Jason Hess has endured the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS on numerous occasions. So too has Brandon McGuire. Others who participate in the annual Ride For AIDS with Hess and McGuire state the same thing, as do participants in any of the annual endurance-training programs offered by the Team To End AIDS ( T2 ) through the AIDS Foundation of Chicago ( AFC ) .
Hess and McGuire are HIV-negative, yet often have to answer questions about their HIV status, simply because their charity of choice is HIV/AIDS related.
"I participate in the Ride For AIDS as a way to give back to the gay community," said Hess, 33, who lives in Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood and participated in his third ride in July 2011. "I am a healthy, active person and use my body as a way to help other people. HIV/AIDS has taken so many people and these rides are a way of making people aware of the fight.
"I am very proud to be able to raise money for people who are in need. The ride is fulfilling and leaves me with a huge sense of accomplishment. There are times on the ride when I end up riding alone and I get lost in my thoughts. I think about my friends who are positive and reminisce about those who have passed. It is fun to support other riders on the 200-mile journey. The ride itself may only be two days, but the preparation, training and fundraising begin months before the ride actually takes place."
Hess is an interior home consultant ( J. Hess Designs ) and also does sales/merchandising for Signoria di Firenze. His first AIDS-related ride was the SMART Ride in 2007 from Miami to Key West. He also danced in Chicago Takes Off last year and represented Dance For Life in this year's Pride Parade, which benefit Test Positive Aware Network and AFC, respectively.
"The negative experiences connected to doing something so amazing leave me baffled," Hess said. "Last year, while fundraising for the ride, I went on a date with a guy who repeatedly asked me why I was participating in the Ride For AIDS and why did I fundraise for AIDS/HIV charities/organizations. He asked the question several times and finally I said, 'Is there another question that you would like to ask me? Are you trying to find out if I am positive?'
"His response [ was ] , 'Well, I just don't understand why you would participate in so many AIDS/HIV events if you weren't [ positive. ] '
"My date was assuming that I was positive due to my participation in such an event. I was mildly disgusted that someone would have this type of mentality in 2010. That's like saying, if I participate in a 5K [ race ] for breast cancer, does that mean I have breast cancer? No! My date was in his mid-20s and every time I spoke about AIDS or HIV, he got really uncomfortable. AIDS/HIV is still around and it is something that we are faced with. I no longer speak with the individual I was on that date with and hopefully he no longer assumes."
Hess also has endured the, "Oh my God, is he positive?" face when he discusses the ride or his fundraising. "The person gets uncomfortable, closed off and the judging face comes out," Hess said. "Mind you, I get this response from a small portion of people I encounter, but it is there nonetheless.
"It is 2011 and I assumed that we were further along as a society."
Hess said he never envisioned the stigma he's endured when he trained for his first ride, and he plans to continue participating in HIV/AIDS organizations and charities.
Hess' motto is clear: Assume less and do more.
"There are many [ reasons ] why I joined the ride last year and why I did it again this year," said McGuire, 40, who lives in Rogers Park after re-locating to the Chicago area from Raleigh, N.C. "First and most important is the cause and the community that it is benefiting. Over the past 17 years, I have kept myself involved with HIV/AIDS non-profits wherever I have lived. When I [ moved ] to Chicago, a friend introduced me to the Test Positive Aware Network ( TPAN ) and the Ride For AIDS. Second, I feel it is something I have to do: stay involved, raise needed money and give back. Finally, one of the best amenities of being part of the Ride [ is ] , the people. Our team alone has 30 riders and crew. Couple that [ amount ] with 500+ other people involved this year and you have one hell of a network of friends. It's a great bonus and even though it is only my second year, I have made friends for life."
McGuire admits he often wonders, on the first day of the two-day ride, why he is participating. But, after a shower, some food and a new pair of clean socks, he becomes reflective on the accomplishment—and the cause.
"Day two is a breeze, in my opinion, knowing what we were a part of, what all the training and fundraising was for," said McGuire, who admits he's had multiple opportunities to "educate" others about why he participates, specifically, why he supports AIDS-related charities.
"The first year I rode I did get a reaction from two different acquaintances that inquired about my HIV status after I told them I was participating in the Ride," said McGuire, an IT consultant. "My first reaction was, 'Does it matter?!' It basically led to a discussion around giving back, and volunteering, and that no matter what the cause, it's about being part of something bigger. I still think they were skeptical about my [ HIV ] status and so be it. To me, your status is irrelevant [ for the ride ] .
" [ Those experiences ] showed me that with all the information that is out there, and the great organizations in Chicago raising money for HIV/AIDS, we still have people to educate and, more importantly, get them involved. It's disheartening to think that there are people who are not involved because of a stigma."
This was McGuire's second eide and he participated on Team Shaine. Hess also was a rider for Team Shaine.
"I can remember in the mid-1990s having a similar experience with someone assuming what my [ HIV ] status was because I volunteered at an HIV/AIDS fundraiser," McGuire said. "I remember saying, 'Seriously, it's the 1990's.' And yet here we are, 2011, and I [ endure ] the same stigma."
McGuire said he plans to ride again next summer and continue supporting HIV/AIDS charities.
"I love the eide. It's an amazing experience and like I said before, the group of people you're involved with, make it outstanding," he said. "Get involved. Meet new people. Help raise awareness and much-needed funds for the Chicago community."
This story is part of the Local Reporting Initiative, supported in part by The Chicago Community Trust.
