Now Reading
HEINZESIGHT: Riding in Solidarity

HEINZESIGHT: Riding in Solidarity

It was a foggy Sunday morning in San Francisco as I set out on a seven-day adventure that combined a 545-mile bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles and meeting hundreds of new people focused on showing solidarity and bringing awareness to HIV/AIDS and celebrating the lives of those affected by it.  For me it brought up feelings of sadness, pride, and love mixed with personal self-doubt and wondering if I had the tenacity to get through this. It was an honor to be able to represent Colorado in this important event. Team Colorado brought 17 riders and 13 roadies to ALC and were proudly sponsored by Wag N’ Wash and Mile High Behavioral Healthcare’s gay men’s wellness initiative, The Denver Element.

This experience afforded me many new memories and challenged me in ways I did not expect.  I went 40 miles per hour down a few crazy steep hills, struggled to get up challenging inclines, and had to use self-talk to convince myself to keep pushing my body when I wanted to throw up my hands and give up.  I fought off leg cramps while dealing with physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion. We creeped up the most formidable hill called Quadbuster and rode though conditions including freezing rain and 106-degree heat. I wore a red dress while climbing up three large hills and was cheered on by individuals, families, and businesses as we rode through their small towns.  We joined a huge group on a beach for a candlelight vigil to think about all of those affected by HIV.

Many individuals used this ride to honor their own experiences with HIV or to memorialize other loved ones who struggled with it.  Many of us focused on thinking about the thousands of people who have died from complications from HIV, but also those living with and thriving in spite of it.  This experience empowered and strengthened the resolve of many people to go back to their communities and continue making a difference.

In 1994 when this ride initially began, the majority of the participants were HIV-positive people that had not yet benefited from the amazing medication treatments that would be coming.   They used this event to bring awareness and visibility to issues regarding HIV, as well as to show their personal strength and passion to the larger society.

They refused to simply roll over and die.  They were fighting for funding, support, recognition, and to represent those who were struggling to live with HIV.

Over many years, the event has grown and this year raised over $14 million dollars for HIV-related purposes.  Although this is a huge fundraiser for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the Los Angeles LGBT Center, the benefits gained through the efforts from these organizations has a worldwide impact. Their research, outreach methods, community support, and program development are at the forefront of leading the way toward a world with no new HIV infections.  Their efforts inspire people to be innovative and effective with HIV programming in their own cities.

When situations became rough during the ride, I kept focusing on faces of people that I love who are living with HIV.  I thought about how many times I supported friends through their initial diagnosis, told someone that their HIV test came back positive, or worked with people personally or professionally to aid them in gaining knowledge, challenging stigma, and developing more fulfilling lives regardless of their HIV status.  I rode in recognition of the people who are affected by HIV that have the strength to go on daily and live their lives proudly and powerfully.

AIDS/LifeCycle 2016 has truly been a life changing event for me and I return to Colorado even more dedicated, passionate, and resolved to continue making a difference in our community.  This has been the single most unique, difficult, and fulfilling experience of my life.  It was truly life changing.

What's Your Reaction?
Excited
0
Happy
0
In Love
0
Not Sure
0
Silly
0
Scroll To Top