoicesAlive umbrella. This expansion is based on the belief that there is always room for more voices and more people seeking connection.
Valerie Ousley, who has been with the organization for over 20 years, highlighted the personal impact of MenAlive, mentioning her son’s membership in the chorus. She remarked, “In that moment, it becomes clear: this is more than music. This is legacy.” The organization continues to make space for those seeking a place to belong, growing from its initial 13 voices into a broader community and movement.
