The Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles was under the direction of Christopher Verdugo from 2011 until September 9, 2016 when Verdugo decided to step down as director in search of new opportunities. Verdugo was a member of the choir for ten years, beginning as a choral member and later transitioning to his executive role in 2011. Under his leadership the chorus grew to 250 members. During his time with GMCLA, Verdugo drew inspiration from the It Gets Better project, a nonprofit organization founded by Dan Savage formed in response to the alarming rise of LGBT suicides among teenagers in the United States, to launch a national tour partnered with Speak Theater Arts. The main goal of the It Gets Better tour is, with the use of song and storytelling, to tackle a variety of issues that affect LGBT folk throughout their lives. The cast of the shows consists of eight members of the GMCLA who tour around the country. The cast partners up local schools and community members to deliver relatable content to youth at risk of bullying and their potential allies. The final show aims to shed light on the lives of LGBT peoples through musical performance.