Two AIDS Groups Bow Out of California AIDSRide After Negotiations With Event Producer Fail

The L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation announced on Thursday that they will no longer participate in the California AIDSRide but plan to create a new cycling event to raise money for HIV/AIDS services next year, the Los Angeles Times reports. After an eight-year affiliation with the annual ride, the two groups decided not to renew their contract with event producer Pallotta TeamWorks after several months of negotiations failed. Gwenn Baldwin, executive director of the Gay and Lesbian Center, cited concerns with Pallotta's marketing strategies, budget overruns during the 2001 event, the 2002 budget and the percentage of proceeds given to charity. Previously, at least 60% of proceeds went to the HIV/AIDS groups, but last year they only received 50%. Pallotta Senior Vice President Norm Bowling said that the lower percentage was the result of less participation and noted that the California AIDSRide had raised nearly $6 million for the two groups last year and more than $40 million for them since the event's beginning in 1994. The two agencies plan to create a new fundraiser called AIDS/LifeCycle, but have not yet released event details (Los Angeles Times, 10/12).