PRIDE GUIDE 1995 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE 5

Coast-to-coast AIDS cyclist pedals through Cleveland

AIDS activist Jim Petretta will be cycling though Cleveland during Pride Week as part of his U.S. AIDS 5000 "Pride Ride" tour. The "Pride Ride" is the first national bicycle journey in support of AIDS awareness. Petretta, of Buffalo, N.Y., began US AIDS 5,000 on the steps of Buffalo's city hall on May 31. It is the first known 5,000 mile bicycle journey by a person living with AIDS. With a sendoff by Buffalo's Mayor Masiello and State Representative Sam Hoyt, Petretta was joined by several bikers from western New York who conducted a "One

'I have organized this journey to send out the message that people with AIDS can and should be productive with their lives'

Day-Fun Day" ride to Rochester, N.Y. to raise pledges for local AIDS causes, and to support Petretta on his first day of his journey. Represented in the biking team are Democrats and Republicans; professionals and blue collar workers; seniors and students; men and women of a variety of ethnic and religious backgrounds; gays and straights; and persons living with HIV/AIDS or other disabilities.

"I have organized this journey to send out the message that people with AIDS can and should be productive with their lives," said Petretta, 44, who was diagnosed with AIDS several months ago.

Petretta is veteran who has received numerous awards including the Meritorious Service Medal. He is a father of three chil-

dren and grandfather of three more, and he has been a volunteer and activist throughout his life.

While working as a manager for a major retailer in January of 1994, Petretta was placed on involuntary leave of absence indefinitely after being hospitalized with an AIDSrelated illness. Unable to retain an attorney, he filed his own suit against the defendant and settled out of court. Petretta accepted an hourly position with Benedict House, a Buffalo home for people with AIDS, while beginning his campaign for US ADIS 5000. With almost no cash resources available to people with AIDS in

western New York, Cross-country cyclist Jim Petretta

Petretta has pledged

to generate grant money for needy per-

son with AIDS through existing agencies, so they won't be forced to face the same financial devastation he has.

With the help of sponsors and several volunteers, Petretta has mapped out a fundraising bike tour starting in Buffalo, taking him through New York state to Albany, and back across the country to Seattle,

5.000

AIDS

Washington. He will end his trip in San Diego, California in August.

Petretta will stop in fifty cities during his three month journey to talk about AIDS. Cyclists in each city will join him for a short part of his journey. He plans an appearance on the Oprah Winfrey show while he is in Chicago. On June 18 and 19, during Pride Week,

Petretta will be in Cleveland. The AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland will be hosting the cyclist while he is town. A luncheon, with Petretta as the guest of honor, will be held on Monday, June 19.

Those interested in meeting or cycling with Jim Petretta can contact the director of development at the Taskforce at 216-621-0766.

Cleveland Sunday, July 16, 1995 1:00 to 10:00 p.m. Erieside Ave.

Between E. 9th & W. 3rd (Behind Cleveland Browns Stadium)

Carnival

Dancin' In The Streets 1995

$8 Donation

D.J. Sue Marabito from N.Y.C. Non-Stop Dancin / Live Bands

Benefitting the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland For AIDS prevention, education & client services

For more information call

(216) 621-0766