Tags
Life, Death and Hope: The Stories of AIDS/LifeCycle 10
The transition back to the real world after AIDS/LifeCycle is a lot like Burning Man, or any other intense tribal community: People who weren’t there just can’t understand how powerful the experience really is.
My new friend Sandra, from the Gear Truck crew.
I miss waking up in my tent and getting a bleary eyed breakfast with friends. I miss the camaraderie that is felt at every step. I miss the crazy themes of the Rest Stop 4 crew and the amazing morning time energy of the always-on gear truck crews. I miss all that spandex, butts, bulges and calves greeting me at every turn.
Most importantly, I already miss that feeling of passion and dedication to a cause that infused nearly every moment at the AIDS/LifeCycle ride.
And yet, despite my withdrawal, I know that these people have changed my life. I am a convert, and am planning on being there for the next AIDS/LifeCycle.
I have never quite felt this bond before, and I can only hope that us gays can learn to work together more often. Sometimes we lose sight of the fact that we are part of a community, and that we need to support and love each other.
These people inspired me, and here are some of their amazing stories:
Thomas Gay, from Denver, CO:
Mel Embree, from Los Angeles, CA:
Ken “Chicken Lady” Thompson, from
Click through for more inspiring video stories:
