Radical inclusion means everybody. The feeling of welcome to our community can come from so many places, a conversation with a perfect stranger, dancing until dawn, wandering the lake with no need to look at a watch. These freeing and inclusive moments are transformative and keep us coming back year after year – but damn if there aren’t a lot of hurdles in the way.  Many people who might love to have exactly that experience don’t come because they don’t think our Burn is for them, including people of color.  Don’t take it from me when you can watch this 10-minute documentary about being Black at Burning Man.

Obstacles to inclusion do not just affect racial equality. Burners who have additional needs due to disability, illness, and injury need additional care to enjoy Lakes of Fire. Our trans and other LGBTQIA+ siblings need us now, more than ever, to take action toward their inclusion in order to believe our event takes their safety seriously.

This year, Great Lakes Experimental Arts wants to change that with R.I.D.E., the Radical Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (R.I.D.E.) initiative originated at Burning Man to foster a more inclusive and equitable culture within the global Burning Man community. The initiative seeks to identify and address barriers to participation, promote diverse voices and perspectives, and ensure that the Ten Principles, particularly Radical Inclusion, are upheld.

GLEA’s version of R.I.D.E. is just getting started.  Some folks who know the ins and outs of producing Lakes of Fire will be involved, and can follow through on applying R.I.D.E. principles to the policy half of the work.  But what we truly need is community leadership – voices with passion, and people with experience, who can help us make way and invite more of our default world community into the Burn.

Please email us at ride@lakesoffire.org to express your interest and get involved. We’ll begin holding regular meetings in February 2025.  We’ve got work to do – let’s R.I.D.E.!