CLAIRE
I first started with the choir in 2008 just through happenstance. It was only when I was involved in the choir that I felt really comfortable around women for the first time. I thought perhaps I needed to be with such strong feminine energy to feel comfortable. But then over time I’ve realised it’s because I could see myself in the women in the choir.
Being the conductor of GALSWA I realised that I needed to create a safe space for everyone because when I joined the choir a lot of people weren’t out. I decided that if they had a safe space with us, then even if just for a few hours a week they could enjoy being out, safe and comfortable. I guess I was doing that for myself on a subconscious level; by creating a safe space for other people it gave the energy flow for me to be true to myself.
I was conducting the choir and was married and had two children and one day we went – about eight years in – to choir camp. I’d rehearsed the piece we were doing, it was Sarah Bareille’s ‘Brave’, and I’d learnt all the music and on the first day I’d taught it to the sopranos and altos, tenors and basses and everything was fine and dandy. And then we hit the chorus with everyone singing. And I always knew that music was really powerful and healing but I’d never experienced it on this level. When we hit that chorus it was like a comet was coming - clarity. It was like an epiphany. It hit me in the side of the head. And I realised at that moment, mid rehearsal, in Dwellingup, in my Ugg boots, that I’m a lesbian.
At that very moment it was like my world just crumbled in front of me. And I realised that that would change so much of my life, that I had to leave my husband, I had to tell my children, I had to be honest with everyone and be authentic, because I was finally truthful with myself. And then I started to cry in the middle of the rehearsal. And everyone else started crying too. And they said ‘What’s wrong?’ and I said ‘Oh it’s just really beautiful’ because I couldn’t say ‘I’ve just realised that I’m a lesbian and I have to leave my husband.’ But I knew that I had to do it with integrity and kindness and so it took me a month to tell my husband. He said ‘Well done, I’m really proud of you and it makes a lot of sense and good on you for having the courage to be authentic.’
At first my ex was incredibly accepting. And then he had to grieve. And that’s understandable. I just tried to hold a safe space for us, ready for him to step in. I tried to stay calm for us. It took a year, text book grieving, and now we’re friends and we co-parent and I think if everyone could do that the world would be in such a better place.
I met Liz through the choir. It just felt so right. When I’d been in previous relationships I ‘friend-zoned’ my partner every time. But being with someone who I was actually attracted to and felt a soul connection with, I understood what it was like to be with the one.
The choir provides a place for people to connect to their hearts and their solar plexus. Singing releases so much emotion and baggage, so singing as a group is actually a healing space for everybody.
Being the conductor of GALSWA I realised that I needed to create a safe space for everyone because when I joined the choir a lot of people weren’t out. I decided that if they had a safe space with us, then even if just for a few hours a week they could enjoy being out, safe and comfortable. I guess I was doing that for myself on a subconscious level; by creating a safe space for other people it gave the energy flow for me to be true to myself.
I was conducting the choir and was married and had two children and one day we went – about eight years in – to choir camp. I’d rehearsed the piece we were doing, it was Sarah Bareille’s ‘Brave’, and I’d learnt all the music and on the first day I’d taught it to the sopranos and altos, tenors and basses and everything was fine and dandy. And then we hit the chorus with everyone singing. And I always knew that music was really powerful and healing but I’d never experienced it on this level. When we hit that chorus it was like a comet was coming - clarity. It was like an epiphany. It hit me in the side of the head. And I realised at that moment, mid rehearsal, in Dwellingup, in my Ugg boots, that I’m a lesbian.
At that very moment it was like my world just crumbled in front of me. And I realised that that would change so much of my life, that I had to leave my husband, I had to tell my children, I had to be honest with everyone and be authentic, because I was finally truthful with myself. And then I started to cry in the middle of the rehearsal. And everyone else started crying too. And they said ‘What’s wrong?’ and I said ‘Oh it’s just really beautiful’ because I couldn’t say ‘I’ve just realised that I’m a lesbian and I have to leave my husband.’ But I knew that I had to do it with integrity and kindness and so it took me a month to tell my husband. He said ‘Well done, I’m really proud of you and it makes a lot of sense and good on you for having the courage to be authentic.’
At first my ex was incredibly accepting. And then he had to grieve. And that’s understandable. I just tried to hold a safe space for us, ready for him to step in. I tried to stay calm for us. It took a year, text book grieving, and now we’re friends and we co-parent and I think if everyone could do that the world would be in such a better place.
I met Liz through the choir. It just felt so right. When I’d been in previous relationships I ‘friend-zoned’ my partner every time. But being with someone who I was actually attracted to and felt a soul connection with, I understood what it was like to be with the one.
The choir provides a place for people to connect to their hearts and their solar plexus. Singing releases so much emotion and baggage, so singing as a group is actually a healing space for everybody.