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US Air Force Capt. Anthony Interrante used Grindr and Scruff to raise nearly $60,000 for AIDS/LifeCycle

When this year’s AIDS/LifeCycle ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles kicked off last Sunday, U.S. Air Force Captain Anthony Interrante was among the riders.

He is pedaling 545-mile to raise money to fight HIV.

Interrante managed to amass nearly $60,000 in pledges while working as a critical-care flight nurse stationed in Afghanistan.

How did the openly gay military man do it?

With the help of Grindr and Scruff which, it turns out, can be used for more than hooking up.

‘People told me I should send out emails to friends telling them about my training and asking for their support,’ he tells Huffington Post in a story written by my very good friend Jim Key.

‘But training wasn’t exactly something that comes easy in Bagram. If I had to talk about training, I’d end up having to pay my own way.

‘I would engage with everyone around the world who would send me a “woof” or whatever, eventually telling them that I was going to be riding 545 miles to help end HIV and that I’d appreciate their support. I was amazed by how generous people were.’

Interrante, 34, has been open about his sexuality for the entire eight years he has been in the US military even though Don’t Ask Don’t Tell was not officially repealed until fall 2011.

But he is open about who he is and about using gay hook-up sites like Grindr and Scruff.

‘Why should we be afraid to talk about using them? We’re all sexual creatures,’ he says. ‘It really kills me when guys say they’re “discreet” and won’t show or send their face pic. It’s ridiculous. I’m not just a torso or a pair of legs. We’re all here for the same thing and shouldn’t be afraid to talk about it.’

The ride will end in Los Angeles on Saturday.

FILE UNDER: HIV-AIDS

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One Remark

  1. June 4th, 2015 at 8:10 am
    K. Martinez says:

    Now this is a real hero! He’s helping others less fortunate than himself. And while I don’t use the apps myself, I think his openness and attitude about using Grindr and Scruff is wonderful. This is truly an out and free man.

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