by scott leonard
There are few moments in pop culture more universally thrilling than the opening notes of George Michael’s “Freedom! ’90.” That punchy beat. That unapologetic swagger. That joyful defiance wrapped in a perfect pop hook. Now imagine that same anthem reimagined by one of the country’s most celebrated LGBTQ+ ensembles — the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus (SDGMC) — for a global Netflix audience.
That’s exactly what happened when SDGMC was invited to perform a powerful new version of “Freedom” for the upcoming Netflix series BOOTS, inspired by the memoir The Pink Marine by Greg Cope White. The show tells the story of a gay teenager who enlists in the Marines and the lessons in courage, identity, and friendship that follow.
And yes, the chorus’s contribution hits every emotional note you’d expect from that premise: pride, power, and a little bit of pop-star sparkle.
The Call That Sounded Too Good to Be True
When Sarah Thompson, SDGMC’s Director of Donor & Audience Engagement, first got the email from Netflix, she wasn’t exactly ready to break into song.
“It was kind of a cryptic message,” she laughs. “I honestly thought it was spam.”
Thankfully, curiosity won out. A little digging later, she realized it was very real — and something special. “I had to sign an NDA and just… wait. For almost a year! I couldn’t tell anyone. Once Netflix got approval from George Michael’s estate, we suddenly had about ten days to pull everything together.”
Ten days to organize, rehearse, and record one of the most iconic anthems of all time? Challenge accepted.
The Sound of “Freedom”
The project called for authenticity and heart, and that’s something SDGMC has in abundance. The group decided early on to feature its members who are military veterans or currently serving.
“That was the most important thing for us,” Thompson says. “This wasn’t just about a great recording — it was about honoring people who’ve served, especially those who had to hide who they were while doing it.”
With Guest Artistic Director Steve Milloy arranging the vocals, the chorus transformed “Freedom! ’90” into something lush, layered, and deeply emotional — a bridge between George Michael’s era of self-liberation and the ongoing fight for authenticity today.
“The Netflix team knew exactly the sound they wanted,” Thompson recalls. “But they also let our members experiment with different tones and energy. Everyone was having so much fun. It was one of those sessions where the air in the room just buzzed.”
When they played back the first take, even the show’s writer and the author of The Pink Marine were moved to tears. “We all just sat there, completely still. Then the second it ended, we all started crying,” Thompson says. “It was magic.
Singing for Every Kind of Freedom
“Freedom” has always been a staple on playlists everywhere; a dance-floor favorite with a message that’s bigger than any one community. But for SDGMC, performing it as part of a global Netflix project gave it new resonance.
“It’s one of those songs that makes you dance,” Thompson says, “but when you really listen to the lyrics, it packs such a punch. It’s about shedding what doesn’t serve you and stepping fully into who you are. That’s something the queer community — and really anyone — can relate to.”
That universality is what makes this collaboration such a perfect match. BOOTS celebrates courage and identity in the face of conformity. Freedom celebrates exactly the same thing, but with a killer hook and a defiant grin.
Pride, Service, and Saying “Thank You”
For Thompson, the project was personal.
“I’m the daughter of a veteran,” she shares. “Being part of something that honors those who serve — especially those who had to hide who they were — meant everything to me.”
She gets emotional talking about it: “It’s already a hard enough job to serve. I can’t imagine doing that while having to hide your true self. So, truly, from the bottom of my heart: thank you. No matter who you are, who you love, or what you believe — if you’ve served to protect our freedom, we appreciate you.
From San Diego to the World
This isn’t SDGMC’s first moment in the spotlight; the chorus has been wowing audiences since 1985, but being part of a Netflix production tied to a pop icon like George Michael is next-level visibility.
It’s also a reminder of why groups like SDGMC matter more than ever. They’re not just performing. They’re preserving queer stories, creating visibility, and using music to build bridges across identities.
And if you ask Thompson what she hopes viewers take away when they hear that chorus kick in, her answer is beautifully simple:
“Joy. Connection. Pride. The reminder that being yourself — truly yourself — is the greatest freedom there is.”
Now Streaming on Netflix
You can now stream Netflix’s BOOTS featuring the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus performing their stirring rendition of George Michael’s “Freedom”! Watch as this powerful anthem underscores a story of courage, identity, and authenticity.
And the chorus isn’t slowing down — catch SDGMC live at upcoming performances, continuing to make magic one note (and one heart) at a time.
For concert schedules and ticket info, visit sdgmc.org