In a statement executive director Peter Criswell said, "We are not going down without a fight. We have drastically reduced operating expenses and embarked on a no-holds barred fundraising campaign. We have remained a grassroots organization with many generous individuals and a few loyal corporate sponsors supporting us. In a better economy, that kept us afloat. However, with today's economic downturn and rising costs, we will not be able to begin our 30th anniversary season without an influx of funds. We are making our plight public to ask for steady, solid, ongoing support from our straight friends and allies as well as the LGBT community in New York and beyond to ensure our survival and long-term viability."

The planned 30th anniversary season, which begins in September, features a return to Town Hall for the annual holiday concert, a spring installment of the popular Big Gay Sing, and the summer concert, Addicted to Love, which will look at both a light-hearted view of love and feature Through a Glass, Darkly, a provocative piece about crystal meth addiction.

To make a tax-deductible donation or find out more about the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus, visit www.nycgmc.org or contact Criswell at (212) 344-1777, ext. 1, or by e-mail at [email protected].