Just wanted to take some time and update you about my experience during the very first Body & Soul Retreat by Seattle Black Pride. It was a success! Everyone I spoke with who attended shared the same feelings. To start off, the location was beautiful. The rooms were full studio apartments, with dishes and all the fixings. It really was a retreat vacation. The staff was more than accommodating, making for a better experience.

Over the weekend, a group of Gay Men of Color came together to look closer at our relationships, culture, the black gay community, and most importantly, our behaviors and their effects on our health. To watch this dynamic group of Black Gay Men of Color move through these important issues affecting our community was an empowering process in itself.

At the Body and Soul Retreat, I was one of thirteen to witness a shift in individual commitments to self-efficacy and dedication towards understanding our behaviors concerning issues that affect our health; like HIV & AIDS. As we know, this is an important issue that we Black Gay Men face in the world.

It is still important today that we all stay aware of the consequences of ignorance with regards to HIV & AIDS. Stereotypes are very important and hold much unhealthy power. One of the many reasons I think Body & Soul was a success is because addressing these stereotypes and issues are the beginning of the process which needs to happen.

I am talking about our own individual walls and personal boundaries, in which we sometimes refuse—for whatever reasons—to stretch and grow. Man, it was just mind-blowing to experience a sort of high that continues to push me forward to learn and share more with my community. I can imagine what the others have to say about their experience. Some of the other participants have spoken with me about the move in conscientiousness they have towards making healthier decisions around risky behavior and other aspects of their lives—and the power that they have gained.

The retreat was very relaxed—and relaxing—and everyone seemed to feel like they were being pampered, body and soul. That is why Body & Soul is such an appropriate name. Yes! It was great.

I would like to challenge the community to challenge themselves by signing up or speaking with me about an upcoming Body & Soul Retreat. If you've been looking for a change, email me or give me a call. I have some options for you.

With Love,
Heath T. Bouldin
Body & Soul co-facilitator. (206) 324-1520 ext. 237
heathb@seattleblackpride.org