Wright, Douglas

Doug was a staff member of the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus, joining in February, 1982. The Chorus refers to these members who are no longer able with the group as members of the "Fifth Section." They are listed Chorus programs and on the group's website: https://www.sfgmc.org/about_fifth.shtml

Douglas Alan Wright (b. 07-08-47 in Ypsilanti, MI, d. 01-31-86 in San Francisco), was the beloved spouse of San Francisco native, Seán Martinfield, a professional singer and vocal coach, also high tenor with the SF Gay Mens Chorus (SFGMC) during their historic 1981 cross country tour. Douglas founded the Gay Press Association in 1977 and became the Editor of OUT Magazine, a popular weekly that served the LGBT community through 1982. Douglas and Seán met on Thursday, 06-18-81 following the Chorus’ appearance at the JFK Kennedy Center. Afterwards, at the reception at DC’s most popular bar, The Eagle, Douglas arranged to interview Seán – the red-headed tenor who stepped forward to sing Jeanette MacDonald’s coloratura obligato during the encore, “San Francisco”. It was love at first sight. Three weeks later, Seán moved to DC and in late November their union was celebrated through the Metropolitan Community Church. The couple relocated to San Francisco in January 1982. Douglas continued to collaborate with DC’s popular physician Dr. Caesar Caceras on a series of articles positing that AIDS was in fact a virus and not a vindictive cancer targeting Gay men. Douglas died 01-31-86 following three bouts of pneumocystis pneumonia and an attack of a rare aviary tuberculosis. Douglas’ remains were scattered in the hills at Inspiration Point, Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe. Now, 35 years later and with one year into the Corona Virus pandemic, my spirit rejoices that Douglas and I followed our hearts’ first response.