"The Manifest Love weekend was the warmest I've felt all winter. It gave me an opportunity to be creative and involved in a thoughtful process of designing our gay men's community instead of feeling stuck with one that doesn't always reach its potential. Well worth the time and energy. I made new friends and strengthened my relationship with men I have known for years. I can't wait for the next one!" - Wayne, Providence

"This gathering helped me get more comfortable about walking into a room--now I try to walk in with a smile and an eagerness to be open to whoever I'll meet there--and I'm always surprised by how well other people respond to that openness." -Bill, Providence

"This work seems so simple, but incredibly profound. Mostly, I haven't felt such a sense of optimism for us in a very long time." - Edward, Chicago

I've just returned from the Chicago Manifest Love weekend and I'm excited about its potential for the community. I joined a room of 18 strangers for a potluck dinner on Friday night and left the weekend with 18 new friends whom I will continue to keep in touch with.

We were a real cross section of the gay community -- a couple of Latino men, two African Americans, young and old, people in recovery and not. All of us shared an interest in our spiritual journey. We cried together, laughed a lot, and all of us experienced a breakthrough in understanding how to connect in a more positive way with others. The weekend does an excellent job of translating ideas of nuturing and creating family into actionable steps.

I'm eager to introduce my friends to this program. I believe there is a real hunger among us for stronger and more authentic connections with others as gay men, and this may very well be the answer. I believe this program has the potential to be the next Stonewall in the gay community's history. If this sounds like hyperbole, I invite you to experience it for yourself and to draw your own conclusions. -- Joe M., Los Angeles

"Hits the nail on the head with just the right combo of gentleness and authoritative attention to every detail. I can't speak highly enough of the whole experience. Manifest Love has moved me to a new level of openness, and for that I am very grateful. -Adam, Boston

"Thanks for bringing Manifest Love to us. I went to the bathhouse last night and found myself wandering through near-naked throngs and thinking “Manifest Love, Manifest Love”. We are powerful beyond our wildest imaginings – and better than what we settle for. So thanks again for bringing this message to us.” Love, Richard R.

"The workshoph helped me clarify some of my barriers to connecting with other men on a meaningful emotional level. It helped me resolve to interact with men in a more caring and confident way." - Tim

"This retreat was an extraordinary, powerful, and life-changing experience for me. I know this incredible "high" won't last forever, but I plan to enjoy and savor every second of it while it does. This retreat was incredibly powerful for me on so many levels. Perhaps first and foremost for me was the amazing sense of hope and exhilaration engendered by experiencing the very real possibilities that exist for true connection, honesty, warmth, affection, and humor between open-hearted human beings. I tend to fall all too easily into cynicism, isolation, and withdrawal, and it was genuinely inspiring for me to witness countless examples of the honesty, compassion, and connection that we are indeed capable of. - Troy G., San Francisco

"I was proud to be part of this. My own heart was touched, over and over, throughout the weekend. Thanks to you for providing a vision, a focus, an energy, a passion that inspired and sustained our work. - Steve M., East Bay

"Thanks again for helping us to create such a wonderful and loving environment for the retreat. What you are doing strikes a DEEP chord with many men, and it's something I've discussed with friends. We knew we couldn't be the only ones discussing this, and here you are showing us just how many of us stand together. Many of us have had the same feelings, it's just that no one has ever brought it out into an open forum. What I'm trying to say is thanks for being such a top. The discussion of concrete ideas and options for improving the way we treat each other is a very important one for our community.- Peter M, San Francisco

"My great appreciation for the retreat this weekend. Wow....I'm am still riding such a wonderful high...it's like I can go out and conquer the world. - Rodney S, Sacramento

"I truly believe that Manifest Love can have as great an impact on our culture as the Mattachine Society did in the 50's and the Liberation Front did in the 70's. I am delighted that I found you and want to contribute in any way I can. You've stirred up passion and commitment I haven't felt in many years." Ankha, Minneapolis "It's been a while since I felt a real connection to any kind of gay community. It's great to be regaining that connection. Your presentation broadened and deepened my own thoughts and feeling about the issues of ownership, responsibility, creativity, strength, and hope within the gay community. This movement is radical and daring and yet truly in line with our history as a unique group of people.' Jed, Boston

"Thank you for doing this work -- it is SO IMPORTANT. The intentional shaping of a culture in full awareness of the survival-based genesis of it's evolution is absolutely extraordinary. God love you for it. God help us make it real. I'm not sure that I can put my finger on it but I have a sense that this is the dawning of a great change in the culture. It has been extraordinary for me helping shape a queer spiritual community that has begun a ministry of healing the greater community. I hadn't given much thought to the broader ministry of the intentional evolution of gay culture. What an exciting time to be on the planet! -- Leon T., Chicago

"Great message, good learning, I only hope that we all keep in action around our commitments." Greg H. San Francisco

"Your vision of the army of lovers has not left me. So where can I join up to be part of it?" - Derrick N., New York

"Thank you for the retreat -- for your work, vision, ideas, and energy. Something potentially very powerful and creative was begun-- this work is vital and exciting and transformative and incredible. -- Kent G. Atlanta

"Thank you again for working with us this past weekend. I had an incredible time at the retreat! I found what you said very thought-provoking and look forward to reading your book. - Bill C., Boulder

I want to thank you for the opportunity to participate in the men's retreat. The message was an important one, and I was very proud to be a part of a what appears to be an important movement -- a new beginning -- for community and beyond. - Joe M., Boulder

The Manifest Love event last weekend really got my juices flowing. I carry the energy of us 50 men together into our gay men's support group here in Rehoboth Beach. Thanks again for this commitment and vision." - Bill, Rehoboth Beach