It’s All in the Joy!

In 2018, my family and I participated in our first 165-mile bike ride from Miami to Key West. My son Lucas rode his bike alongside our team, The Prideliners. He was only 15 at the time and had recently come out. This ride wasn’t just about supporting Pridelines and its mission—it was a moment for Lucas to experience the power of community, a space where love, inclusion, and acceptance reign supreme.

As he pedaled alongside people who embodied a future where love is love, no matter who you are, I saw him shine. His happiness with each mile, and the light that radiated from him when he crossed the finish line, warmed my heart in a way I’ll never forget.

But life isn’t always filled with joy. The following year, Lucas started a new school and was confronted with bullying. That bright light I had witnessed began to flicker. The joy from that ride gave way to darkness, and my son found himself battling mental health challenges. He began to self-harm, attempted suicide, and was hospitalized. As a mother, it was the most painful and helpless experience I’ve ever endured. All I wanted was to protect him from the cruelty of the world. I wanted to shield him, take on his pain, and storm his school to demand the world treat my son with the love he deserved.

This is why events like The Joy Ride matter so deeply. Pridelines provides critical mental health services to LGBTQ+ youth and families like mine. The funds raised through The Joy Ride allow us to offer counseling, group therapy, and resources that help young people navigate life’s most challenging moments. Access to mental health support isn’t just important—it’s life-saving.

Through the tireless work of therapists, group counseling, and family support, Lucas began to heal. Today, he is a healthy, proud, and thriving young man, one who has rediscovered his joy and resilience.

And almost two years after his darkest moments, he picked up his bike once more. This time, he joined his father for the 165-mile ride to Key West. As I waited at the finish line, watching for him, my heart was full of nerves and hope. And then I saw him—pedaling strong, the same light shining in his eyes, maybe even brighter than before. The community that had once held him through joy now carried him through healing. It was a powerful reminder that love and acceptance are not just words but lifelines.

This ride is more than just a fundraiser—it’s a celebration of resilience, love, and joy. It’s about showing up for each other, creating spaces where no one feels alone, and proving that our community’s strength lies in the joy we share.

So, as we gear up for this year’s Joy Ride, I invite you to join us. Whether you ride, donate, or cheer us on from afar, know that you are making a difference. You are helping Pridelines continue its mission to provide the mental health services that saved my son’s life—and so many others like him.

Let’s ride for joy. Let’s ride for community. Let’s ride for love.

REGISTER TO RIDE

Board Chair

Veronica Barrios-Garcia