Temperatures were a bit on the warm side Sunday morning, but outside of that, a beautiful day greeted the participants of the 2009  Las Vegas AIDS Walk, which has been hosted for over 18 years by the Aid For AIDS of Nevada (AFAN) organization. Initially, the festive mood was somewhat reminiscent of a reunion as longtime friends mingled and reconnected with one another prior to the actual start of the walk. In addition to veteran walkers, there were many newer attendees, some of whom were attracted to the event by online social networking groups such as Meetup, Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace. Still others were there as part of real world-based groups such as the Las Vegas LGBT Community Center, the Empire of Chivalry and Steel (an organization that promotes the culture and traditions of the Middle Ages through historical re-enactments), and numerous employer sponsored teams (the multitude of red shirts, signifying the Target corporate team, especially stood out), among many others.

 

Soon everyone was gathering at the starting line, which was marked by multi-colored balloons forming a rainbow at the entrance of the parking lot serving as the staging area. Promptly at 10:30AM the 2009 AIDS Walk was under way. In no time at all, strangers, friends, and acquaintances had melded into a moving, pulsing sea of humanity progressing through downtown Las Vegas, much as the metaphorical tide of  cultural progression showing signs of a possible end to long-standing hurdles to LGBT equality has recently washed over the country. Not unlike how the pace of those barriers falling began with just a couple states allowing same sex couples rights equal to heterosexual couples, the AIDS Walk started slow with a few steps at a time and the occasional backward step. However, in an echo of recent civil rights victories for an ever expanding group of gay communities, the crowd was soon moving freely toward their goal as it snaked  past the many landmarks of Las Vegas. Along the way, the two mile route was intermittently punctuated by strategically placed entertainers ranging from high school marching bands and dance squads to local rock bands and performance artists.

 

In general, the mood was one of joyful solidarity between the many walkers, united for a common cause and unburdened by past hatreds and discriminations. Individuals and businesses that not too long ago would have been reluctant to even support something associated with the gay community proudly stood alongside openly gay couples and drag queens. Furthermore, the spectators, who in past years might have heckled or even threatened participants, offered cheers and encouragement instead. The dream of true equality for all regardless of race, gender, and of course sexuality, was alive and well in Las Vegas this fine sunny day. Above all else there, was an infectious feeling of camaraderie amongst participants whether gay, straight, trans-gendered, or some combination of the three, all of whom had come together to promote awareness of AIDS and generate donations toward funding the research for a cure for the disease that at one time ravaged the gay community.

 

Ultimately, $401,000 was raised by those who participated in the 2009 Las Vegas AIDS Walk. AFAN, the organization that has served as long-time host for the local AIDS Walks, provides support and advocacy for adults and children living with and affected by HIV/AIDS in southern Nevada. AFAN also works to reduce HIV infection through prevention and education, as well as to eliminate fear, prejudice, and the stigma associated with the disease.