The NYC LGBT Community Center Revamps Cycle for the Cause Amid Federal Funding Cuts and Growing Needs Within the LGBTQ+ Community

 

A woman rides a bike. She's wearing a cycling jersey with red AIDS ribbons, black biker shorts, googles and a red furry wig over her helmet. Another rider can be seen in the background

Riders during Cycle for the Cause 2025. Photo Credit: Angelica Dixon / Divided Line

NEW YORK — October 16, 2025 — Today, The NYC LGBT Community Center (The Center) announced changes to Cycle for the Cause, its annual three-day bike ride, which has historically  raised millions of dollars to support The Center’s HIV & AIDS support services. The ride features a new route, format, and mission, as well as a new visual brand. 

Starting in 2026, the Cycle for the Cause route will begin and end in New York City, with stops in Connecticut. This change eliminates the travel day when riders were previously bused to Massachusetts before starting the three-day bike ride to The Center’s historic West Village location.

The ride will still offer three full days of cycling, giving riders the opportunity to bike up to 200 miles, with 50, 62, and 100-mile options on the second day of the ride. Cycle for the Cause averages 350 riders and crew members fundraising among their friends, family, and coworkers. With these changes, The Center hopes to increase participation by 25%  

“We’re making it easier to be part of the ride,” Renee Colombo, Chief Development & Communications Officer at The Center said. “This is our largest fundraiser and with attacks on our community increasing everyday, we need everyone to join us in supporting the lifesaving programs, services, and spaces that we provide.”The Center also also announced that the ride’s mission and fundraising efforts are expanding to support all of its essential programs and services including:

  • HIV & AIDS prevention and care 
  • Mental health services providing affirming, culturally competent therapy and support for adults and youth as young as 13
  • Youth programs offering safe spaces, leadership development, and direct services for LGBTQ+ youth and their families
  • Substance use recovery and prevention programs delivering comprehensive, community-centered treatment and support
  • Arts and Cultural programming that creates opportunities for LGBTQ+ people to build community, experience joy, and heal
  • Community organizing and advocacy through statewide coalitions protecting and advancing LGBTQ+ rights

“When we were founded in 1983, HIV & AIDS was the biggest threat to the LGBTQ+ community. Since then we’ve been committed to ending the disease through prevention, counseling, testing and ongoing care,” explained Dr. Carla Smith, CEO of The Center. “Now, in response to new threats, we’re expanding the ride’s impact to reach beyond HIV & AIDS to supporting the programs and services that thousands of LGBTQ+ New Yorkers depend on.”

Cycle for the Cause 2026 will be held from Friday, Sept. 25–Sunday, Sept. 27. More than 250 people have pre-registered for the 2026 ride.

About The Center

Established in 1983 as a result of the AIDS crisis, New York City’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center has grown and evolved over the last four decades, creating and delivering services that empower people to lead healthy, successful lives. We currently operate in-person and virtually, providing recovery and wellness programs, economic advancement initiatives, family and youth support, advocacy, arts and cultural events, and space for community organizing and connection. For more information, please visit gaycenter.org. 

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