Mountains Aids Foundation

It was April of 1995. Nine men, all HIV positive or with symptomatic AIDS, had come to a retreat at serene Zaca Lake in the Santa Ynez Mountains north of Santa Barbara. They sought inner peace, solace--and acceptance of their premature deaths, which seemed inevitable. Ignorance about AIDS, and AIDS hysteria, were widespread, and it had not been easy to find a place that would welcome these men.

It was April of 1995. Nine men, all HIV positive or with symptomatic AIDS, had come to a retreat at serene Zaca Lake in the Santa Ynez Mountains north of Santa Barbara. They sought inner peace, solace--and acceptance of their premature deaths, which seemed inevitable. Ignorance about AIDS, and AIDS hysteria, were widespread, and it had not been easy to find a place that would welcome these men.

A Santa Monica nonprofit agency that offers social services to AIDS patients is celebrating its move to larger, more comfortable quarters. With the Santa Monica AIDS Project's move last week to a 2,300-square-foot office, clients can be interviewed in private rooms and conduct evening supports groups in a lounge. Hywel Sims, executive director of the 4-year-old agency, said new medicines are allowing some clients to live longer, healthier lives.

They sat in a circle on the floor, nine men, strangers for the most part, but strangers who share a tragic bond. All are gay men, either HIV-positive or with symptomatic AIDS. Pulling up a floor mat, Steve Hayes joked, somewhat uneasily, "This reminds me of Romper Room." They'd taken off their shoes, but had not yet let down their guard. Only hours earlier, they'd come together at this peaceful place for a retreat--four days of reflection and spiritual healing. They would laugh, cry, embrace.