Military members join Ride for AIDS - 3930 - Gay Lesbian Bi Trans News

He is a competitive swimmer and has completed numerous long-distance running events, including four marathons, but Le'Mikas Lavender is filled with emotions as he prepares for his first 200-mile bicycle ride: the 10th annual Ride For AIDS Chicago in July.

Lavender is excited, scared, nervous … and sad.

"I am sad because HIV and AIDS—with proper government funding, prevention and education programs—can be eradicated," Lavender said. "We have to come together and put forth every effort in fighting this [disease]. We have the ability to create an HIV/AIDS-free generation; we can make this epidemic something that is only talked about in history books."

So, Lavender and four friends have formed Team GLASS, and joined the 200-plus other riders on this 200-mile, two-day adventure of a lifetime. Team GLASS is military servicemen—all from the U.S. Navy at Great Lakes Naval Station—who are part of the new Gay, Lesbian and Supporting Sailors (GLASS), the first non-academy, general base-sanctioned gay support group on any U.S. base in the world.

This is the first time each Team GLASS member is riding the 200 miles. Last year, Team GLASS volunteered at a lunch-stop during the ride.

"They were truly thankful for us taking time out to help and they wanted to know more about our lives," Lavender said of the 2012 event. "They were interested in knowing how was life in the military for a gay person."

Lavender and others quickly became friends with ride participants and organizers, so jumping aboard the 2013 event as riders, not just volunteers, was the next logical step.

"My goal [for the ride] is to foster new lifetime friendships, finish the race while raising both money and awareness [about HIV/AIDS]," Lavender said. "I want to erase the negative stigma that is related to the disease and show people that this epidemic is something that affects each and every one of us. HIV and AIDS does not discriminate. I want people to open their eyes and be exposed to people who are living with HIV and AIDS—not [people who are] just surviving or getting by with it—because, for years, [being diagnosed with HIV or AIDS] has been portrayed as the worst thing that could ever happen to a person or that being diagnosed meant the end of life as you knew it."

Not so, thanks to medical research—and the countless dollars raised through events such as the Ride for AIDS Chicago.

Lavender is committed to raising $1,000, and Team GLASS has set its 2013 goal at $10,000.

"This [ride] will be challenging, but I know my body and I know my limits. With proper training I know I can physically get through this," Lavender said. "If anything, this will be more of a mental challenge, much like [running a] marathon. There will be times [along the ride] when it will be just me, the bike and the road. At the end of the day, it's not about me—every breath I take, every mile of the 200, will be for the betterment of those who are living with HIV and AIDS."

Lavender, like all five Team GLASS members, knows a friend who is HIV-positive or who has AIDS.

"I have a handful of personal best friends who are HIV-positive, and [I know] others who also are HIV-positive. The [health] battles that they have fought amazes and inspire me," Lavender said.

Brian Ruiz was pushed to pedal 200 miles by, among others, an HIV-positive friend who had done the ride numerous times—and the first time he completed the ride, he also was passing kidney stones.

"Whatever difficulty I face [during the ride], I know I will overcome it because there's no way it's nearly as bad as doing the ride for AIDS while passing kidney stones," Ruiz said. "I remember growing up hearing about HIV/AIDS, but it never truly was a reality to me until I came to Chicago and helped out with the Ride for AIDS last year. These [were] amazing, healthy people who were physically accomplishing feats that I never thought I could do, and doing it while being HIV-positive. That was truly an eye-opening experience.

"We hear about [HIV/AIDS] growing up, but we aren't necessarily listening. This [ride] helps bring awareness about HIV/AIDS to people of all walks of life. It spreads the word that it is a very real disease, but that people are living with it every day and continue to shine brighter than ever thought possible. They fight the battle every day of their lives and succeed. It is our generation's turn to fight back against the misconceptions of this disease and to help stop it."

To that, Team GLASS has set a mission statement—Mission Possible: Making HIV/AIDS a Thing of the Past.

"We did this as a means to reach out to our generation and to provide a clear goal as to what we should be striving for," Ruiz said. "It is absolutely possible to make HIV/AIDS something for the history books, so nothing should be holding us back. The Ride for AIDS Chicago provides a path for us to fight the good fight while reaching out to our peers."

Jesus Arteaga is motivated for the ride by others who have been active in the battle to end HIV/AIDS.

"I have had a few friends running marathons and fundraising thousands of dollars in the fight against AIDS. I was tired of sitting on the sideline doing nothing; I am ready to become more proactive in my community and raise awareness [about] HIV/AIDS and hopefully help find a cure," Arteaga said. "I definitely am nervous for the ride, but also excited for the challenge. When I think about [cycling] 200 miles, I think about how much I would hate driving that far [in a car], let alone doing it on a bike. This will probably be the biggest physical challenge I have ever attempted."

That's where Arteaga's military background will play a part.

"One thing I have gained from the military is learning how to push my body beyond its limitations and mental determination," Arteaga said. "Training for the ride will bring me back into top physical shape, which is important in the military. It also will set a good example for junior sailors."

For Ariel Magana, the ride is personal.

"I am thrilled to be among those individuals who have been through thick and thin living with HIV/AIDS, and with those who help support them," Magana said. "The ride will help me de-stress as I work for my goal and get in better shape than I am now. It will help me build character and more camaraderie among my peers at work."

Richard S. Dumbrique said completing the ride will show him "that I can do anything I put my mind to."

"One thing the military has taught me is that, in order to succeed, you need to work as a team and ask for help when you need it," Dumbrique said. "My friends and teammates doing the ride with me have strengthens that we all use together to complete the ride and overcome our weaknesses."

Dumbrique was stationed in Italy a few years ago and his best friend learned he was HIV-positive. Dumbrique was the first person he told.

"Ever since then, I look at the disease different," Dumbrique said. "I came to the realization that it is real, and while being there for him to vent or to celebrate certain parts of his life, I have learned that [the disease] is not a death-sentence anymore. He is happy and living. Now with my help doing this ride, I am doing my part to make things just that much better for people living with HIV."

Lavender, who also will participate later this year in the Chicago Triathlon and the Chicago Marathon, is certainly proud of his multitude of uniforms.

"I have the courage to stand tall, loud and proud, and announce to the world that I stand side by side with those affected by HIV and AIDS, in their mission to fight this [disease,]" Lavender said. "I have the courage to face any adversity that many come my way, even if at times I am standing alone. I am committed to run, swim, and cycle and educate for the rest of my life. I am committed to spreading the message, on and off duty, to never give up, to never look back and to know that there are many who have gone before me and I cannot let their fight be in vain. I am committed to win.

"If I can ride 200 miles in two days, what else can I do? There are no challenges that I cannot face. This ride will add another group of people to the list of reasons why I am in the Navy. I work in Navy Medicine and this is just an extension of the many oaths I have taken in defending freedom, protecting one's health and the rights that comes with it."

Lavender added, "The uniform [of the U.S. Navy] is a symbol of the defense of freedom, of strength, and of the amazing concept of the United States of America, and we want people to know that the Gay and Lesbian Sailors of the present and past aided in those values—and we will continue to defend this nation on national and social issues, such as HIV and AIDS."

Who's Who in Team GLASS:

Le'Mikas Lavender

Age: 33

Lives in: Rogers Park

Job title: Leading petty officer, general surgery clinic

Military rank: E5

Background: Born in Alabama, grew up in Syracuse, N.Y., has lived in Chicago for a little more than a year

Brian Ruiz

Age: 25

Lives in: Rogers Park

Job title: Hospital corpsman 3rd class petty officer

Military rank: HM3/E-4