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Content
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Divorce 101
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Eating Us Alive
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Rep Saunders Person of the Year
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Standing Up With Ben Cohen
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Get Inspired 6K
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Out Memphis
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LGBT or G?
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Dishin’ The Dirt Publisher/Executive Editor: publisher@cityxtramag.com Creative Designer: designer@rcityxtramag.com Sales Department: sales@cityxtramag.com
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city: legal corner DIVORCE 101 By Gordon T. Nicole, Atty One of the most common questions that we are asked by new clients is “Why is divorce so messy?” There are two answers. One comes from understanding the court process. The second part is understanding each client’s emotional reasons for the divorce. Here’s how the court system works. To start with, recognize that when you file a divorce you are filing a lawsuit. Lawsuits are not designed to be “fun.” Lawsuits are designed to have a “winner” and a “loser.” While we like to blame the lawyers - and who doesn’t like to blame the lawyers? – it is important to understand that lawyers are hired to “win” for their client. The attorney’s goal is to "win the case by defeating the other side." Attorneys are trained to conduct "discovery" to help their clients take care of paying the bills and supporting their family. The “discovery” process is individualized for each divorce. Sometimes the process involves requesting documents from the other spouse; subpoenaing records such as those from the I.R.S., Social ecurity, I.R.A. / 401 K providers, as well as medical and psychiatric records. Sometimes the process involves drafting “interrogatories” which are in depth questions submitted in writing and requiring a written response from the other spouse under oath and within a time deadline; depositions of the other spouse, his/her family, friends, and employers; hiring personal investigators, property appraisers, and custody evaluators. These legal tools are designed to gain information to protect client’s futures. The goal is use the information gathered through the discovery process to then detail a persuasive argument for one spouse while pointing out the weaknesses of the other spouse’s position. Understanding how the court system works is important for protecting your future. Here’s the second part. This involves understanding the psychology of a divorce. Each client will have their own reasons for the divorce. For some clients a “messy” divorce satisfies the urge to make their spouse “pay” for all the frustration, disappointment, and betrayal of the failed marriage. Family members, in-laws, neighbors, employers, and (often times) even
the children get to “vote” in these messy fights. Some spouses will specifically state that they “want their day in court with a trial so the Judge has to pick a side and say who is right and who is wrong.” For some clients this may not be the best approach. You need to protect yourself financially. But also keep in mind that you also need to protect yourself and the children emotionally. You do not want to be so bitter that it destroys any of the good memories that you and your spouse once shared. This bitterness has an impact on you and your future relationships. It is hard to be happy when you are still so consumed with bitterness that you are stuck. If you have children there is an emotional impact on them. I always encourage clients with children to recognize that the goal is to successfully raise your children even after you are divorced. It is devastating for children, of any age, to the see their parents, the two people that they love and look up to the most, fighting and “ripping each other apart.” Be sure to talk with your friends, your attorney, and your family to decide the best approach for your situation. Decide how best to protect yourself and your children financially and emotionally. There are options to help make divorce less “messy” and emotionally devastating which we will discuss in future articles. The above article is general in nature and should not be relied upon for specific legal advice. Every legal situation is different.
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city: religious corner Eating Us Alive: Powerful People, Common Fears By Dr. Harey Carr Tiger Woods was one of the most revered and respected apex predators in the masculine pecking order. He breathed the rare air of cult status in one of the most coveted zones of male glory: sports. He was a disciplined athlete who possessed the spoils of manhood while simultaneously achieving "role model" status bequeathed to those who are professionally transcendent. The four-time Masters Champion donned the iconic green jacket at Augusta National sealing his mythic status. His iconic status and aura also created a perception that he was morally sound, emotionally mature and relationally committed to his family. Men and women, young and old alike, swallowed this persona until one day he lost his cultural "anointing" thanks to spicy and public revelations of sexual indiscretions. His fall from grace was a painful sucker punch to his admirers. The news outlets acted like a pack of wild hyenas with a fresh kill, eating the flesh off the story as fast as possible without much thought going toward the very real moral and emotional conflicts resonating within these sad events. Predictably, journalists set to work dissecting the events, profiling the mistresses, and providing plate after plate of consumable journalistic gossip. This dance of detailing the logistics of immorality while never commenting on the actual moral angles of the story is the oxymoronic state of our news community. What we got with the Woods affairs were the juicy details and "twinky" analysis bereft of any useable intellectual nutrition or meaningful insight from very painful stories. God forbid we hold up a mirror and actually learn from the mistakes we make as people so that we can identify the landmines and affirm the healthier patterns actually practiced by “good” people.
These forays into "unfamiliar territory" produce rogue emotions for people that frighten even the strongest and most disciplined. People who face emotional storms due to circumstances they could not foresee, preempt, or predict will move quickly to self-protect. Thoughts swirl. Our famous "grip" is lost and there is a fight or flight reaction. Most importantly, carefully built public images surrounding us create a high wall that private problems cannot scale. This public-private split does not accommodate the admission of a weakness or uncharacteristic but chest compressing fears. In this prison of a person's own making, secrets must be kept and private relief sought. Healthy people know how to take these issues and pressure to God, to spouses or partners, or close friends early in the process. These fail-safes help them to gain perspective that all is not "fatal or final" and, in the process, they regain their emotional equilibrium. But if those options are cut off from them, the quest for comfort and reassurance will take over secretly. With unmitigated fear, need for and want of relief from those fears will trump morals and values in most cases as well as rationalize uber-dumb decisions that promise pleasure but deliver pain and regret, and the dark voice wins.
Why don't we stop shaking our heads at our fellow humans and start exploring the powerful dynamics in these stories? Why not talk about the very real psychological, moral, and spiritual dynamics at the root of these lapses versus just "tabloiding" the symptoms for advertising bucks and social media buzz? Problems seldom exist at the level at which we finally see them. There is a personal side to the public behaviors of people where, against their better judgment, track record, or public position, they choose poorly. We only see the tip of the iceberg. Below the waterline of Tiger Woods’ public persona, the invisible and personal fears that, somehow, he was "losing himself" started to envelop him. At very specific points in time, this outwardly confident and secure man became inwardly insecure and unsure of himself. Tiger reflected very specifically on how he felt that his celebrity and persona – the PGA, his endorsers, and the constant pressure to keep up with all the commitments to be the face or brand – controlled every aspect of his existence. He said, "I felt like my life was a commercial." A champion feels like a chump who's being pimped. That's truly scary. cityXtra 09
city: person of the year PERSON OF THE YEAR: Florida House Rep Joe Saunders By David Vandygriff Florida State House Representative Joseph Saunders is cityXtra Magazine’s PERSON of the YEAR 2012. Representative Saunders made history in Florida by becoming one of the first openly gay Florida House Representatives elected to office in 2012. Joe’s family has lived in East Central Florida for 15 years. In 2003, while a student at UCF, an anti-gay hate crime left two students injured and the campus community demoralized. Joe stepped up to organize rallies and press conferences to call for more protections for the LGBT community on campus and began a career in advocacy that continues today. While at UCF, Joe served as Chair of the UCF Progressive Council, President of the UCF LGBT Student Union and ran young voter registration and education campaigns for the Florida League of Conservation Voters. He mentored incoming freshmen about responsible decision making as a REACH Peer Educator and worked part-time as a student liaison to the UCF Faculty world class public education system and quality arts and cultural Senate. institutions help Florida to retain and recruit the best and brightest talent which attracts employers and grows jobs. For the last two years Joe has chaired the Osceola Arts for a Complete Education Coalition which advocates for quality arts education in K-12 public schools. An artist himself, Joe has helped to lead Central Florida's best arts institutions as a sitting Board Member of the Osceola Center for the Arts, a member of “The Circle” coalition for the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center, a past Board member for Applause Academy and has been a longtime booster and chaperone for the Gateway High School Drama Club. We congratulate Representative Saunders on his many accomplishments over the years and recognize him as a HERO and ROLE MODEL within the Florida LGBT Community. cityXtra Magazine looks forward to watching Representative Saunders excel in his new position as District 49 Representative and beyond! Years later Joe is one of the leading voices for progressive values in the state of Florida. For seven years, as senior staff in the civil rights organization Equality Florida, he’s advocated in Tallahassee and across the state for policies that now protect millions of people from discrimination. Joe has a long history of community service in Central Florida including Planned Parenthood of Greater Orlando, the Orange County Democratic Party, the Metropolitan Business Association and the Orange County League of Women Voters. Joe understands intimately that our economic prosperity is directly linked to fairness in our public policy, fully funding public education and improving our quality of life. As a proud resident and House Representative of District 49, Joe believes that a
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city: sports column Standing Up With Ben Cohen By Brian Sims Several months ago I received a call from my friend Shane Windemeyer, asking me if I’d be interested in meeting with Ben Cohen if he came to the United States. Shane is the executive director of one of my favorite LGBT organizations, Campus Pride, and makes his living teaching young adults and college administrations about what it means to have an LGBT-inclusive academic environment. Ben, on the other hand, had spent the last 14 years earning the reputation as one of the world’s premiere professional rugby players. More importantly, over the last several years he’d gained international attention for his very public fight against bullying and specifically anti-gay bullying. Needless to say, I told Shane that if given the opportunity, I’d be honored to meet with Ben and talk with him about my work with LGBT Athletes & Allies and about how I could help him with his efforts to continue to spread his message of inclusiveness and equality here in the United States. And let’s be honest, who would pass on an opportunity to meet this guy! So in late February, as a trip to the U.S. began to come together, I was all too happy to learn that not only was the English rugby icon going to be touring several major cities in the United States, but the purpose of his tour was to launch an organization that was going to be entirely unique in the world of LGBT advocacy; an exclusively anti-bullying organization launched by a straight professional athlete!
which broke just days before the start of the tour. The idea that a world-famous athlete would leave his sport, and his home country, to start an organization wholly dedicated to eradicating bullying in all forms was more than just inspiring, it was the definition of heroic. So in mid-May I hopped on a plane from Philadelphia to Atlanta, where I was asked to introduce Ben at the launch of his tour. I was joined by Shane from Campus Pride and quickly whisked away to the offices being used to launch the endeavor. Just as quickly, I was introduced to a filmmaker, Chris Hines, who was in the process of making a documentary film for Logo about Ben’s efforts and about the intersection of athletics and the LGBT community. My kind of stuff!
What followed was an experience that was entirely unexpected and as inspiring and motivating as anything I’ve had the incredible fortune to do over the last several years. As a gay rights advocate and policy attorney, I have spent years studying the impact that pro-LGBT activism has on our rights and on our allies, and I know that the statistical impact of straight allies of The StandUp Foundation, as it was named, is the culmination of gay rights is oftentimes significantly greater than anything that I years of work by Ben and his friends and allies. Much like Lance or any other gay activists can offer. Quite literally, a Ben Cohen Armstrong’s LiveStrong, Ben had the idea that if he could further reaches an audience that doesn’t want to be reached by “gay” capitalize on his image as a professional athlete and unofficial organizations, or by pro-equality messages. His voice is unique spokesperson for straight allies of gay people, he could build an in that regard and it follows that he brings an almost limitless organization that would grow beyond his own personal efforts ability to reach new allies. and truly impact the millions of fans of professional sports and the countless LGBT athletes and fans around the world. After filming my own interview and talking about my own experiences as an athlete and gay rights advocate, I was able to To launch the organization, Ben chose Patrick Davis, a sit with Ben on camera and talk openly and honestly about our marketing and branding extraordinaire headquartered in Atlanta, experiences in athletics, with sports fans in general, and as and it quickly followed that the StandUp Foundation—and its people fighting for equality. I learned quickly that Ben is not out sister for-profit company—would be based in Atlanta as well. to make a buck. In fact, I’m fairly certain that he actually is out to More importantly, the southern city would also play host to the save the world, or at least as much of the world as he can get start of the Ben Cohen StandUp Acceptance Tour during which his message out to. Ben and the team he’d assembled would introduce the world to his new organization. While I spend most of my time lately talking about municipal non -discrimination policies and legislation aimed at protecting LGBT For my part, I’d known for several weeks that the tour was the people with legislators and progressive organizations, it was kick-off of the organization but I hadn’t known that it would also instantly refreshing to talk with someone whose passions and coincide with Ben’s retirement from professional rugby, news of focus are just as strong but not limited to individual pieces of cityXtra 12
legislation or political parties and whose potential is as broad as his aspirations (and his shoulders)! Ben offered a frank, honest and unmarshalled approach to advocacy. “It’s the right thing to do and it’s long overdue,” he said when I asked why he was leaving rugby to help fight for my rights. “This is about standing up for what’s right and giving everyone an opportunity to have a happy, healthy life.” It sounds so simple; the truth often does.
treasured items from his rugby career. From the cleats (yeah, I know, they call them boots) that he played his last match in, to the torn jersey he retired in, Ben once again showed his true colors by allowing his personal memorabilia to be auctioned off to help fund the StandUp Foundation. Humble doesn’t even begin to describe the man and I know I speak for everyone that was there that night when I say that we are all grateful that he would go to such lengths to promote his initiative and ultimately our rights!
In between sharing his message on CNN, MSNBC, and countless American and English newspapers and media outlets, we actually were able to spend a lot of time with his fans and supporters in Atlanta. The Atlanta Bucks, the region’s gay rugby team, were not only natural hosts for a number of local events, but also provided ample opportunities to highlight Ben’s strengths as a sportsman and leader.
So what’s next?
Rugby matches, ice-cold kegs, Southern food and more than a little friendly competition all made for a weekend that I know made Ben feel more at home, and Atlanta feel even more proud to have played host. Just as importantly, on the second to the last night of our trip, Ben did something that as a former athlete I don’t know if I would have had the selflessness to do myself; at an auction that evening, Ben parted ways with some of the most
Although it’s still unclear when that battle will be won, I know several things for certain: I am proud to StandUp with Ben Cohen. I am empowered to StandUp against bullying. I am honored to have straight allies StandUp alongside the LGBT community. And I am an unwavering and ever-thankful supporter of the StandUp Foundation!
The fight to end bullying of all types and in all areas has a lot of soldiers lately and now it has a new army as well. Ben brings a humility and a base of support to the battle that will only work to hasten the progress already made, and bring new allies and new approaches to protect all people from bullying.
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get inspired 6K Run By David Vandygriff Jacksonville finally has an official name and date for a run benefiting local HIV/AIDS charities and organizations. The name chosen is get inspired 6k! The date has been set with First Place Sports of Saturday, June 29, 2013. The run committee is made-up of individuals that are affected/infected by HIV/AIDS. We had the opportunity to sit down the founder, Chris Day this week to discover the motivating forces behind such an event. CX: What is the main purpose behind Get Inspired 6k? Chris: Provide an inclusive, fun atmosphere where participants can test their physical endurance. Create awareness around HIV/AIDS here in Jacksonville, Florida. Raise money for local HIV/AIDS non-for-profits in Jacksonville, Florida. CX: Why does this run mean so much to you? Chris: Given that Jacksonville, Florida, is in the top-5 fastest growing HIV/AIDS infection rates, it’s important we start the conversation by raising awareness and raising money to assist curbing HIV/AIDS in our local community. And what better way to get that started than a run! CX: What kind of organizations will benefit from the monies raised? Chris: Beneficiaries of the race will have HIV/AIDS as their core mission, be locally based, and commit to spending the moneys on HIV/AIDS prevention and care. CX: Where do you see the race taking place? Chris: Wow, there are so many beautiful places around Jacksonville. We’re aiming to have it somewhere where runners can get a true appreciation for downtown Jacksonville’s skyline. CX: Will there be a training part to prepare us none runners for the 6K?
Chris: The cool thing about Get Inspired 6k, is there are at least 4 avid runners on the organizing committee. And all four are committed to starting a training program for people of all fitness levels in anticipation of Get Inspired 6k. CX: What is your primary motivator in taking on such a huge task? Chris: Putting together a race (to bring about awareness and stem the tide of HIV/AIDS in Jacksonville) may be a big task . . . but doing nothing is not an option. CX: What level of interest has your founding group members experienced at this point? Chris: Our organizing committee members have all been affected by HIV/AIDS, and share my passion for implementing an annual sporting event inspiring people to get involved. It’s this passion that causes the committee meetings to be productive and ensure Get Inspired 6ks founding mission occurs with utmost quality. CX: Whom would a person and/or company contact for sponsorship details? Chris: For all the latest information on Get Inspired 6k, “Like” and “Share” our Facebook page: http://facebook.com/ getinspired6k.
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city: out memphis Known for Blues, BBQ and Elvis, Memphis is a city steeped in culture and tradition. There are many things to do and see in Memphis, but one of the largest tourist attractions by far is Graceland, the former home of Elvis Presley. I was a bit surprised to see that the estate was located in the heart of an urban neighborhood instead of the sprawling countryside, but once you enter the music note adorned gates, you are quickly transported back in time. Many of the rooms in Graceland still contain the same furnishings and décor as it did when Elvis and his family lived there. Over 600,000 visitors tour Graceland every year, making it one of the most visited homes in the country. The mansion sits on 13.8-acres and was declared a National Historic Landmark in 2006. The only portion of the mansion that is off limits to guests is the upstairs, as Elvis always wanted to keep that portion of his home private. Hundreds of gold records and memorabilia can be found throughout the estate. Even the clothes worn by Elvis and Priscilla on their wedding day can be seen behind glass in another building constructed on the property. Visitors can also tour Elvis’s private plane collection. I’m not talking about model planes, these are the real deal. Finally, pay your respect to the King with a visit to the Presley family grave site in the meditation garden. If all of the touring has made you hungry, head downtown to find some of the best BBQ east of the Mississippi. Hidden in an alley off of 2 nd Street is Charles Vergo’s Rendezvous, a Memphis institution featured on Travel Channel’s “Man v. Food Nation.” Even though host Adam Richmond suggested trying the ribs, my guest and I both opted for the succulent Pork Shoulder sandwich. At just $7.95, this delicious over-sized sandwich arrives overflowing with pork and accompanied by baked beans and a unique mustard and vinegar-based slaw. It’s the perfect way to begin a culinary journey of Memphis. After lunch, walk over to the historic Peabody Hotel and catch a glimpse of the world-renowned Peabody Ducks, which have been featured on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Sesame Street, the Oprah Winfrey Show and in People magazine. Over the years, celebrities including Paula Deen, Joan Collins, Kevin Bacon, Emeril Lagasse, Patrick Swayze, and Peter Frampton have received the coveted role of Honorary Duckmaster. The Peabody is a member of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association, so you and your partner will feel welcome staying here. Spend the early evening walking down Beale Street and listen to any one of dozens of live bands perform, or grab a cocktail at Wet Willie’s. Beale Street comes alive after dark, but if you’re looking to catch a great drag performance, head to Crossroads, one of Memphis’ premier gay bars. The establishment boasts a large stage, outdoor patio and multiple bar areas. However, they don’t serve alcohol but encourage patrons to bring their own. Other options include Drew’s Place and Pumping Station, but club-goers should head to Spectrum. The 30,000 square-foot complex boasts two dance floors and is the hottest place in town to meet and mingle with the young and fabulous crowd.
A few miles up the road is Sun Studio, a recording studio opened by rock pioneer Sam Phillips in 1950. The building is known for recording what is being called the first rock-and-roll single, Jackie Brenston and the Delta Cats' "Rocket 88". The studio also holds the nickname “The Birthplace of Rock & Roll.” Music legends including Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison and Jerry Lee Lewis all recorded here at some point in their career. For dinner, I recommend Local Gastropub on Main Street. Diners should choose to sit outside and watch as street cars and decorated horse-drawn carriages travel up and down the street, which is closed to thru-traffic, giving Local Gastropub a very European vibe. The food at Local is varied and plentiful. For starters, try the Smoked Duck Quesadilla with chipotle aioli or the Crispy Spanish Shrimp with sweet paprika mayo. For a lighter entrée, choose one of Local’s signature salads. The Seared Tuna Tostada contains ahi tuna cooked to perfection over a bed of mixed greens, marinated cucumbers, crisp wontons and toasted sesame seeds with a Thai dressing. If you have more of an appetite, try the Fish & Chips, a hearty portion of North Atlantic cod deep fried in a Ghost River Golden Ale batter with lemon dill tartar sauce served with hand cut fries. Another great selection is the Shrimp & Grits, served with chaurice sausage broth, tomato jam and fried egg. Memphis is a great weekend destination and an excellent city for those looking to learn more about music history. Remember, bring your appetite and don’t forget to pack your blue suede shoes! For more information of Memphis, visit www.MemphisTravel.com OUT Destinations is part of OUTreach Public Relations, a company specializing in LGBT marketing. Founded by Joey Amato, OUTreach PR has quickly become one of the most sought after companies for firms looking to target the ever growing and affluent LGBT consumer. For more information, please visitwww.outreachpublicrelations.com.
Memphis is home to many music-related attractions in addition to Graceland. The Stax Museum of American Soul Music, located at the original site of Stax Records, pays tribute to all of the artists who recorded there. The museum features an amazing collection of more than 2,000 pieces of memorabilia from soul pioneers including Ike & Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, The Jackson Five, Al Green, Sam Cooke, James Brown and Ray Charles.
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city: lgbt? LGBT or Q: Why Can’t We Just All be “G?” By Sebastian Fortino When I was twenty years old I read an article on the “postgay” movement, the idea people should move on from describing themselves by their sexuality. I was a little horrified. It seemed as if the gay gods – who at the time were Elton John, Junior Vasquez, Madonna and my therapist – were suggesting the work I did to “become gay” was a waste of time. Well, the post-gay movement never really quite caught on, as we still identify as gay and celebrate coming out and being accepted. A few years ago, I entered LGBT and GLBT into Google to see how many hits they garnered. LGBT brought 25 million hits while GLBT returned three million. Today those numbers are just less than 50 million and just more than 13 million hits respectively. The numbers increased a great deal since then, perhaps due to gay issues such as gay marriage, the end of DADT - which stands for Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, not Dudes and Daddies of Tallahassee – and of course anti-gay rhetoric during the recent election.
G you discover there are more subgroups – for instance you have femmes and butch lesbians. In the gay male community you have groups like twinks and jocks. Then in the bear community you have otters, wolves, and cubs,” he said. He also recounted a story in which transgender activists came to the offices of his publication to protest a column. The writer suggested the T in LGBT was perhaps out of place because issues associated with transgender individuals are not just about sexuality but also encompass gender issues.
“However, that wasn’t really the point of the column. It was our gay pride issue and the columnist ultimately said transgender people should ‘be part of the same parade’ because all of our issues in some way have to do with our genitals and fighting for acceptance. In the end it turned out the activists hadn’t read the full article, they were angry because they thought we implied they weren’t welcome,” said Hagen. “It also confirmed how George Alley, a choreographer, musician and artist based in much these transgender individuals wanted to be under our Philadelphia has always enjoyed exploring gender. He feels LGBT both the way LGBT people identify and gay culture as we know umbrella.” it is rapidly changing. Alley wonders, if the LGBT community will become so accepted we will someday no longer produce artists Both Alley and Hagen make a similar point, as to why we all like Marlene Dietrich and David Sedaris or Amanda Lepore and can’t be gay, although they stand at opposite ends of the Rufus Wainwright who bring their unique identities to their work. rainbow. Alley’s experience is we can’t all be lumped into gay because the culture itself is really permeating mainstream “Before the 1990s people were coming out because of artistic or society. Hagen, however feels we cannot all be called gay politically oriented reasons, forming a culture with a strong viewbecause this would discard the many layers of sexuality, gender point. What happened within the past fifteen years or so is gay and identity which make up the LGBT community. as a term is no longer easy to identify with because so many people are coming out. Yes, it makes us more accepted but then “Really,” Hagen said in closing. “It’s like looking into a you get a group of people who have nothing in many-faceted diamond.” common other than sex. Culturally, especially in cities with an artistic community, it seems less and less significant to go to You can find George Alley’s latest album, Schemes on iTunes events that are gay specific,” he said. “In a way this is why I call and his latest video on YouTube.com myself an artist first and gay secondly.” However, a more interesting question to ask is why are we still so concerned with these labels? Why can’t we all be G? Instead of harmonizing into one community it seems as if we are constantly adding more subsets to the list. It is common to now see LGBTQ, with Q for queer or questioning.
Paul Hagen, Editor-in-Chief of Metrosource Magazine, also offered unique insight from his perspective via a gay publication.
Paul Hagen, editor-in-chief of Metrosource (metrosource.com) and contributor to 'The Focus Group' (focusgroupradio.com) and their podcast ‘The Focus Group: Casual Fridays.’
“You can easily make it sound very homogenous – we are all gay, so what? – but someone who identifies as bisexual might call themselves queer. Then, when you really look at the L and cityXtra 21
TV's hit, "The Real Housewives of Atlanta." Hair will be pulled, fist fights will ensue and the cops/paramedics will arrive. Just By Jonathan Jaxson listen when I say, that nearly every moment on this program is set up by the producers and cast. AND I don't want to just single With all reality phenomenon still being such a focus in our world, out this new spinoff, as this is the case with nearly EVERY I wanted to talk about the "Unreality of Reality TV." Some of this reality series. may spoil your TV viewing, while other items may intrigue you, and some may just plain ole' bore you.
Here it is: The Unreality of Reality TV
On January 23, the Style Network's debuting it's hit spinoff series of "Big Rich Texas," titled, "Big Rich Atlanta." However, it is far from what the title states, as is with all the housewives series and many other reality programs. These characters are living a fantasy within a fantasy for our viewing pleasure. Having worked alongside several cast members of "Big Rich Atlanta" the past few months while in Atlanta, the show is far from what the word reality means. Each day the ladies filmed, there was a mini-script and plot for the day's happenings and what the producers wanted them to do and talk about. In the new series, it dictates that all these women on the program are members of an elite Atlanta country club…But don't be fooled, most aren't members and some couldn't even afford the membership if the had liked. So the country club, or shall we call it the sound stage, is filled with fake patrons that are being paid as extras to sit in the background as the drama ensues on this program. Yet, it isn't just the country club where extra's are requested, it is nearly every where the ladies filmed. I guess having the real friends and families of these characters on the program weren't good enough. On the series, you will see tender moments, however most of it is filled with drama to compete with its rivalry shows like Bravo
For instance, "The Real Housewives" franchise should be renamed "The Wannabe's of …" because many of the women appearing aren't even married (yet) and don't even have the funds to keep up with the Joneses as the show portrays. As a matter of fact, many go broke and end up loosing their rented elaborate homes used for the show because of the costs of rent and the cost of clothing, expensive rented cars and much more alone. Don't get me wrong, some of the most famous people presently in the world are indeed reality stars and some have even advanced from reality TV to the big screen. It was nearly the same instance when I filmed my own reality show for Bravo back in 2006, in Jacksonville, FL, titled "Party/ Party: Gay Weddings." I filmed for nearly 30 long days straight and everyday was calculated the same way. So, in the end, reality TV today should be deemed unreality for just some of the sole purposes above. Make sure you tune into the Style Network this month for "Big Rich Atlanta" and see what I am talking about. Until next time… Jonathan "JJ" Jaxson www.twitter.com/jonathanjaxson www.zlpgroup.com
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Karaoke with Rob Sessions EVERY Wednesday Night