This is me! I’m Faron Niles. It took me a while, but I think I’ve finally figured out who I am.
I was raised in a small town in southern Wisconsin where everyone looked and thought alike. White, Christian, conservative in all aspects of life – including how they viewed LGBTQ people. I was ‘the other’ and I knew it from a young age.
I tried to live up to everyone else’s expectations. I got involved in the church and got married and had three children…but I was unhappy. After 10 years of trying to be someone else, I finally had to be true to ME. I came out, left the church, got a divorce, and moved across country to be with a man I had met in an AOL chatroom. Singing had been very important when I was in the church and after I came out, I missed it very much.
After several years in Northern California, a friend asked me to audition for the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus. I was nervous, but I did it – and I made it! I was figuring out who I was and a part of that was making music. Now THIS was me. Surrounded by over 200 other men making beautiful music together and singing my truth.
I’ve moved a few times since then. My kids are grown and I have grandkids now. I met a wonderful man online 7 years ago – Rodney Lofton from Richmond, Virginia. We fell in love quickly, bought a house, and moved here so we could build a life together. I also quickly found Monument City Music and joined the Men’s Chorus that first fall. When they announced the formation of The Noteables several years later, I knew I wanted to audition! I love singing in a mixed ensemble and it has truly been so much more than I expected or hoped for. I’m humbled and honored to sing with these talented, warm and accepting people!
This is me – proud to be a gay man, proud of my husband Rodney, proud father of 3 and grandfather of 2, and proud to be a 7 year member of the Men’s Chorus and founding member of The Noteables.
Save the date: MCM is taking part in national Give OUT Day to support our group The Noteables!
The Noteables is a mixed-voice community of singers that performs both a capella and accompanied repertoire and serves to to deliver a clear message of support for the LGBTQ community. A diverse ensemble, welcoming all singers regardless of sexual orientation, and striving to create a more inspired, hopeful, and unified Richmond through song. A significant focus is creating fellowship amongst all of our members. The chorus is a member of GALA, the Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses, and will perform at GALA Festival 2020 Minneapolis!
What is Give OUT Day?
Give OUT Day is the ONLY national day of giving for the LGBTQ community – a 24-hour online fundraising event that unites donors and nonprofit organizations from across the community to raise critically needed funds. The technology platform is provided for free and hundreds of nonprofits have leveraged it to attract new donors, motivate their boards and other supporters, and raise their visibility.
