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Christian Right’s New Strategy on Gay Marriage By Jacob Baer
Over 50 HIV Linked To Higher Rate of Cancers By Kaitlan Stern
Importance of ‘Where’ When Considering Surrogacy By David Vandygriff
‘Religious Liberty’ Cases Given Priority By DOJ By Jason Miller
Publisher/Executive Editor David Vandygriff dvandygriff@cityxtramagazine.com Editor In Chief Harvey Carr hcarr@cityxtramagazine.com Director of Sales Adam Plante, Esq. aplante@cityxtramagazine.com Creative Designer Debbie Johson djohnson@cityxtramagazine.com
Peppermint Makes Broadway Debut By Jennifer David
Benefits Of Himalayan Pink Salt By Seventh Wonder Spa
Dinah Shores Weekend 2018 By Vickey Newsome
Florida GOP & Alt-Right Activist Attending SOTU By David Vandygriff
Cher Sings ‘Fernando’ In Mama Mia By Drew Wilson
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“Christian conservatives used to try to promote traditional morality for everyone, but Christian Right Has A New Strategy now there On Gay Marriage By Jacob Baer seems to be a recognition that The next broadside in the culture they just aren’t going to win over wars arrives on the Supreme the culture,” said Andrew R. Court’s doorstep Tuesday in the Lewis, a political science unlikely form of a Colorado professor at the University of bakery owner named Jack Cincinnati. “So they’re going to Phillips. Phillips is a devout the courts to argue that they’re Christian who closes his shop on vulnerable like other minorities Sundays and refuses to take and they need protections from business that he says violates the broader culture.” his religious beliefs — including making cakes celebrating Steven Brown, a professor of Halloween, atheism and “any political science at Auburn form of marriage other than University who has studied the between a husband and a wife.” Christian right’s use of the In doing so, he is defying his courts, said that cases like state’s anti-discrimination law, Masterpiece Cakeshop are and the Supreme Court will now taking the language of rights hear oral arguments on whether pioneered by liberal groups over he has the right to do so. the course of the 20th century to demand even more sweeping The case, Masterpiece protections for religious groups Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil than courts have granted in the Rights Commission, represents past. a pivotal new legal strategy for the Christian conservative “This is very different from other movement grounded in religious liberty claims rather than arguments that the law should reflect their values. But it’s also a sign that the Christian right — which once professed to speak for America’s “moral majority” — is tacitly conceding a loss in its long-standing battle over gay rights. While religious conservatives have consistently cast themselves as at odds with dominant liberal, secular forces, this case indicates that they are beginning to adapt to life as a true cultural minority. 06 www.cityxtramagazine.com
cases, where you had Jehovah’s Witnesses saying they couldn’t be forced to say the Pledge of Allegiance in schools,” he said. It’s also a separate situation, Brown said, from instances when Christians argued that a public school or state university violated their free speech rights by restricting the activities of religious student clubs, since “those are government actors and the purpose of the First Amendment is to protect citizens from government overreach.” “The question here is whether a Christian baker who purports to serve the public gets those protections,” Brown said. “That could lead to a dangerous place where anyone can essentially say, ‘I won’t serve your kind.’” And then there’s the question of whether “religious liberty” is merely a cover for anti-LGBT discrimination — as some have contended — or whether with cases like Masterpiece Cakeshop, Christian conservatives are shifting to a strategy based on religious pluralism.
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Over 50 HIV Linked To Higher Rate Of Cancers Dr. Kaitlan Stern
People with HIV who are older than 50 have a higher rate of various cancers compared with the older general population, including some cancers not traditionally associated with the virus, aidsmap reports. However, there are a few cancers that occur at a lower rate among older people with HIV.
three of the rates of AIDSdefining cancers analyzed in the study occurred at higher
rates among the HIV population, including Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS), which occurred at a103-fold higher rate among people with HIV; non–Hodgkin lymphoma, which occurred at a 3.05-fold higher rate; and cervical cancer, which occurred at a 2.02-fold higher rate.
Various non-HIV-related cancers occurred at higher Publishing their findings in rates among those with HIV, Clinical Infectious Diseases, including anal cancers (14-fold researchers analyzed data from higher rate), liver cancer (2.91the HIV-AIDS Cancer Match fold higher rate), lung cancer study, including information (1.71-fold higher rate) and about 183,542 people with HIV mouth and throat cancers (1.66who were older than 50 who received medical care for the virus between 1996 and 2012.
fold higher rate). Three cancers occurred at a lower rate among those with HIV compared with the general population, including breast cancer (39 percent lower rate), prostate cancer (53 percent lower rate) and colon cancer (37 percent lower rate). Having received an AIDS diagnosis was associated with between a 1.37-fold and 2.66fold increased risk of KS, non– Hodgkin lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma as well as anal, oral and throat, and lung cancers. For most cancers, people with HIV experienced the highest rates during the first five years after testing positive for the virus, including KS, non– Hodgkin lymphoma, lung cancer, breast cancer and Hodgkin lymphoma.
During a cumulative 928,194 years of follow-up, this population received 10,371 cancer diagnoses, 16 percent of them considered AIDS-related and 84 percent considered nonAIDS- related. Compared with the rates seen in the general population, all
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couples. One such state is New Jersey; the state forbids traditional surrogacy but there is some Importance of “Where” When Considering latitude for Surrogacy gestational By David Vandygriff surrogacy. Gay Choosing to have a family is one couples should not assume of the most joyous and exciting that generally liberal states are decisions an individual will ever favorable; often times the state make. The process can be laws do not reflect the people’s overwhelming at times, as there LGBTQ views. are a multitude of things for gay Some states are neutral. By men to consider when starting omitting regulations, these states this process. Deciding whether leave anyone entering into a to adopt or have a biological surrogacy contract or agreement child is just the beginning. From in a precarious and there, individuals and couples unpredictable situation, but these start to ask “how?” As in, how do states can be amenable to I start the process? How gestational surrogacy. A affordable is this? Once the surprising number of states do decision is made to have a not directly address surrogacy: biological child, the questions Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, lead to “who?” Who will be the Idaho, Montana, North Carolina, egg donor? Who will be the Maine, Massachusetts, gestational carrier? Who will help Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, us with this? Montana, New Mexico, Rhode It is important for gay men to also consider “where?” Laws governing surrogacy vary from state to state, making some states more favorable than others for the LGBTQ community, their gestational carriers, and their unborn child.
First, it is important to understand that some states have laws that are unfavorable for LGBTQ couples. For example, New York and Washington, D.C. forbid surrogacy, and anyone who enters into a surrogacy contract can be fined up to $10,000. Other states are not as definitive in their restrictions, yet the laws can still present issues for 10 www.cityxtramagazine.com
Buzzanca (1998). This is good news for anyone entering a surrogacy contract in these states, gay or straight. Victoria Ferrara, the surrogacy lawyer who represented the father in Raftopol v. Ramey, explains: “Parents don’t want to hear that they will have to adopt their baby after the birth. They will do it if they have to, but it is hard for them to wrap their head around the idea that this isn’t their baby yet. It has practical and emotional implications.” So how does a couple determine “where”? The surrogacy laws are applied based on where the baby is born. Therefore, couples may reside in one state, the gestational carrier in a second state, and the baby can be born in a third state. However, for practical reasons, it is generally recommended that the gestational carrier live in a surrogacy-friendly state.
Of all the questions that arise for gay men who want to start their families, it turns out one of the most important questions is Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming. “where?” Along with reviewing a potential surrogate’s medical and Other states are considered social history, intended parents favorable because of their should also be mindful of the written laws and, in the best state in which she resides. If scenarios, because of court there is a choice between two decisions interpreting and potential carriers with one upholding the laws. For example, residing in a carrier-friendly the Supreme Court of state, this is likely the better Connecticut ruled on Raftopol v. choice. Ramey (2014), where both fathers sought to secure parental rights prior to the birth rather than going through the adoption process upon their birth. Similarly, California law has been reinforced in favor of surrogacy in the California Supreme Court rulings of Calvert v. Johnson (1993) and Buzzanca v.
which included the 20 religious liberty principles. The manual ‘Religious Liberty’ Cases Given update instructs United States Priority By DOJ Attorneys By Michael Hicks Offices to have The Justice Dept. published a "designated religious liberty comemo Wednesday and updated ordinators." the U.S. Attorneys' manual to prioritize religious liberty cases The head of Lawyers' Committee and ensure they are prosecuted for Civil Rights Under Law in a manner consistent with weighed in, calling today's move Sessions' "Principles of "astonishing." Religious Liberty." "Ironically," Buzzfed's Dominic The memo directs U.S. Holden wrote on Twitter, Attorneys to immediately notify "Sessions issued a memo in the Associate Attorney General November rescinding all of lawsuits "raising any 'improper guidance' memos. He significant question concerning killed 25 guidance docs — like religious liberty." It also directs the rights of disabled people and U.S. Attorneys to coordinate with voters. But he's aggressively the DOJ on strategy and even implementing guidance on obtain approval from the DOJ on protecting religious rights." cases involving "the Free Exercise Clause, Establishment The manual's update also Clause, or Religious Freedom republishes Sessions' 20 Restoration Act." Principles of Religious Liberty. It's a follow up to Sessions' sweeping announcement back in October that the DOJ will prioritize religious liberty cases over the rights of LGBT people,
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Among them: "Religious employers are entitled to employ only persons whose beliefs and conduct are
consistent with the employers' religious precepts." The federal government is not allowed "to second-guess the reasonableness of a religious belief." "The freedom of religion extends to persons and organizations." "Americans do not give up their freedom of religion by participating in the marketplace, partaking of the public square, or interacting with government." "The freedom of religion is a fundamental right of paramount importance, expressly protected by federal law."
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Whitty (Avenue Q) the musical includes Go-Go’s hits like Got Peppermint Makes Broadway Debut “We the Beat,” By Jennifer Davis “Head A RuPaul’s Drag Race star is Over Heels” and “Our Lips Are heading to the Great White Sealed,” as well as Belinda CarWay: Peppermint has been lisle singles like “Mad About announced for the cast of Head You” and “Heaven is a Place on Over Heels, a new BroadwayEarth.” bound jukebox musical featuring the music of the The story is an adaptation of Go-Go’s. Philip Sidney’s Arcadia, about a king who is told of a prophecy It’s believed she’ll be the first openly trans woman to originate a principal role on Broadway. Produced by Gwyneth Paltrow, Head Over Heels had its world premiere in 2015 at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. It will debut at San Francisco’s Curran Theater April 10 through May 6, followed by an run at the Hudson Theatre in New York starting June 23. With a book by Tony winner Jeff
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that, within a year, his elder daughter will be stolen away, his younger daughter will engage in an unsuitable love affair, his wife will commit adultery, and a foreigner will sit on his throne. Peppermint is joined in the production by Jeremy Kushnier (Paramour), Rachel York (Disaster!), Alexandra Socha (Spring Awakening), Andrew Durand (Spring Awakening), Taylor Iman Jones (Groundhog Day), Bonnie Milligan (Kinky Boots), and Tom Alan Robbins (The Lion King).
Benefits of Himalayan Pink Salt By Seventh Wonder Spa
Himalayan salt is an amazing natural substance with powerful healing properties. It naturally occurs with over of the trace minerals found in the human body. This includes magnesium, potassium, calcium, chloride, phosphorus, and iron! Consuming Himalayan salt can help to balance the bodys natural pH levels, reduce muscle cramps, balance blood sugar, balance hormones, improve sleep, support weight loss, aid digestion and absorption of nutrients, ward off signs of aging, and more! From a holistic perspective this gift from the divine can help to calm allergies and asthma symptoms due to it's negative ions and is extremely useful for detoxing, but most importantly it can help to filter negative energy out of the area and out of anyone who consumes it or is near it. * Our Himalayan Salt Room: Our Himalayan salt room is gorgeously covered in pure Himalayan salt bricks. It's not just a delectable treat for the eyes; it helps to filter the air and bestows all of its' benefits to those who stay in it for an extended amount of time. The Himalayan salt room is used mainly for couple's treatments but can house any treatment in the spa! If you'd like to reserve the luxuriously healing salt room for your single treatment (facial, massage, etc.) it's only $20 to receive the full benefit.
* Ear Coning: Ear coning dates back to ancient times. The spiral of the cone and the herbal smoke in the ear canal work together to draw out physical and emotional debris. This is very relaxing and non-invasive. The cone is burnt down to about 6" and does not feel hot to the ear. Ear coning is especially soothing for the ear canal, it is anti-inflammatory, a traditional remedy, and is an excellent choice for clearing out your ears. The active force in coning is the smoke spiraling in the ear canal that helps to clear passageways. This natural remedy also soothes lymphatic issues. 20 www.cityxtramagazine.com
Dinah Shore Weekend 2018 By Vickey Newsome
The Dinah, one of the world’s largest events for queer women, is ramping things up this year with a program including film screenings, talkbacks and meet-and-greets, in addition to a packed roster of dance parties and live music acts. “Our diverse and poignant stories must be told,” says Mariah Hanson, founder of Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend. This year, Hanson is partnering with Outfest, Tello Films and LGBT streaming service Revry on the festival.
our shared humanity and in a sense, celebrate what binds us rather than what divides us.”
This year’s Dinah, running March 28 to April 1 in Palm Springs, will include celebrities, producers and pioneers in the LGBT entertainment industry. In addition attendees will be able to meet female filmmakers and talent at an Outfest-sponsored cocktail reception on March 31. Last year, more than 20,000 women descended on Palm Springs for Dinah. This year, performers include Rapsody, Madame Gandhi, Ariana and the Rose, and comedian Suzanne Westenhoffer. “I want music to make feminism culturally relevant,” says Gandhi, a Harvard grad who’s toured with M.I.A. and Ani DiFranco. “I want my music to make gender equality culturally even more relevant.”
“Allowing the world to see an inside view of our beautiful and often challenging LGBTQ lives is one of the best ways we can break barriers, create equality and live in a more tolerant and For more information visit compassionate world,” she says. www.thedinah.com “Our stories connect us through
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because his father came down with bronchitis. Johnson gave a different explanation for Florida GOP & Alt-Right Activist SOTU his appearance By David Vandygrif at the congressional Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz address, saying that while he (Fla.) invited an activist affiliated received invitations from several with the white supremacist members of Congress, he "alt-right" movement to President accepted Gaetz's invitation Trump's State of the Union because "he's into stuff on the address on Tuesday, the Daily issues that I care about, Beast reported Wednesday. " including the cryptocurrency bitcoin and marijuana. Gaetz said that he invited Chuck Johnson to the address when he Johnson runs a crowdfunding "showed up at my office" on site that has raised tens of Tuesday, according to the Daily thousands of dollars for legal Beast report. The congressman, fees related to the white who has risen in prominence supremacist website the Daily amid a Republican push to Stormer, as well as various other release a GOP House figures in the alt-right movement. Intelligence Committee memo on alleged surveillance abuses, said Johnson has also said that the he did not have a pre-existing actual number of Holocaust relationship with Johnson, saying victims is far lower than the that he only had an extra ticket accepted total, and questioned
whether gas chambers were used at Nazi concentration camps, though he maintains that he is not a Holocaust denier. Inviting Johnson to the State of the Union isn't Gaetz's only recent brush with conspiracy theory culture. Earlier this week, Gaetz appeared on prominent pro-Trump conspiracy theorist Alex Jones's online show, Infowars. In his appearance, Gaetz complained about being described as a conspiracy theorist.
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And not only will Cher be offering her one-of-a-kind vocals to the musical offering, but she will also play Sophie’s Cher Sings ‘Fernando’ In Mama Mia Trailer grandmother By Drew Wilson in the film. Oh, Cher.
If she isn’t captivating the Twitterarti with her exuberant emoji usage, she’s taking Trump down with one pertinent comment at a time, then taking herself to Las Vegas for the ultimate showdown. But time doesn’t rest for Cher, which is proven in her scintillating addition to the cast of Mammia Mia! in the film’s eagerly anticipated sequel. Spotted singing Fernando with a voluminous blonde ‘do in the trailer for Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again, it appears that the star will be joining Amanda Seyfried and co. for the second motion picture based on the greatest hits of ABBA.
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However, it is uncertain as to what role Donna, played by Meryl Streep, will take in volume two of the movie. Although she is alluded to in the trailer, there appears to be no current representation of her in the short teaser.
Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgard and Pierce Brosnan, as well as Julie Walters and Christine Baranski. Parts of the storyline have come clear in the clip. Sophie is expecting her first child with husband Sky, played by Dominic Cooper, yet for some unforetold reason, appears to be keeping the news secret. Although January 2018 may have been the longest month in history, we all know there’s not that long to wait for the second edition of the eagerly-anticipated flick.
After all, what’s another six However, Sophie is joined by her months to us after we’ve waited fatherly triumvirate, made up of for a decade?