Video and Transcript: San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus Taunts: ‘We’ll Convert Your Children’

The following (July 1, 2021) video produced by the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus touched off an avalanche of outrage across America with its sneering, satirical taunt, “We’ll convert your children”–which SFGMC claimed was merely “tongue-in-cheek humor.” After the “Message from the Gay Community” was roundly condemned by various leading conservatives, SFGMC first took down the video, then republished along with a response to critics–while also disabling it so it could not be reposted on other sites. The full lyrics are beneath the video; this is our we’ll have much more to say about this.–Peter LaBarbera, AFTAH  

Verbatim transcript of San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus video:

Troy Iwata talking: “As we celebrate pride and the progress we’ve made over these past years, there’s still work to be done. So to those of you out there who are still working against equal rights, we have a message for you [he starts singing]:

You think we’re sinful,

you fight against our rights,

you say we all lead lives you can’t respect.

But you’re just frightened,

you think that we’ll corrupt your kids,

if our agenda goes unchecked.

Funny, just this once, you’re correct.

[Refrain:]

We’ll convert your children,

happens bit by bit,

quietly and subtly,

and you will barely notice it.

You can keep [them] from disco,

warn about San Francisco,

make ’em wear pleated pants, we don’t care,

We’ll convert your children,

we’ll make them tolerant and fair.

[Daniel Quadrino talking:]

At first i didn’t get why you’d be so

scared of us turning your children into

accepting, caring people,

but I see now why you’d have a problem with that:

[Iwata returns singing:]

Just like you worried,

they’ll change their group of friends,

you won’t approve of where they go at night–

[Quadrino:]

–To protest!

[Iwata:]

[Oh], and you’ll be disgusted–

[Quadrino:]

–So gross–

[Iwata:]

–when they start finding things online,

that you’ve kept far from their sight–

[Quadrino:]

–like information–

[Iwata:]

–Guess what? [they sing together:], you’ll still be all right!

[Singing refrain together:]

We’ll convert your children–

[Iwata:] Yes, we will,

[Quadrino:] Reaching one and all. There’s really no escaping it,

[Iwata:] as even grandma likes RuPaul.

[Quadrino:] And the world’s getting kinder,

Gen-Z’s gayer than Grindr**

[Iwata:] Learn to love, learn to vote, face your fate:

We’ll convert your children,

someone’s gotta’ teach them not to hate!

[At 2:20 and the word “hate,” video shifts to entire chorus singing on adjacent individual screens]

[Iwata:] We’re coming for them!

[Quadrino:] We’re coming for your children!

[Iwata:] We’re coming for them!

[Chorus sings in unison:]

We’re coming for them,

We’re coming for your children

[Chorus:]

Your children will care about fairness and justice for others,

your children will work to convert all their sisters and brothers,

then soon we’re almost certain,

your kids will start convertin’ you.

The gay agenda is coming home!

The gay agenda is here!

But you don’t have to worry, [echoes]

’cause there’s nothing wrong with standing by our side

Get on board in a hurry, [echoes]

because the world always needs a bit more pride

[Cascading medley of: “the gay agenda” while the verses directly above are being sung]

[Chorus in unison:]

C’mon, try a little pride!

We’ll convert your children,

Then we’ll turn to you,

Giving up the fear inside is freeing like you never knew,

[Iwata:] Go and see San Francisco,

[Quadrino:] Go and turn up that disco!

[Iwata, Quadrino and chorus:]

You’ll forget you were ever upset!

We’ll convert your children,

and make an ally of you yet.

We’ll make an ally of you yet.

We’ll make an ally of you yet!

_________________________________________________

** Grindr is a digital hook-up app for homosexual men seeking quick, casual sexual encounters nearby.