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Religious Corner: Peace on Earth - Dr. Harvey Carr
legal: Corportions Part 2 - Attorney Gordon Nicol
Stacey Q Interview -David Vandygriff
Duval GOP TwitterGate -David Vandygriff
Culture vs City Council - David Vandygriff
SOTRU Trans Families - Laura Rigss
Publisher/Executive Editor: David Vandygriff publisher@cityxtramagazine.com Editor In Chief: Harvey Carr editor@cityxtramagazine.com Creative Designer: Jason Smith designer@cityxtramagazine.com Sales Department: Carlos Martinez sales@cityxtramagazine.com cityXtra Magazine is published by cityXtra Magazine, LLC. 2941 Plum Street Jacksonville, FL 32205 (904) 410-9592 www.cityxtramagazine.com Like us on Facebook/cityxtramag Twitter/cityxtra
Contributing Writers
Gay Marriage in Florida - Jake Moore
Laura Riggs, Dr. Harvey Carr, Attorney Gordon Nicol, Meredith O’Malley Johnson, Tina Vaughn, Jake Moore, Tyler Curry Editor HIV Equal Online, Sebastian Fortino, David Vandygriff, Joey Amato Publisher Unite Magazine
night life JACKSONVILLE Boot Rack: 4751 Lenox Blvd. (904) 384-7090 bootrack.com Bo’s Club: 201 5th Ave. N. (Jax Beach) (904) 246-9874 bosclub.com
ORLANDO Parliament House: 410 Orange Blossom Trail (407) 425-7571 parliamenthouse.com ST. PETERSBURG
Club Jax: 1939 Hendricks Ave. (904) 398-7451 clubjax.com
Flamingo Resort: 4601 34th St. S (727) 321-5000 flamingofla.com
Hamburger Mary’s: 3333-1 Beach Blvd. (904) 5512048 hamburgermarys.com/jax
Sporters Bar: 187 Dr. MLK St. N (9th St.) (727) 821-1920
Incahoots: 711 Edison Ave. (904) 353-6316 Park Place: 931 King St. (904) 389-6616 Metro: 859 Willow Branch Ave. (904) 388-7192 metrojax.com The Norm: 2952 Roosevelt (904) 384-0029
TAMPA (Ybor) Bradley’s on 7th: 1510 E 7th Ave (813) 241-2723 Liquid Tampa: 1502 E 7th (813) 248-6104 liquidtampa.com
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Peace on Earth - Good Will to ALL Humanity Part 1 By Dr. Harvey Carr Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa we are entering the holiday season. Most of us, in America, are very familiar with Christmas traditions, but seldom educate ourselves or understand the traditions of religions other than Christian. This article will be written in 2 latkes. parts to hopefully better educate all of us. Hanukkah became more widely celebrated Although Muslims do not celebrate Christmas nor beginning from the 1970s, when Rabbi recognize Christ as the Redeemer, they do Menachem M. Schneerson called for public proclaim that Jesus Christ was a great prophet awareness of the festival and encouraged the and accept that He was born, thus having a lighting of public menorahs. birthdate. Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration held in the Like Muslims, our Jewish families also recognize Jesus as a Great Teacher, calling Him Rabbi in scripture and in the writings of the Jewish historians Falvius Josephus and Philo Judaeus.
Hanukkah, The Festival of Lights, Festival of Lights, Feast of Dedication, is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple (the Second Temple) in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire of the 2nd century BC. Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, which may occur at any time from late November to late December in the Gregorian calendar. The festival is observed by the kindling of the lights of a unique candelabrum, the nine-branched menorah or hanukiah, one additional light on each night of the holiday, progressing to eight on the final night. The typical menorah consists of eight branches with an additional visually distinct branch. The extra light is called a shamash (Hebrew: ,"שמשattendant") and is given a distinct location, usually above or below the rest. The purpose of the shamash is to have a light available for practical use, as using the Hanukkah lights themselves for purposes other than publicizing and meditating upon Hanukkah is forbidden. Other Hanukkah festivities include playing dreidel and eating oil based foods such as doughnuts and
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United States and also celebrated in the Western African Diaspora in other nations of the Americas. The celebration honors African heritage in African-American culture, and is observed from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a feast and gift-giving. Kwanzaa has seven core principles (Nguzo Saba). Created by Maulana Karenga and first celebrated in 1966-67, each of the 7 days of celebration, honors one of the principles: Umoja (Unity): To strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race. Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves. Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers' and sisters' problems our problems, and to solve them together. Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together. Nia (Purpose): To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness. Kuumba (Creativity): To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it. Imani (Faith): To believe with all our hearts in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.
LEGAL: CORPORTIONS PART 2 By Atty. Gordon Nicol
In starting a new business there are important legal issues. This article is the second part of the series. One of the most important concerns is protecting yourself legally. The correct legal protection is essential to protect your investment and also your family. Based on your goals and aspirations, you have many different options. Choosing the right one for your family is critical. There is “no one size fits all” legal and business approach – each situation, investment and company are different. Well-meaning friends can say this is how they set up and developed their business. That doesn’t mean that you should do the same thing. Your individualized business plan will address all facets of your business. Your business plan is to address a number of concerns, including but not limited to: developing a new business or operating an already established business; financing; profit and loss statements; balance sheets; whether to establishing an S-corporation, a C-corporation, a partnership, a limited liability corporation, or a non-profit; articles of incorporation; vicarious liability; directors’ liability; fiduciary responsibilities; distribution and dividends; financing; and if applicable compliance with S.E.C. laws. These are both short term and long term objectives. The goal at www.yourjacksonvillelawyer.com is to develop the individualized approach that is right for you. The legal and business plans above are all “solvable. “ So, on a more personal note, don’t forget to celebrate your decision to start a business and your success. The above article is general in nature and should not be relied upon for specific legal advice. Every legal situation is different. Gordon T. Nicol, Attorney at Law Your Jacksonville Lawyer www.yourjacksonvillelawyer.com 7545 Centurion Parkway, Suite 108 Jacksonville,
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Stacey Q Interview By David Vandygriff
Best-known for her '80s dance-pop smash "Two of Hearts," Stacey Q's Madonna-ish look and youthful age helped her appeal to teens as well as club goers during her relatively brief time in the spotlight. Stacey Q pursued a solo career. She eventually signed with Atlantic, and made her solo debut in 1986 with the LP Better Than Heaven. The lead single, "Two of Hearts," soared into the pop Top Five, making Stacey Q a hot commodity; she performed on the sitcom The Facts of Life and scored another Top 40 hit with the follow-up, "We Connect."
Q: David Bowie, Kraftwerk , or maybe K.D. Lang. CX: If you weren't singing, what would you be doing? Stacey Q: Dancing,teaching ,acting,praying!…..
CX: When did you first start singing? Stacey Q: Officially, in 1981 I first considered singing.
CX: Do you play any instruments? Stacey Q: I play the castanets! From my Flamenco days with Dance Theatre of Orange County.
CX: What did your family do to encourage you? Stacey Q: My family was and is always very encouraging. Without being pushy.I was studying classical ballet in my youth, though. Not voice.
CX: If you could dabble in another genre of music, what would it be? Stacey Q: Being a genre dabbler from way back, I’m going to say Inspirational, World Party, or Country.
CX: Who else in your family sings? Stacey Q:.MyI find music third cousin on my Mother's dad's side is LAWRENCE TIBBETT. He is known as the most accomplished, non-European trained operatic baritone EVER.He is to this day the most famous American opera singer there has been. He was with the New York Metropolitan Opera for al least 17 years. He also founded the first Musician's Union! He died in 1960.
CX: What genre of music can't you stand to listen to? Stacey Q: ZYDECO.
CX: What kind of music do you listen to today? Stacey Q: Today I’m listening to Bowie, Devo, SSQ and Joe Bonnamassa.
Stacey Q will be perform at Hamburger Mary’s Jacksonville after the 9:30pm show. Reservation are highly recommended www.hamburgermarys.com/jacksonville
CX: What hidden talents do you have? Stacey Q: I have no idea. Guess that's why they call it "hidden".If I could choose, I’d have the qualities of Mother Theresa and the ability to fly!!...
CX: Do you enjoy writing music and/or lyrics? Stacey Q: I very much enjoy writing songs. For me, it's almost the biggest part of the recording CX: Who are your musical inspirations? Stacey Q: process. Sometimes the writing can be difficult. Or I find music inspiring generally. But my favorites even confronting. Depends on what you write are,David Bowie, Kraftwerk,Karen Carpenter and about. Linda Ronstadt.
CX: What embarrassing songs might I find on your MP3 player? Stacey Q: I don't know if embarrassing is the right word. Hmmmm... The Martian Hop, They’re Coming To Take Me Away, Positively 4th Street. CX: Where would you most like to perform? Stacey Q: The Hollywood Bowl!!!… CX: Who would you most like to open for? Stacey
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DUVAL GOP TWITTERGATE By David Vandygriff
Leaders of two civil rights groups in Florida — the local Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the Jacksonville Progressive Coalition — are calling Duval GOP Secretary Kim Crenier to step down after a series of racially-charged tweets about the unrest in Ferguson, MO. According to ActionNewsJax: Crenier admitted that she posted a tweet Monday night saying, “A suggestion for Ferguson- fire hoses. Grt big fire hoses, serious water pressure. Kn0ck those thugs over. They probly need a shower anyway.” Crenier says she was suggesting another way to control unruly protesters. “When you put it into context there is nothing sinister,” said Crenier. I’m sure that’s what the fire chief in 1962 said, too. Seriously, have they omitted the civil rights era from the homeschooling books or something? How could wishing water hoses on black crowds to “control unruly protestors” NOT be considered sinister? Wells Todd, from the Jacksonville Progressive Coalition, says Crenier’s comments have deeply divided the community. “When you make comments like this, what you’re trying to do is divide the culture and divide the citizenry of the city along racial lines,” said Todd. Kim Crenier, Duval GOP Secretary, and Rick Hartley, Duval GOP President have both stated that they would not seek re-election as leaders of the Duval GOP. Elections for the Duval GOP Party are scheduled to take place on December 15, 2014. Hartley has publicly endorsed City Councilman Robin Lumb for Duval GOP President. Lumb has created a controversy with the Culture Council over their treatment of fellow City Councilman Clay Yarborough calling a photograph at the MOCA pornography.
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CULTURE vs CITY COUNCIL By David Vandygriff
Our city has made many great strides on the culture fronts over the past decade. Due in part to MOCA and the Cultural Council. Both organizations have developed great programs to help enrich the lives of each and every citizen. Unfortunately, in recent days a few members of the Jacksonville City Council have sought to stomp out the First Amendment right of every citizen. City Councilman Clay Yarborough sought to have funding to the MOCA stopped due to a photograph of a nude woman with breast showing. Clay’s request was denied by the Mayor’s Office and found protesters on the door steps of City Hall. Even after Clay met with MOCA leaders his request to move the photograph was denied. Now one would think this would be where the story ends. Well not in Jacksonville. City Councilman Robin Lumb is now attacking the Culture Council for supporting MOCA. Lumb evidently isn’t pleased with the Culture Council’s email blast that provided links to stories about Councilman Yarborough. Lumb’s argument leans towards the argument that the Culture Council is funded by taxpayer dollars and therefore should be more responsible in responses to such controversial issues against City Council Members. Just when you thought the drama was over another political official weighs into the waters of Culture vs City Council. At cityXtra we believe that art is protected by the US Constitution. Furthermore, the City Council cannot dictate what the Culture Council finds supportive of the arts. The City Council has no business attempting to blackmail the arts community by threatening to pull funding. We believe that if any attempt is made to withdraw funding from MOCA or
the Culture Council the city would find itself with more protesters on the door steps of City Hall. Will the Duval GOP move on from racial undertones to attacking the arts community with Robin Lumb as the new projected Duval GOP President? One can only wonder what in the world is going on with the Duval GOP. The Duval GOP Leaders appear to use “thuggish words” without any sensitivity towards the black community and now the arts community. The most amazing part about this story is how Lumb thinks it is okay to control what the Cultural Council says and/or supports against a City Council Member solely because the Cultural Council receives grants from the city. We think the City Council, well only two at this point Lumb and Yarborough, seem to think they are able to control every agency that receives taxpayer money from exercising their right to Freedom of Speech and Expression. According to the Folio Weekly, Lumb stated, “This compromise only works when we have adults in the room.” Is this a proper comment to be made by a future leader of any political party? We would strongly urge both Lumb and Yarborough to focus more on the pension deficits of the city and less on attempting to force the public to adhere to their own idea of moral standards.
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SOTRU Trans Families By Laura Riggs
After months of hard work by the Jacksonville Committee for Equality, the Jacksonville City Council voted down a bill that would have added these fully inclusive LGBT protections. Gender identity and expression was the sticking point for most of the city council members. In response, We Are Straight Allies (WASA) was launched in August 2013, as an ad campaign created to raise awareness and encourage support of adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the city’s existing Human Rights Ordinance. To help ensure passage of the ordinance in 2015, WASA has engaged local media, corporations, nonprofit organizations and the faith-based community to begin public dialogue about transgender experiences. On Oct. 15, 2014, We Are Straight Allies hosted a State of the Re: Union (SOTRU) Trans Families live listening session at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in partnership with NPR’s “SOTRU” host, Al Letson and WJCT (NPR/PBS) to facilitate a safe space where local transgender community members could share a first-person perspective of their lives. The professional panel consisted of Bradley, a case manager who has worked with www.cityxtramagazine.com 20
HIV +, homeless and transgender populations; Tricia Russell, Bank of America executive; Cam, freelance writer and artist and Kristie Overstreet, licensed mental health professional, who each brilliantly wove their life testimonials in between several SOTRU Trans Families episodes. The interviews and stories from SOTRU revealed some of the complexities around coming out as trans and finding acceptance amongst family, friends, partners, and society at large. One story, which captivated audience members, was of a Catholic nun who counseled and ministered to transgender Catholics. Her story reveals an interdependent relationship of audacity and vulnerability, as both the anonymous nun and those who she supports were able to take a radical approach to their Catholic faith. Representation from diverse races/cultures, age groups, orientations (LGBTQA) and community sectors (faith, corporate, political, non profit, higher education). Three city council candidates were in attendance, along with 10 members from a local trans support group (that WASA visited in July). The audience
was attentive and posed challenging questions and provided thoughtful comments. One of the attendees shared that she had a lengthy dinner table conversation with her family and friends visiting from South Africa after the event. City council candidate (also a minister) shared during the event that his daughter came out as a lesbian. Never before has an organization embarked upon an innovative transgender education and awareness initiative in Jacksonville, FL, targeted towards educating the cisgender population. Noteworthy comments were made from panelists regarding the urgent needs of transgender people living in Jacksonville, particularly trans* youth of color. While the nation grapples with trans-exclusion and phobia, this monumental event was an important step towards full equality for the transgender community and passage of a fully inclusive ordinance. For more information about the work they are doing in the community, please visit www.wearestraightallies.com.
Gay Marriage in Florida By Jacob Moore
STATUS: Anti-relationship recognition constitutional amendment; one federal judge and four separate judges in state court have ruled that the amendment is unconstitutional. A stay in a Florida federal ruling is set to expire on January 5, 2015 unless the U.S. Supreme Court grants an extension of the stay, the freedom to marry should take effect on 1/5. WHAT'S HAPPENING: On August 21, U.S. District Court Judge Robert Hinkle struck down Florida's ban on marriage for same-sex couples, the first federal court victory in Florida. On December 3, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit denied the state's request to extend a stay in this ruling, declaring that the stay will be lifted on January 5, 2015. Unless the U.S. Supreme Court grants an extension, the freedom to marry should take effect on January 5 as the appeal proceeds to the 11th Circuit. The decision followed four previous rulings, beginning with the July 17 decision from Chief Circuit Judge Luis Garcia, who ordered the Monroe County Clerk to stop enforcing Florida's anti-marriage constitutional amendment. Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi appealed, which immediately stayed the ruling. Over the next two weeks, two additional judges Miami-Dade County Circuit Court Judge Sarah Zabel and Broward County Circuit Judge Dale Cohen - also ruled that Florida's marriage ban is unconstitutional. JANUARY 5, 2015 GAY MARRIAGE COMES TO FLORIDA. Stay tuned for updates on our website at www.cityxtramagazine.com
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