Cullen’s Corner – Thank you for standing with us
As we prepare to open our season with All is Bright, I want to share just how important this performance has become, “from the podium”. This season was planned through a hopeful lens of winning the battle against an ideology of greed, hate, ignorance, and intolerance with this year’s recent election. Suddenly things have changed. While it has always been a mission to share messages of love, acceptance, and unity, this season brings an even deeper significance. We’re stepping onto the stage with a renewed sense of purpose in a time when our voices are needed more than ever.
The reality we face today is challenging. Many of our trans members — and the trans children of our community — are under attack. The rights of women who support our chorus and our sibling choruses are being questioned and restricted. And with initiatives like Project 2025 promising to roll back protections and even marriage rights for LGBTQ individuals, we’re faced with an uphill road ahead. But our commitment to sharing messages of love and acceptance will not waver. Instead, it grows stronger.
All is Bright is our chance to bring people together in the face of this division. For everyone who has ever felt unseen, we are here to say, “You are valued, you are loved, and you are not alone.” We believe in a Kansas City — and a world — where everyone deserves to live authentically, to feel safe, and to be celebrated. Each note, each lyric, and each performance is a way for us to shine that light of hope, resilience, and courage.
Our season is no longer just about the music; it’s about rallying as a community and showing that we will not be silenced or discouraged. To our loyal season ticket holders, new audience members, corporate sponsors, and cherished community partners: thank you for standing with us. You make it possible for us to keep singing and advocating, to keep providing a safe space for those who need it, and to keep inspiring hope in a divided world.
We are proud to be a part of this community, and we invite each of you to join us as we share All is Bright — a beacon of resilience, unity, and love. Together, let’s bring light to a world that needs it now more than ever.
With unwavering hope and gratitude,
Shawn Cullen
part of a flight attendant duo in last years’ Making Spirit’s Bright holiday show. He’s also jumped in as a volunteer at the HMC Pride Dunk Tank, where he enjoys getting to know our audience and the community more.
