by Dan Woog - SGN Contributing Writer

These days, if you can run, you can raise funds. Every weekend, it seems, there are marathons to cure breast cancer, build schools in impoverished African villages, and do just about every other good deed imaginable. Fundraising races are often impressive affairs, with corporate sponsors, water stations, prizes, and gushing publicity.

When Chris Mosier decided to run to raise money, though, he did it alone. The decision seemed apt. He was running to support homeless LGBT teenagers, and few populations are as lonely as that.

Chris's run earlier this month - 35.6 miles, a loop around the entire perimeter of Manhattan - benefited the Ali Forney Center. A shelter and drop-in facility offering food, showers, clothing, medical care, and mental health and substance abuse services to thousands of youngsters annually, it was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy. Floodwaters from the Hudson River demolished computers, office equipment, refrigerators, and food.

A HEART FOR LGBT TEENS
Chris was never homeless himself. But the plight of teenagers cast out of their families and left to battle for survival, while trying to figure out who they are and where they fit into the world, resonated deeply.

As a girl growing up near Chicago, she played team sports. She always knew on some level she did not fit society's expectations of gender, but she did not have the vocabulary to express what she felt.

Even in college, Chris says, 'I didn't know about the LGBT community. I was oblivious to it, and to any kind of self-awareness.'

About 10 years ago though, Chris finally met some Transgender people. Gradually, that self-awareness grew.

Chris moved to New York City and began a career in higher education. Identifying as 'Queer,' he played on men's softball teams.

CONCERNS PERSISTED
But Chris also ran and bicycled on teams and in events as a female. 'I delayed my transition because of sports,' Chris says. 'I did well as a woman, and wondered how competing as a man would affect things. I wear Spandex. I'm in very body-conscious sports. Being an athlete was an important part of my identity, and I had a lot of questions.'

Those worries proved groundless. Chris was quickly accepted both during and after his transition. He's spent the last five years competing in road races and triathlons, and serves as a coach and ambassador for the Empire Triathlon Club and Team Aquaphor.

Like many members of New York's LGBT community, Chris had heard of the Ali Forney Center. As he learned of its devastation during the hurricane, and saw other destruction while running in local parks, he vowed to help.

As vital as its work is, Ali Forney is only a drop in the bucket. There are about 3,800 homeless youth in New York, Chris says, and 40% of them are LGBT. The center provides only 250 beds. Still, it's something.

RAISING AWARENESS
'I don't have the money to get Ali Forney back on its feet myself. But I could raise a little bit,' Chris says. 'And if I raised awareness, too, that might lead to something.'

He chose a date, December 1, and spent three weeks spreading the word via social media. Donors could contribute any amount - suggestions included $32 (a dollar for every mile he figured he'd run), $50 (a dollar for every kilometer), or whatever they chose to give. He also gathered prizes to raffle off to contributors.

Chris started and finished at the United Nations. And he started and finished alone.

'A lot of teammates and friends offered to join,' he notes. 'But it was important for me to do this by myself.'

He wore no headphones - he just ran and reflected. At one point he stopped at the Staten Island Ferry Terminal to warm his hands. 'I realized that if I were homeless I couldn't just do that,' he says. 'I'd have to really think about things like where I could use the bathroom.' He carried a bit of food, but dropped some along the way. 'If I were homeless, losing that food would have meant a lot more.'

Chris' run took 5 hours and 18 minutes. He felt pretty good until Mile 25. At Mile 30, he really started to hit the wall. But like homeless youth with no other options, he kept going.

When he finished, there was no time for a big celebration. He had an hour to shower and get to his job.

'THIS ISN'T ABOUT ME'
The Ali Forney Center staff had no idea who Chris was, and some of them still might not. That's not the point, he says. 'This isn't about me. It's about getting the word out, and helping an organization that helps kids who need help.'

Chris is still getting the word out about the center, and donations are still needed. Go to www.aliforneycenter.org and give what you can.

Dan Woog is a journalist, educator, soccer coach, and Gay activist. His latest book is We Kick Balls: True Stories from the Youth Soccer Wars. He can be reached at OutField@qsyndicate.com.

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