Straight Member Of LA’s Gay Men’s Chorus Comes Out Of Closet

Chris Yraola had a confession to make. As the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles was ending a three-concert run, he made the announcement.

“I want to thank everyone for welcoming me,” said tenor Chris Yraola, a 24-year-old music teacher from Eagle Rock. “It means a lot because, No. 1, I’m a little shy. And, No. 2, well, I’m a straight guy.”

For a second, there was silence — “It was definitely a surprise,” Yraola recalls — and then applause broke out. Some people hugged him. Some told him how proud they were. And someone yelled, “Jordan, your cachet just went down by half!” to Jordan Bell (pictured, left), a second-year bass who had been known as the ensemble’s only openly straight singer.

Bell “came out” as straight during a retreat while others were revealing their coming out stories.

One night, people were sharing coming-out stories and someone asked Bell about his experiences. At first, he tried to avoid the question. Then, he says, “I decided to be honest and said, ‘I never came out because I’m straight.’ … The guy said, ‘Wow, you’re straight,’ but said it a little too loudly and a crowd gathered.” The next day, Bell says, “guys were still coming up to me to say it was really cool and show their concern.”

“Since then, they’ve gotten to know me for my personality and treat me like part of the family, understanding my differences of orientation, asking about my dating life.”

Imagine thinking, “Don’t hate me because I’m straight.”

By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.