A Lesbian Feminist First

The Artemis Singers, the first Lesbian Feminist chorus in the USA is from Chicago, Illinois and celebrating 35 years of pozitive change in cultural assumptions regarding women and women artists while increasing Lesbian feminism.

StonewallAGAIN's Bisexual liaison, Br. Michael C. Oboza (ret) who is also a feminist went to Artemis Singers's Women in Music a Celebration concert 2014. Afterward, Oboza was unprepared, yet, grateful to interview some Chorus members asking why Artemis Singers?

Mary (Soprano 2) "I went from audience to joining. I love this Lesbian Feminist group of women who like to make music together. ...We may not be all lesbians, but we are all feminists."

Allison (Soprano 2) "Amazing community" with musical and social... "So, that if you are strong musically and socially, it makes you a better musician."

Rennie (Alto 1) "I was a teacher and went to Artemis Singers concerts... It was empowering to sing the songs and meet the singers. I was persuaded to join Artemis Singers, a community and a sence of support. It made a huge impact on my life as a result."

Marianne (Alto 1) "I continue singing with Artemis Singers, because I learned about the beautiful music... I got hooked. Again." After all, "there is a connection to women's music that extends over decades that I was not exposed to."

Loraine (Soprano 2) Even though, "I have been a Soprano 2 all of my life." I am a Chorus member for over 25 years "because it is wonderful to grow as a musician in a group that always changes." (Loraine smiled while she shared how wonderful being in Artemis Singers is for her.)

Diana (Alto 2) "I joined Artemis Singers, because I love singing in choruses. And it is Lesbian Feminist..." And the music that we perform "is not heard in many different places."

Copia (Alto 1) "I am a radical feminist... I wanted to sing with other radical feminists and was looking for a Feminist community. I found Artemis Singers... I first joined as a token Straight woman... Four years later, I came out Lesbian feminist."

Mickey (Soprano 1)  "In the early 1970's, I was 17-18 years old going to bars. That was the only place to go to find people like myself, a lesbian. I remember being in a bar called The Midget Inn and hearing someone yell "Raid!" The police were coming in to raid and arrest us for being gay and lesbian. "I was so scared that I hid under a pool table..." In the early years of Artemis Singers, "I suggested fundraising to help the chorus." Then later on, "I joined as a Chorus member in 1998, because I like to sing in a Women's group.... This is a gift to belong to a chorus of all women who understand me as a woman and lesbian." I remember being with Artemis Singers on a flat bed truck in the 1999 Chicago Gay Pride parade. We had an Artemis statue and a sign that read, "2,000 lesbians in Chicago and only 16 sing." Mickey smiled, "I am amazingly happy to belong to Artemis Singers... It is ours! We created it!"