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Gay Bishop Marries In Tornoto By Andrew Jackson
HIV+ Have Higher Rates Of Cancer By Drew Davis
Ricky Martin & Husband Announce Baby Girl By Lucy Garcia
Ball Icon Grandfather Xtravaganza Has Died By Dee Zimmerman
Big Freedia ‘My Voice Is All I Need To Break Barriers’
Publisher/Executive Editor David Vandygriff Dvandygriff @cityxtramagazine.com Editor In Chief Harvey Carr hcarr@cityxtramagazine.com Director of Sales Carlos Martinez Sales@cityxtramagazine.com Creative Designer Debbie Johnson Djohnson @cityxtramagazine.com
By Jolie Gibson
The Girl Named Kevin In Pantene TV Ad By Elizabeth Rutherford
Celine Dion At Lady Gaga’s Vegas Residency By Michael Daniels
Beginners LGBT Travel Bucket Level By David Vandygriff
Religious Right Thinks The Blue Wave Failed By David Vandygriff
Madonna Turned Up At Stonewall Inn NYE By Jennifer Attiah
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Gay Bishop Marries In Toronto By Adam Jackson
within the church, Colin Johnson, who is the Archbishop of Toronto, also attended the ceremony.
An Anglican gay bishop has married his partner surrounded Bishop Kevin and Mohan have by friends and family at a been a couple since 2009. cathedral in Toronto. Their relationship was blessed in 2016 according to the Bishop Kevin Robertson has Pastoral Guidelines of the married his partner Mohan Diocese of Toronto, but, after Sharma at St James Cathedral this week’s ceremony, are now in the Canadian city.
officially married. The couple’s union provide a boost to LGBTI Christian keen to see more equality within their religion. However, gay marriage in general continues to be a thorny and controversial issue within the Christian church. However, we couldn’t be happier for the couple and their families and wish them a long and happy marriage.
Bishop Susan Bell of the Diocese of Niagara carried out the ceremony, which took place on 28 December. The Diocese of Toronto posted a notice congratulating the couple. The missive noted that the pair were married in the presence of their two children, families and friends. In a sign of shifting attitudes
STD & Oral HIV Testing Every Second Tuesday of Each Month By The AIDS Healthcare Foundation
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HIV+ Have Higher RatesBy Drew Of Davis Cancer While it has been known for some times that there was an increased risk of cancer for those dealing with HIV, the mechanism behind the link have not been well understood.
these cancers. “People living with HIV/AIDS on antiretroviral therapy have increased risk of non-AIDS-defining cancers (NADCs). However, the underlying mechanism for development and progression of certain NADCs remains obscure,” explained the researchers.
These exosomes help stimulate cancer group in people dealing with HIV, and help promote the invasion and migration of cancerous cells in the body. This not only increases the chance of cancer in HIV-positive people, but also increase the chance of death from these cancers amongst HIV-positive people.
According to the National Cancer Institute, people who are HIV positive are 500 times more likely to be diagnosed with Kaposi sarcoma, 12 times more likely to be diagnosed Enter a new study, published with non-Hodgkin’s in Nature, that uncovered just lymphoma, and, in women, how two common, aggressive three times more likely to be cancers use HIV-infected “Here we show that exosomes diagnosed with cervical T-cell exosomes to make released from HIV-infected cancer. cancer even more aggressive. T-cells and those purified from blood of HIV-positive patients Cancer remains one of the Researchers were able to stimulate proliferation, leading causes of death uncover the ways T-cells play migration and invasion of oral/ among people who are HIV a role in proliferating cancer. oropharyngeal and lung positive. cancer cells.” “The cells in question release exosomes into the bloodstream—think small nanoparticles—that don’t cause cancer, but they support it,” said the study’s author and principal Investigator, Ge Jin, via press release. “In other words, the cancer grows faster and more aggressively in patients with HIV.” Researchers explored head and neck cancers in 18 HIVpositive patients and discovered that the exosomes in HIV-1-infected T-cells were aiding the progression of 08 www.cityxtramagazine.com
Ricky Martin & Husband Announce New Baby Girl By Luch Garcia
Husbands Ricky Martin and Jwan Yosef used the holiday to make a very special announcement: The pair welcomed their baby daughter, Lucia Martin-Yosef, into the world. On Instagram, Martin, who revealed that he’d officially tied the knot with Yosef in January 2018, shared an adorable photo of them holding their baby girl’s hands.
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“We are beyond happy to announce that we have become parents to a beautiful and healthy baby girl, Lucia Martin-Yosef,” the Assassination of Gianni Versace star wrote to his followers.
identical post to his Instagram account, too.)
As for Lucia’s older brothers, Martin’s twin sons Matteo and Valentino? Martin says all of the Martin-Yosefs are already completely smitten with the newest member of the fam: “Both her beautiful brothers and me and Jwan have fallen in love with Lucia.”
He added that it’s been a “special time” for him and Yosef, and they can’t wait to see “where this stellar baby will take us.” (Yosef shared an Congratulations to the happy couple, and Happy New Year!
Ball Icon Grandfather Xtravaganza Has Died By Dee Zimmerman
Hector Xtravaganza, the “Grandfather” of the legendary House of Xtravaganza, has died at the age of 60. The news of his passing was announced via the House of Xtravaganza’s Facebook page. “He was a friend to everyone he met, a source of inspiration for all who knew him, and a cornerstone of our House family,” read the post.
Grandfather Hector Xtravaganza. – Our Lady J @ourladj RIP Hector Xtravaganza. – Laverne Cox @LavernCox
father from 1993-1997 and 1999-2003. He became the House Grandfather after 2003. Some you meet & make a soul The House of Xtravaganza connection. When I met Hector made ball culture history by Xtravaganza I called him being the first Latino house in Abuelo. He embraced me & the primarily African-American said, “I have a new grandson.” I New York ball scene. Hector was a legend in the didn’t know my grandfathers so New York ball scene, and was having him meant the world. “It’s the opportunity of a featured in the iconic His last text to me was “I’m lifetime,” Hector told Them documentary, Paris is Burning. proud of you.” I’m proud of you earlier this year about being a He was most recently a contoo. ❤️ #RIP – Steven Canals consultant on Pose. sultant on the FX series, Pose. @StevenCanals Members of the Pose creative “With Ryan Murphy, how am I team, including Our Lady J and Hector Xtravaganza Has Left going to say no? That’s the Steven Canals, and other For Paris – RuPaul @RuPaul best decision I’ve made in my celebs like RuPaul, tweeted life,” he explained. “I wouldn’t about his passing: According to Variety, Hector have let this go for anything. was born Hector Crespo, but Like my grandmother always The world lost a bright light legally changed his last name said, if a door closes, liquify today. Rest In Peace, to Xtravaganza, and was house yourself and ooze your way in.”
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ass while doing it.
homophobia. Now I can express myself, make my music how I want. I choose my visuals how I want. I don’t have to ask anybody for permission. Your music and your personality make people (including me) feel hype and really inspired. I want to know, who inspires you? My biggest inspiration was my mom, whom I lost to cancer [in 2014]. My mom helped me to become free when she accepted me for who I was and really embraced me. That helped me to start being myself and be unapologetic about living my life and just doing what I wanted to do. And being a young person growing up in New Orleans and having a mom who was [such a] big cheerleader, that’s what helped me to live out loud and be who I am now. Most people know you from being featured on songs with Drake and Beyoncé. Does it bother you that people can hear your voice on these popular tracks but they don’t get to see you in the equally popular videos? Of course, I feel like I should get more visibility. Who wouldn’t want to be in a Beyoncé or Drake video? But I mean, I’m just happy to be a part of those projects. It’s a starting point. It takes baby steps and it has been taking baby steps throughout my whole career.
So, who is Big Freedia? I am Big Freedia, Queen Diva, Big Freedia ‘May Voice Is All I born and raised Need To Break Barriers’ in New Orleans. I By Jolie Givson am the queen of bounce. I am the Big Freedia did not come to ambassador sent to popularize play with you hoes, as she’d the music outside New say. She came to break Orleans, take it out in the world barriers and make noise and and show people the culture of live out loud. Really loud. New Orleans. You may have heard her I want to be known and booming vocals on hit songs remembered for my influence like Beyoncé’s black girl [to] bounce music and music in anthem, “Formation,” or general. [I want] to be a very Drake’s new summer single, “Nice for What,” but she’s way influential artist who makes more than a disembodied voice people happy through their music and through twerking. To on a track. She’s the reigning queen of New Orleans bounce make people be themselves music with hit songs of her own and be free and be happy with their lives. like “Excuse,” “Drop” and “Rent.” What is bounce music and who is it for? And believe it or not, Queen Bey and Champagne Papi are Bounce is up-tempo, just the tip of the iceberg for heavy-bassed, call-andBig Freedia. With her EP “3rd response-type music. It is a Ward Bounce” dropping at the subgenre for hip-hop based out beginning of this month and her of New Orleans. world tour kicking off soon, I create music for myself first of she’s just getting started. all because if I’m not happy Big Freedia has overcome with the music I violence, adversity and the create, I can’t make anybody tragic loss of her greatest else happy. I create for the cheerleaders and has proved platforms that I need to speak she’s an unstoppable force of to and not just the LGBTQ positivity and pride. She is on a audience, but also for people mission to increase LGBTQ who just love to live their life visibility, to challenge out loud. stereotypes about queer artists And I create just for inspiration and to encourage everyone [for] who hears her voice to live people of color. I come from a I’m getting more recognition their best life and shake their and, you know, everything is community plagued with so not always visual. I tell people much poverty and violence and 16 www.cityxtramagazine.com
all the time, “I may not be in the reason, it was such a blessing video, but as long as that check for a straight male to want to work with a gay artist and not came, I’m good, I’m OK!” worry about what the world has I’m breaking barriers. I’m really to say. one of the first out, gay artists You’ve had some enviable to work with two of the most collaborations. What’s next? huge artists in the music Who else would you like to industry. That’s a big collaborate with? accomplishment, you know? You may not see me visually I’ve been dying to do but as long as you hear this something with Ms. Patti voice. They gonna find out who LaBelle because she is so I am one way or another. iconic. I grew up listening to her with my mom in the What’s the biggest barrier that you feel you have yet to house. She is such a big inspiration to me. break through? People think because I’m black I would love to do something with many artists, you know: and gay that I won’t Fantasia, Cardi B, Lil Wayne, get to the next level. The next J.Lo, Alicia Keys, Jennifer level is when I have truly Hudson. There’s so many of proved them wrong. them! All of them are iconic in People are still scared of their own way and to working with a gay artist. collaborate with any of those They’re so scared of what artists of that magnitude would people are going to say. As be such an honor for me soon as somebody because I grew up listening to collaborates with a gay them. person, it’s, “Oh, they must be sleeping with each other.” You When celebrating Pride under the theme “The future know, just a lot of bullshit . is queer.” What does a queer I never even got with Drake in future look like to you? person but just for him to want More visibility, more people to work with me for whatever living out loud, more people
joining the force of the movement and making a statement. Back when I was growing up, people were not very accepting of gay people and now you see gay people on so many different talk shows, so many different TV series. I mean, baby, we are pushing through and we are breaking barriers and we letting them know that we’re here and we’re here to stay! And what makes you feel Pride? To me, Pride means being who you are, being yourself, being free, living your best life, not being apologetic and just showing your true colors. Feeling the rainbow, honey, and feeling every color in it! I feel proud every day that I open my eyes and I feel grateful that I’m still living and can still have a platform to tell my story. I’m so happy to be able to represent the LGBT community. I just want everyone to just be free. Free like Freedia. www.cityxtramagazine.com 17
The Girl Named Kevin In Pantene TV Ad By Elizabeth Rutherford
During Transgender Awareness week, haircare company, Pantene, has released a moving TV ad telling trans people they are beautiful. The ad stars trans beauty queen, Kevin Balot and shows a boy in his childhood and teen years looking unhappily into a mirror. As a teenager he is embraced by a maternal figure who flips the mirror to show the reflection as a young woman. Then the boy walk towards Balot who tells him (and all trans people watching): ‘When they don’t seem to understand you, there will be other who do. Find them.’
photo of Balot as a child and then flips to a photo of her in a beauty queen outfit. #StrongerTogether Advertising company Campaigns and Grey made the video for Pantene as part of its #StrongerNow campaign. ‘It’s wonderful to see our clients use their powerful platform to push inclusivity,’ said Campaign and Grey’s chief creative officer Eugene Demata.
Pantene’s brand manager, Jan Ang also added: ‘The brand’s #StrongerNow ‘Everything beautiful about campaign speaks to a broad you has nothing to do with audience by advocating your gender. The journey turning struggles into won’t be easy, but I know you strengths — regardless of will be stronger,’ Balot says. gender.’ The three young people then join Balot and their names and ages flash on the screen. The four walk away smiling.
‘If you really listen, you will probably find Kevin’s words comforting, helpful, and true for your own life’s struggles.’
Finally, the ad finishes on a
Balot took to social media to celebrate the ad.
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‘Our very own existence is the proof of our greatness. We were born a winner, a warrior, and a survivor,’ she wrote. ‘As Pantene celebrates strength in everyone and in every gender. We should be reminded to use our struggle in life as a weapon for us to win in every battle. ‘Remember, we are stronger. No matter what happens.’ It is not the first time Pantene celebrated the trans community. In August this year it released a similar campaign in Thailand.
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minute of it.
Celine Dion At Lady Gaga’s Vegas Residency By Michael Daniels
During the show, Gaga pointed out Dion’s presence, leaving her blushing and pointing to the stage.
Celine Dion was in attendance at Lady Gaga’s Enigma concert Gaga then noted that prior to on Sunday night, and she her performance the veteran showed ALL the way up. queen came backstage to pray with her and her crew, and Dion, who is set to end her own offer her support. Las Vegas residency this upcoming June, after a 17-plus “That is how amazing she is. year run, offered her When she was asked if she enthusiastic support from the had any advice for me in Las rafters during what was Gaga’s Vegas, she said I didn’t need it third night of her first Vegas because I was strong and I residency, at the Park MGM knew what I was doing,” Gaga resort. shared. okay? You are amazing.” Fans captured video of the legendary songstress dancing and singing along to Gaga’s hits with no inhibitions, and they, like her, were loving every
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“And, oh my God, I swear to you, the number of women that I can count on one hand that are supportive in this industry, it’s like I would lose fingers,
After the performance, Gaga took to her Instagram stories feed to share a picture of herself and the words, “I love you Celine!”
is, sadly, true, places like this are beacons of hope. The Stonewall Inn was the catalyst to the Beginner’s LGBT Stonewall Travel Bucket List Riots, which By David Vandygriff truly ignited the battle for No one needs to tell you that LGBTI rights in the US and traveling is one of the most across the West. Every queer exciting things you can do. But traveler, young and old and of in a world as scary as ours, any gender, has to take a going out and exploring for the pilgrimage to this holy site. first time can be truly daunting. Especially if you have no idea It also really helps that it can be where to go. found in New York City, one of the most spectacular cities in Yet something being scary is the entire world. no reason not to jump right in and see what this big ridiculous 2—March in Asia’s biggest world has in store for you. Pride | Taipei Pride, Taiwan Whether you want to club around the world, see its natural wonders, or immerse yourself in culture, this beginner’s LGBT travel bucket list is the best place to start.
3—Discover America’s homegrown LGBTI hot spot | Boystown, Chicago, USA
1 - A pilgrimage to The Stonewall Inn | New York City, US
4 - Australian Pride, but not like you’ve ever experienced | Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, Australia
The biggest LGBTI pride festival in Asia is a sight every queer traveler should see. The parade, held on the last Saturday in October, really showcases why Taipei is probably the best city in Asia for LGBTI rights. Fun, welcoming, and downright gorgeous, it centers around the Queer history can sometimes main parade, with be just a long list of all the performances from local terrible things that have celebrities and activists happened to us. And while that reminding you why you’re really there. A testament to how good a pride can be. 22 www.cityxtramagazine.com
The Windy City is host to the US’s best gay district, making it one of those places all gay people should visit. Boystown is known across the world for standing firm against the erosion of explicitly queer areas. There are dozens of bars – from Progress to Sidetrack – allowing you to unleash your gay side with the strength that only Americans can provide. The restaurants are great, too, so check out Wood and Home Bistro for Michelin-nodded eateries.
Sydney Mardi Gras is like an atomic bomb of queer energy. Set over twelve nights, queer artists and revelers descend on the city, bringing everything
from burlesque, drag queens, talks, art, and one hell of a party. It might be a bit overwhelming, but once that parade starts, you’ll truly understand why Australians have a reputation for parties.
The biggest festival for gay and bisexual women is everything you could have hoped for. Think pool parties, think spectacular talent on stage, think amazing DJs, and think of it all under the beautiful Palm Springs sun. 7—Enjoy a gay clubbing masterclass | Gran Canaria
9—Strip off at Haulover Gay Nude Beach | Florida, USA
5—Go to your first gay beach | Playa los Muertos gay beach, Mexico Going to a gay beach has to be on your gay travel bucket list, so you might as well go for one of the best. You can head out into the sand and swim in those sapphire seas if you want, but a lot of people come here to party. Head to areas like the Sapphire Beach Club to get cocktails served by hunky waiters, while other places will have the music turned up. No matter what, the scenery is going to be pretty intense.
6—Unleash your wild side with queer women at The Dinah | Palm Springs, USA
San Francisco is one of the world’s gay holy cities, featuring a spectacular scene and a colorful history. But among the clubs and restaurants and the LGBTI community, they also have one of the States’ best landmarks: the Golden Gate Bridge. The best way to experience it is by bike. So put your helmet on and absorb the views and engineering wonderment in this wonderful city.
There’s no other clubbing scene in Europe quite like Gran Canaria, making it the ultimate travel bucket list destination for partying souls. The sheer breadth of gay bars is pretty fantastic, and all of it is a little bit silly. But with the glorious resorts, amazing beaches, and general accessibility, it also makes it one of the easier clubbing destinations to go to.
Stripping completely naked in front of strangers can be nerve-wracking for anyone – which is why people normally go to dark rooms, not 8—Cycle across the Golden underneath-the-burning-hotGate Bridge in San Francisco sun rooms. But Haulover in | USA Miami is the only naturist beach in the State… and it also happens to be one of the friendliest you can go to. There are mixed areas, so have to travel north on this busy beach to find the gay area. And you never know, you might just find it truly freeing. www.cityxtramagazine.com 23
“It’s very clear that we have significantly strengthened our position in the Senate, which was our sole focus,” Religious Right Thinks The Brown still crowed. Blue Wave Failed By David Vandygriff It is true that the turnout for Conservative evangelicals are the midterm elections was far the core of Donald Trump’s higher than anyone anticipated. support, so it’s no surprise that In general, turnout was they turned out in force for the strongest among white, older midterm elections. Certainly, voters, which is a pretty good religious right leaders were description of many evangelical hardly shy about claiming credit Christians. for Republican victories To bolster its boasting, FFC (without pointing out just how released a survey which limited in number they were). purports to show that record “I think the White House and numbers of conservative the RGA [Republican Christian turned out to support Governors Association] and the the GOP. The survey found National Republican Senatorial that 35 percent of the Committee and certainly Ron electorate self-identified as DeSantis and Rick Scott are conservative Christians, and very grateful tonight that the these voters cast 86 percent of rapture didn’t happen before their ballots for Republicans the early voting began because and only 12 percent for if it had, they would have lost in Democrats. a landslide,” Ralph Reed of the However, those numbers look Faith and Freedom Coalition awfully inflated. Other exit polls (FFC) told CBN. “The evangelicals delivered this vote find nowhere near as many self -identified Christians. ABC in a big way.” News pegged the number at 27 Brian Brown, head of the dead- percent, consistent with past but-not-buried National elections. Organization for Marriage, proclaimed that his group had Moreover, CNN’s preliminary analysis found that successfully “targeted” three self-identified evangelicals losing Democratic Senators. voted for Republicans about 75 It’s fair to see that the three— Claire McCaskill, Joe Donnelly percent of the time. Twenty two percent of the time, they voted and Heidi Heitkamp—didn’t need NOM’s imaginary clout to for Democrats, underscoring the fact that the evangelical do them in. movement isn’t entirely 24 www.cityxtramagazine.com
synonymous with the right. That’s a drop from the estimated 81 percent who voted for Trump in 2016. The claims of victory also hide another problem: the religious right is shrinking. As a percentage of the population, there are fewer conservative Christians now than there were just two years ago. There will be even fewer by the time the 2020 vote rolls around. No amount of voter turnout can overcome that demographic reality. That doesn’t mean that the religious right won’t be a political force to reckon with. But it does mean that conservative evangelical leaders may have to rethink their strategy. They can make soothing noises, like the American Family Association is, about wanting to “unify” the nation, which flies in the face of Trump’s MO. Or they can double down on the us vs. them mentality, like the Family Research Council, which used Democratic advances in the midterms to plead for more money from its followers. In the meantime, though, the religious right will happily take a victory lap. Whether they deserve it is an entirely separate question.
Madonna Turned Up At Stonewall Inn NYE By Jennifer Attiah Madonna made a surprise appearance at New York City’s iconic Stonewall Inn on New Year’s Eve. The original Queen of Pop made an appearance at the gay bar, which was made a National Monument by President Barack Obama in 2016 to recognize its role at the origin of the LGBT+ rights movement. The packed crowd at the venue were stunned by the unannounced appearance, as Madonna delivered an emotional speech about LGBT+ equality. Madonna Paid Tribute To The LGBT+ Community She said: “I stand here proudly at the place where pride began, the legendary Stonewall Inn, on the birth of a new year. “We come together tonight to celebrate 50 years of revolution, 50 years of freedom fighting, 50 years of blood, sweat, and tears. Can I get an amen? 26 www.cityxtramagazine.com
“50 years of sacrifice, 50 years of standing up to discrimination, hatred and, worst of all, indifference. And it all started here, at Stonewall. “Let us never forget the Stonewall riots and those who bravely stood up and said, ‘enough.’ “Enough brutality. Enough violence inflicted on this community. Enough stigmatism. Enough pain and suffering.
Madonna also surprised the crowd with a performance of “Like A Prayer” as well as Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling In Love,” accompanied by her youngest son David. The star has been an unwavering LGBT+ ally across her decades-spanning career, most notably including a leaflet with facts about the AIDS crisis in every copy of her 1989 album Like a Prayer.
In her speech, Madonna said: “”I have had the privilege of using my art as a vehicle for “Our brothers and sisters change. To provoke, to inspire, before us weren’t free to to wake people up, and to bring celebrate like we are tonight, the LGBTQ community with and we must never forget that.” me.” She added: “Stonewall has become a critical turning point in history, catapulting LGBTQ rights into public conversation, and awakening gay activism. F**k yeah!” As the clock ticked closer to midnight, the star described 2018 as a “b***h” of a year, adding: “Aren’t we happy to say, ‘goodbye b***h!'”
“There is so much destruction in the world, but you cannot stop art, and creation always wins in the end. As we move forward, let’s not forget the work we had to do from the ground up. “We must never forget where we’ve been. and the challenges and roadblocks along the way. We must never forget where we came from.”