September 9, 2016

The Center Rides From Boston to NYC for Cycle for the Cause

EDGE READ TIME: 4 MIN.

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center asks you to join them in the fight to end AIDS as part of The Center's annual Cycle for the Cause bike ride from Boston to NYC, which takes place September 15-18. You can help by going to cycleforthecause.org to find out more details and to donate.� Please also show your support in the movement to not go BACKWARDS by posting your video on Instagram using #CycleForTheCause.
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"The Center is incredibly grateful to see so many people stand up and join this campaign to prompt a renewed conversation around HIV and AIDS," said Glennda Testone, Executive Director of The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center. "The fight against AIDS isn't over, and it's vital that we continue to fund efforts like The Center's, so that we can ultimately end this epidemic."
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Over the past 22 years, the ride has raised more than $10 million to fund The Center's critical HIV/AIDS programs and services. This year the target is to break the record and raise over $1 million for the first time. While treatments are available to help manage the disease, the 133,000 New Yorkers and 1.2 million Americans living with HIV continue to experience serious adverse health effects and overwhelming stigma. The campaign looks to ensure that we�"Don't�Go�BACKWARDS" in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
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Funds raised from the ride this year can:
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  • Help to�prevent more than 78,400 potential HIV transmissions�in the diverse communities served by The Center.
  • Allow The Center�to�administer as many as 96,000�free, rapid HIV tests, so that everyone has the ability to know their status.
  • Provide referrals to�care for more than�104,000 people who are HIV positive, giving them access to the things they need to stay well.
  • Ensure that The Center can�help hundreds of LGBT youth deal with substance use and get treatment.
  • Increase The Center's outreach to�educate and inspire more than a million young people�to join the fight to end AIDS.
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    For every $100 raised The Center can:

  • Help to prevent 7 potential HIV transmissions by distributing safer sex kits to at-risk LGBT youth and adults.
  • Allow The Center to administer 8 free, rapid HIV tests, ensuring that more people are empowered to know their status.
  • Provide referrals to care for 10 people who are HIV positive to help them lead happy, healthy lives.

    Supporters including Akin Akman, Alexis Bittar, Bob the Drag Queen, Brooke Candy, Bryanboy, Cynthia Erivo, Danielle Bernstein, Edith Windsor, Edward Enninful, Geena Rocero, Jackie Cruz, Kim Chi, Lance Bass, Lindsay Ellingson, Naomi Campbell, Nina Agdal, Nomi Ruiz, Patricia Field, RJ King & Tracy Anderson create special BACKWARDS gallery on Instagram

    As part of the Don't Go Backwards campaign, The Center reached out to some of its prominent supporters to get on their bikes (donated by Martone Cycling) and become part of a video gallery symbolizing the need to go forward in the fight against AIDS. The full gallery can be found on Instagram @lgbtcenternyc

    Speaking on the Backwards gallery, Center supporter Naomi Campbell says "I have seen the world around me devastated by the AIDS epidemic. It is my duty to champion The Center's work to support our youth living with HIV stigma and to halt further transmission. The developments in treatment are huge but we must never be complacent; it's vital we don't go backwards so join me in supporting The Center's work around this."

    "I'm asking people to join me and continue the fight until we can say we've reached the end of HIV and AIDS," said Edie Windsor, marriage equality pioneer and LGBT rights icon. "I have supported The Center's work since it began in 1983, and I saw the AIDS epidemic devastate our community and steal so many of our loved ones. I watched in awe as activists like Larry Kramer, who started this movement, raged against the disease and continue to this day. We cannot go backwards; we must reinvigorate the conversation and keep going until we beat this insidious disease."

    For information or to donate, visit cycleforthecause.org

    by EDGE

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