Team ANIMAL partners with Willie Norris to support HIV care through Cycle for the Cause
As LGBTQ+ rights face renewed challenges across the U.S., one team of queer cyclists is turning resistance into movement, literally. Team ANIMAL Cycling, a bold collective of riders rooted in queer joy, visibility, and purpose, is gearing up for Cycle for the Cause 2025, a 275-mile ride from Boston to New York that funds lifesaving HIV services at the NYC LGBT Center.
And this year, they’re doing it in style, with exclusive gear designed by none other than fashion’s favorite queer disruptor, Willie Norris.
From Brooklyn to Boston: Why This Ride Matters More Than Ever
With the beloved AIDS/LifeCycle sunsetted, Cycle for the Cause is poised to become the largest AIDS ride in the country. That puts even more weight, and momentum, behind Team ANIMAL’s efforts.
Riders are pushing themselves across three states, not for sport, but for survival. In 2024, the ride raised over $2 million to support testing, prevention, and care for people living with HIV/AIDS. In 2025, Team ANIMAL hopes to pedal that number even higher.
“It’s a really scary, precarious time for queer people,” says Team Captain Forrest Wu. “This ride is about visibility and connection. You can’t miss a swarm of visibly queer cyclists, some in drag, racing through the countryside. It’s part protest, part pride, all heart.”
Fashion Meets Function: The Willie Norris x VERGE Sport Collab
If you spot a pack of cyclists looking like they just stepped off a runway, well, they kind of did. Team ANIMAL’s jerseys and caps were designed by acclaimed queer fashion artist Willie Norris. Known for fusing activism with avant-garde aesthetics, Norris has worked with brands like Helmut Lang, Away, and G.L.I.T.S., with her designs appearing in Vogue multiple times.
Now, she’s bringing her boundary-pushing vision to the cycling world. Produced in partnership with VERGE Sport, the gear isn’t just a look, it’s a fundraising tool. Fans and allies can purchase the kits, with proceeds going to the cause.
Pedaling With Purpose: The People Behind the Ride
Beneath the fashion and fanfare are deeply personal stories. One standout rider is Chris Brand, who’s taking on the grueling 275 miles alongside his father, a Mormon minister. Their journey is one of healing, love, and proving that allyship can come from unexpected places.
Then there’s the team itself, proudly backed by Brooklyn’s queer nightlife darling, ANIMAL. Since opening in April 2024, the bar has become a vital space for community, creativity, and now, charity. The venue’s name lives on in the cycling team it champions, turning Saturday night dance floor energy into Sunday morning purpose.
More Than a Ride: A Queer Tradition in the Making
Cycle for the Cause isn’t a race, it’s a ride. But for Team ANIMAL, it’s also a rolling celebration of resilience. Expect themed rest stops staffed by glittering volunteers, cheers from the Sirens (a legendary lesbian motorcycle club), and maybe even a cyclist lip-syncing in full glam under a bike helmet.
It’s camp. It’s cardio. It’s community.
And it’s working.
Want to Support?
Learn more about Team ANIMAL’s mission, shop the Willie Norris x VERGE gear, or donate directly at gaycenter.org/cycle.
