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The Many Sides of Pride Film Festival 2021 Gym Teacher Who Told School Board He Would Demean Trans Kids Sues Pride Month: The LGBTQ History You Probably Didn’t Learn In School RuPaul’s Drag Race Star Widow Von’Du Arrested For Alleged Domestic Violence Joe Biden Calls For Increased Funds To Fight HIV Lance Bass And Michael Turchin Announce They’re Having Twins
Pride Journey: Palm Springs, California Jacksonville LGBTQ City Guide Restaurant Expertly Handles Homophobic Troll Florida Gov Strips Funding For LGBTQ People From State Budget At Start Of Pride Month
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Pride Month begins in fine form in Jacksonville as the downtown Museum of Contemporary Art plays host to a weekend of LGBTQ films and panel discussions designed to illuminate that rainbow and all that it stands for. The inaugural Many Sides of Pride Film Festival runs Thursday through Sunday. It’s a joint production between MOCA Jacksonville and the LGBTQ Community Fund for Northeast Florida, an offshoot of the Community Foundation created in 2014. Thursday night features “Hurley!”, a 2019 documentary about Hurley Haywood, an out gay man who became a legend in motorsports, winning the 24 Hours of LeMans three times (1977, 1983, 1994) and earning five wins at the 24 Hours of Daytona, almost all while driving for Porsche. The film is followed by a livestream discussion with Haywood and director Derek Hodge. Friday features “Major!” (1 p.m.), the story of the 06 www.cityxtramagazine.com
Johnson’s life just before the violence began; and “Buck” (2020), an exploration of sex work and mental illness. Saturday continues with a 5 p.m. discussion with “Buck” filmmakers Chester Algernal Gordan, Elegance Bratton and Jovan James. “Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen” (2020) shows at 5 p.m., followed by a discussion with director Sam Feder. The festival wraps up Sunday with 2014’s “Mala Mala” (1 Stonewall veteran turned p.m.), a documentary about transgender activist Major drag performers in Puerto Rico, Griffin-Gracy. That film is followed by “Priscilla, Queen of followed by a talk about the the Desert,” starring Guy history of LGBTQ Pearce, Hugo Weaving and representation of cinema with Terence Stamp, which UNF professor Nicholas de achieved mainstream fame Villiers at 3 p.m. That’s followed by another discussion when it premiered way back in 1994. This is followed with a at 4 p.m., centered around discussion of the local drag “The Grey Area,” a stirring study of gender norms created scene at 5 p.m., and festivities by Jacksonville’s own Keagan end with “Glitterbomb,” a live Anfuso. The evening ends with drag show hosted by Bebe 2020’s “Mucho Mucho Amor” (7 Deluxe. p.m.), about the astrologer All programming is free. The Walter Mercado, followed by a venue accommodates 50 discussion with director Walter people. In accordance with Tabsch. UNF protocols; mask wearing is strongly encouraged. Much Saturday begins at noon with of the material, including all of “Saturday Church” (2017), the discussion panels, will be which tells the story of a 14livestreamed for those unable year-old boy reconciling themes of gender identity and to attend. Black culture. This is followed “Jacksonville has not seen an by a wide-ranging discussion LGBTQ film festival in almost with members of JASMYN at 20 years,” said Manuel 1:30 p.m. A Short Film Velasquez, director of student Showcase starts at 3 p.m.; it affairs at the University of North features Kenneth Anger’s Florida LGBTQ Resource infamous “Scorpio RisCenter. “The time has come for ing” (1963); “Happy Birthday, us to be able to enjoy together Marsha!” (2017), a reimagining the films that are part of our of Stonewall leader Marsha P. LGBTQ culture.”
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Gym Teacher Who Told School Board He Would Demean Trans Kids Sues By Bill Downing
A Virginia elementary school physical education teacher is suing after he was placed on paid leave and barred from school grounds because of his refusal to follow school policy because respecting transgender students, he said, is “sinning against our God.”
“Mr. Cross used his constitutional right to speak up,” the suit states. “The core of constitutional liberty in a free society — the ability to comment on public policy under consideration without fear of retaliation — is at stake in this case.” Tanner Cross says he was simply exercising his “freedom His lawsuit claims of speech” when he told the administrators violated his right school board that he would to free speech and his right to Insult and demean transgender the free exercise of religion. He students by refusing to use the demands to be reinstated to his students’ correct names and job and an injunction to prevent pronouns. the district from barring him from school grounds. Cross said he could never “affirm that a biological boy can Cross is being represented by be a girl, and vice versa” during the Alliance Defending testimony before the school Freedom (ADF), a far right board as they considered a outfit that serves as the legal policy change that would arm of the Evangelical religious require instructors to use the right. students’ chosen names and Dozens of states are pronouns. The policy is still in considering and passing the draft stage. legislation to limit LGBTQ – He said it would amount to and particularly transgender – “lying to a child… abuse to a rights, legislation that lawmakchild… and it’s sinning against ers often don’t really our God.” understand or can’t explain how it relates to their state. Two days later, Cross was placed on administrative leave ADF, an SPLC designated hate group, is believed to be behind and barred from the school grounds, school activities, and this effort. school board meetings. ADF is also responsible for this year’s spate lawsuits targeting anti-discrimination legislation,
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filing on behalf of Christian business owners who haven’t even been asked to serve LGBTQ customers but claiming that their religious freedom is impeded by the mere existence of civil rights laws. The act of purposely referring to someone with their pretransition pronouns is known as misgendering and the act of intentionally using someone’s birth name, or name before transition, is known as “dead naming.”
Pride Month: The LGBTQ History You Probably Didn’t Learn In School By Michael Fowler
If you think we live in an open-minded, sex-positive society now, just wait until you hear what may have been going on down the Yorkshire mines in the 1950s. There's a lot of LGBT history many of us don't know. Partly because it wasn't covered in school, partly because so much of it happened in secret. "Even in the 19th century, it's very difficult to talk about gay or lesbian identity," says Harry Cocks, associate history professor at the University of Nottingham. "It didn't really exist, there wasn't really any such thing." Of course, everyone was still at it. The existence of Molly Houses in the 18th century, pubs or coffee-houses (although some just think they were brothels) where men would meet, is well known. It's just that many men who visited them went back to their wives and families afterwards. "People have always challenged gender norms and sexual norms," Prof Cocks 10 www.cityxtramagazine.com
adds. "The idea that you can organize the world around the kinds of desires that you have, I think, is a very recent idea."
doesn't sound very sexy, does it? When it was launched in 1954, gay magazines were a strictly "under the counter" affair. But this publication hid in plain sight on the shelves of UK newsagents in the 1950s. "If you go through it, for many of us, it will tweak our gaydar looking at those 1950s issues because there seems to be more bare-chested men than you'd expect," says Prof Bengry.
Justin Bengry, lecturer in queer history at Goldsmiths University of London, says it's important to present LGBT history as "being part of the ordinary fabric of modern - and not so modern - life". Because so much LGBT history took place behind closed doors, Justin says new stories are being uncovered all the time. Which means there's plenty that could make its way into mainstream education. The Secret Gay Mag Film & Filming magazine -
"Then you get to the personal ads at the back and you start seeing all of these ads for young bachelors looking to meet other young bachelors interested in things like physiques and photography and wrestling and it starts to all come together."
Its editorial team was gay and after the the Sexual Offences Act of 1967, when gay sex was decriminalized in England and Wales, the magazine was able to be more open and feature naked men on the cover. "Prior to that, in the 50s and 60s, you were just interested in film - oh, and there's a lot of men in that film." Grossly Indecent Women
and certainly, they thought in the 20s of women as being of weaker intellect and impressionable in similar ways."
In 1885, "gross indecency" between two men was made illegal - and in 1921, a similar law was discussed for women as well. But this didn't get very far in the House of Lords, partly because they didn't want to discuss the matter and partly because they believed women were so impressionable, if they heard about women having sex with other women, they might want to try it for themselves.
He's talking about a study by Dr Helen Smith at Lincoln University, which discovered that working class men in Yorkshire, during the 1950s were having sex with each other "in fields, behind pubs, at each others houses and, perhaps most significantly, at work." "This is the height of the ideal of monogamous, heterosexual bliss," says Prof Bengry. "What Helen found was that this was acceptable within their communities. "Many of these men were married, many of them had children, and their partners knew they were having sex with other men in the industrial workplace." The research concluded that if their actions at work didn't affect the status of the family, this sort of thing was all ok. "As long as their shenanigans at work didn't disrupt the family, as long as they didn't leave their wives, as long as they didn't leave their children hungry, this could be accommodated within normal heterosexuality in the north in
"They were concerned that all of these innocent-minded women who would never have considered the possibility of any kind of erotic activity between women would now have it suggested to them and would now have opened up to them," says Prof Bengry. "We think of children as as still still forming or impressionable,
Sex In Yorkshire "I don't know who said this, but it seems very true that every generation figures they invented everything about sex," says Prof Bengry. "And that's not the case at all."
the mid-20th century."
Gender Fluid In 1394 "Gender bender, cis-tem offender," rapped Bimini Bon Boulash in the 2021 season of RuPaul's Drag Race UK. They could have been talking about Eleanor Rykenor, who lived centuries ago. Eleanor was arrested near St Pauls Cathedral in London in 1394, caught having sex in an alley with a man called John Rigby. But it was only when they were arrested and the police took testimony from the pair, that they discovered Eleanor was also called John. "They discovered that Eleanor - or John - Rykenor lived this absolutely fantastical life," says Prof Bengry. "Sometimes living as a man, sometimes living as a woman, sometimes having sex with men, sometimes having sex with women, sometimes being paid for it sometimes not - and just living this completely gender fluid life." "That was the better part of 1,000 years ago, and this is someone that was jumping between gender positions and discussing a wide range of sexual partners." He says Eleanor/John's "fantastical life" could "fit into a conversation today in London". The Trans Microchip Mastermind What are you reading this article on right now? Chances are, it's powered by some of the technology that Lynn www.cityxtramagazine.com 11
"Lots of people who've been discriminated against over the aeons are recognized posthumously," Christine adds. "That's all well and good, but it's much nicer actually, if we can be alive to
Conway pioneered in the 1960s, when she worked as a computer scientist for IBM. Lynn's work for IBM was some of the earliest into microchips, but she was sacked when the company found out Lynn was transgender and planned to transition - and her work on the project ended. "Her life's work has made the fact that we're having this conversation on tiny little computers possible," says Christine Burns MBE, activist and author of Trans Britain: Our Journey from the Shadows, tells Newsbeat.
see it." 'Understand Where We've Come From' Prof Cocks says if there was to be more LGBT history taught in British schools, it should also include landmark moments where laws changed - and where lives changed. Moments like the 1957 Wolfenden Report, which recommended decriminalized of gay sex and suggested homosexuality should no longer be considered a disease, or the Sexual Offences Act of 1967, when gay sex was decriminalized in England and Wales. And with knowledge of events like these, Christine says we'd have a better understanding of how society works.
"It's because I think it's such a story of human spirit, against the worst of all odds." Lynn, now 83, was forced to start her career from scratch after her transition, and in 2020, "This goes for all minorities IBM issued an official apology and it goes for women, too, for how she was treated 50 who aren't a minority," she years ago. says. "We deeply regret what you "We cannot understand our went through," said IBM's place as a community of similar senior vice president of human experiences in culture, unless affairs late last year. we understand where we've Christine says Lynn is "a real come from." role model to all of us. 12 www.cityxtramagazine.com
RuPaul’s Drag Race Star Widow Von’Du Arrested For Alleged Domestic Violence By Ericka Baska
RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Widow Von’Du has been arrested and charged for alleged domestic violence against her boyfriend. The drag performer was arrested on Monday (31 May) by the Kansas City Police Department after an altercation with her boyfriend over the weekend. The police told PEOPLE that they responded to a call on Saturday (29 May) around 6pm and “contacted the victim who reported an assault”. Widow Von’Du, who was a contestant on Drag Race season 12, was charged with one count of domestic assault in the first degree and three counts of domestic assault in the second degree. She was released on Tuesday (1 June) after posting bond. Von’Du is due to appear in court on 7 June and is on house arrest in the meantime. She also cannot contact the alleged victim and cannot be in possession of any firearms. A probable cause affidavit, obtained by TMZ, said Von’Du came home early on Friday morning in an “intoxicated state” and was upset to see her 14 www.cityxtramagazine.com
boyfriend sleeping there. The affidavit said the boyfriend claimed he would not leave when I asked notified the Drag Race star that five times, I’m being arrested.” he was going to visit. She continued: “So what I want According to the affidavit, the everyone to see is that I am boyfriend told police that being arrested right now for Von’Du punched him multiple defending myself in my times, strangled him and apartment instead of someone dragged him across the floor. being arrested for violating He said he was also knocked me.” unconscious at one point. A representative for the Kansas TMZ reported the boyfriend City Police Department told eventually was hospitalized PEOPLE that the investigation and received 14 stitches to his into the incident is still ongoing. face and head. The authorities launched a preliminary investigation and found probable cause to get an arrest warrant for Von’Du. However, a video posted by Missouri drag performer Cynthia Doll on Twitter showed Widow Von’Du being arrested, saying that she was “assaulted in my own apartment”. Von’Du said that she was being arrested for “defending myself in my apartment”. “As a Black man in this city, I am being arrested for defending myself in my apartment,” Von’Du said in the video. “And just because his ass got beat up because he
Joe Biden Calls For Increased Funds To Fight HIV By David Johnson
President Joe Biden has requested Congress spend an additional $670 million on measures to fight HIV in the U.S., including access to PrEP and treatment. The White House’s budget proposal for fiscal year 2022 was released this past Friday, and Vox called the $6 trillion proposal an “ambitious plan” that “reimagines how – and for whom – the American economy works.” And that includes how it works for people living with HIV. The $670 million for fighting HIV in the budget increase funding for several programs, including an additional $100 million for the CDC’s efforts to fight HIV and a $85 million increase for the Ryan White CARE Act, which helps low-income and uninsured people access HIV medications. The Biden administration is also requesting $22 million more for Indian Health Services at the Department of Health and Human Services to help provide resources for members of Native American tribes. The budget also asks for $50 million in additional funding for community health centers to provide access to PrEP and more funding for the 16 www.cityxtramagazine.com
Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) program. During his presidential campaign, Biden promised to “re-commit to ending the HIV/ AIDS epidemic by 2025.” His campaign website specifically cited several of the programs that he is requesting increased funding for. The budget is just a proposal and has to be enacted by Congress, and it’s unlikely that it will be passed in its current form. Effectively, it’s a message to Congress about the administration’s priorities and can help build support for spending. And Biden’s proposal has already gotten positive feedback from top Congressional Democrats, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). “A federal budget should be a statement of our national values,” Pelosi tweeted.
“President Biden’s budget is an unequivocal declaration of the value that Democrats place on America’s workers and middle class families, who are the foundation of our nation’s strength and the key to #BuildBackBetter.”
Carl Schmid of the HIV + Hepatitis Policy Institute said that Biden is “demonstrating his commitment to ending HIV in the United States.” “While it falls short of what is needed and the community has requested, if this funding is realized it will continue the momentum already created and make further progress in ending HIV in the U.S. Efforts to end HIV will help eradicate an infectious disease that we have been battling for the last 40 years and help correct racial and health inequities in our nation.”
Lance Bass And Michael Turchin Announce They’re Having Twins By Jennifer Reddish
Former *NSYNC singer Lance Bass and his husband Michael Turchin have announced they will be the fathers to twins later this year. The pair told People Magazine that their most recent attempt at surrogacy succeeded and that the children–a boy and a girl–are due this November. They added that they each donated sperm to each fertilize an egg. “It has been quite the journey,” Bass admitted. “We went through nine different egg donors, which is rare,” Turchin added. “This time around, we had to start all over again from the beginning.”
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“And during a pandemic,” Bass agreed. “I love that our mentality is definitely changing in the community,” Bass elaborated. “There are not many great examples of gay couples having families in the public eye. We knew that we wanted to be very open and transparent with our experience because we wanted gay couples to be able to relate to us and say, ‘Oh my gosh, we’re going through that too.’” In the same interview, Bass said he hoped the babies would arrive early, before Halloween. “They have no choice
but to love Halloween because I’m obsessed and they’re going to be obsessed,” he joked. The pair had also teased their announcement by filming a horror movie trailer and uploading it to TikTok. Earlier this year, the couple had spoken about their earlier, failed attempts at becoming dads through surrogacy. The couple had already gone through nine failed attempts at IVF as well as miscarriages and had opened the door to adoption as an alternative.
and One Eleven Bar, a beautifully decorated space which on the evening Pride Journey: Palm Springs, California of my visit was celebrating By Joey Amato female voices Palm Springs is my happy of the 80s. I sipped a delicious place. The city and the Espresso Rum-tini while surrounding area provide me grooving to music from with the perfect mix of Whitney, Madonna and Tina. relaxation and entertainment. The time change was hitting Having been to Palm Springs me hard, so I decided to retire numerous times prior to this early to my room at Triangle visit, I wanted to partake in Inn and when I say room, I things that I have never tried mean something closer to a 1before, most notably a full body bedroom apartment. The suite massage at El Morocco Inn & contained a full living room, Spa, but we will get to that dining room and kitchen, in later. addition to a king size bed and After checking in to Triangle large walk-in shower. Inn, a lovely mid-century Triangle Inn usually offers a modern gay guesthouse continental breakfast to guests located just one mile from the but current COVID restrictions Arenas Road district, I decided didn't allow them to provide to unwind from my flight and that during my stay, so I take it easy by the pool. I struck grabbed breakfast the next up a wonderful conversation morning at a cute LGBTQwith another guest from Los owned restaurant called Angeles who was in town for Sunshine Café. I don't normally the weekend. Apparently, Palm eat a heavy breakfast but when Springs is his happy place as I saw the Banana Nut well. Everyone I encountered at Pancakes on the menu, I knew the clothing-optional resort was I had to at least give them a try. very friendly and eager to give The extra calories were advice on the hottest spots to definitely worth it. visit during my stay. Today was my Zen day in the I decided to head to Cathedral desert and I heard about this City for happy hour. Before wonderful shop creating Palm Springs became the gay organic skin care products mecca of today, Cathedral City called The Body Deli. The was the epicenter of LGBTQ business uses raw and organic culture in the desert. The area superfoods to create their is home to an array of nightlife products which range from establishments including The facial moisturizers and scrubs Barracks, AMP Sports Lounge to hair shampoo and 20 www.cityxtramagazine.com
conditioner. I sampled a few products while there and you can actually smell the freshness of the foods they use to create the products. The store offers a variety of travel-size skincare kits that are perfect for those out-of-towners looking to bring home some product. My next destination was El Morocco Inn & Spa, located in the town of Desert Hot Springs, known for the mineral properties in its water. I decided to indulge myself with a two-hour Moroccan Mystical Ritual, which begins with dry brushing to stimulate the lymphatic and circulatory system and provide exfoliation. My body was then covered in organic Rhassoul clay from the Atlas Mountains. As I lay on the massage table, the clay began to harden, and I felt like I was wrapped in a cocoon. At times it was a bit uncomfortable, but I knew the end result would be wonderful. I was then asked to jump in the shower to rinse the clay off my body before the Moroccan Rain massage began. This is a process of using a raindrop technique to apply seven different essential oils along the spine, which all aid in detoxification. Feeling refreshed, I was ready to enjoy a night on the town. I met up with my friend Brad Fuhr who publishes the Gay Desert Guide, a one-stop-spot for everything you need to know about LGBTQ culture and nightlife in the Palm Springs area. We enjoyed dinner at Trio, one of my favorite restaurants in the city. I began
almost a year-long hiatus. I was told people from around the world visit Palm Springs specifically to attend T-Dance at Oscar's. Of course, dancing will make you hungry, so for your final meal in the desert, head to Roly China Fusion, a multi-level space which also hosts a weekly Drag Brunch on Sunday. While there, you must try the Lobster Dumplings, which are served in a delicious my meal with the Roasted Beat thinking, midnight is early, but I truffle butter broth with shitake Salad and then ordered the fish was still suffering from jet lag mushrooms and napa cabbage. special, while Brad went for the and had a full schedule of It was one of the best dishes Pesto Crusted King Salmon activities to get to the following I've had in Palm Springs. served over squash and angel day. hair pasta. Consistency is key I woke up early to visit multiple Palm Springs Pride Festival is scheduled to take place this and you can never go wrong public art exhibitions around year on November 6-7. After a with a meal at Trio. the downtown area. The days year off, I'm sure it will be a No visit to Palm Springs would were really starting to heat up very festive occasion. Start be complete without partying and it topped 100 degrees the making plans early as on Arenas Road, the LGBTQ day prior, so I wanted to get to reservations at Palm Springs' cultural and nightlife hub of the the art before the heat became numerous guest houses tend to city. Coincidentally, the owner unbearable. There are many art sell out during this time. If you of Hunter's was in town (there displays and murals around the have never been to Palm is also a Hunter's in Wilton Palm Springs Art Museum that Springs, I'm sure you'll find it to Manors, Florida). Mark Hunter are worth checking out. be your happy place too. To and I had met briefly in Florida If you happen to be in town on learn more, visit many years ago and spent the a Sunday evening, there is no www.visitgreaterpalmsprings.co evening reconnecting. We had better place to be than Oscar's m and to book your Palm such a good time chatting that for their world-famous T-Dance. Springs gaycation, visit before I knew it, midnight had The iconic party takes place www.Orbitz.com/pride. rolled around, and it was time every Sunday from 4-8pm and Enjoy the Journey! for bed. I know what you're recently began again after
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industry. This diverse, welcoming city would truly make a wonderful place to call Jacksonville LGBTQ City Guide home. By David Vandygriff A Few Fun Jacksonville is Florida’s largest Facts About Jacksonville city, with almost a million The Friendship Fountain, residents. It’s also one of the located on Jacksonville's biggest seaports in the state, Southbank Riverwalk is one of earning it the nickname the the most recognizable “First Coast” by many. It’s a landmarks in the city. This city that has many business massive fountain shoots 3400 opportunities, a vibrant arts and culture scene, many won- to 6500 gallons of water into the air each minute and has derful neighborhoods, and a hundreds of multicolored lights growing and thriving LGBTQ which make for a beautiful community. In fact, The spectacle to observe. It is one Advocate recently ranked Jacksonville as one of the “Top of the largest fountains in the 5 Emerging Cities for Gays and world, and certainly worth Lesbians,” and with good rea- seeing when in Jacksonville! son. If you are part of the The Jacksonville Farmers’ LGBTQ community and are Market is the oldest in Florida thinking of making a move to and draws more than 20,000 Jacksonville, you’ll find plenty shoppers each week. Outside to love about it! the main branch of Jacksonville’s Public Library A Look at Jacksonville’s stands a 25-foot tall bronze History owl. The owl was designed by The modern-day history of sculptor Larry Kirkland as a Jacksonville began in the late tribute to Athena, the Greek 18th century when the area goddess of wisdom. was first settled by British Jacksonville’s LGBTQ colonists. By the late 19th century, it had become a winter Community vacation destination for many Jacksonville is a city that loves tourists from the North and and supports its LGBTQ Midwest, and from that time on, community with a variety of and particularly during the 20th resources, including: century, the city experienced PFLAG Jacksonville: PFLAG steady growth. Today, it is a Jacksonville is Jacksonville’s major port for the U.S. Navy, a local chapter of the national thriving metropolis, and a city PFLAG organization, which is with a vibrant arts and culture the largest grassroots scene and a bustling tourist organization of its kind in the
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country. PFLAG is well-known for its mission of supporting LGBTQ people, friends, family, and allies across the country in a wide variety of ways. With 500 chapters and more than 200,000 members in the United States, PFLAG plays a critical and important role in providing advocacy, support, and resources to the LGBTQ community. Jasmyn: Jasmyn is an LGBTQ youth community center serving youth, friends, and allies in the Jacksonville area. With a mission of supporting and empowering LGBTQ youth, the group offers event-planning, health services, activities, support, and safe spaces for youth to feel celebrate and supported for who they truly are. What's the Weather Like in Jacksonville? Jacksonville has fairly mild weather year-round, except for summers, which can get quite warm. Highs in the summer can often reach above 90°F, but in the winter the average lows are often only in the mid-40s. The city receives a considerable amount of rain each year – an average of 50 inches, in fact – and no snow. For those who enjoy plenty of sunshine, they are sure to find it in Jacksonville – the city has an average of 221 sunny days each year. The Best Events in Jacksonville Jacksonville Light Boat Parade: The Jacksonville Light Boat Parade is an annual Jacksonville tradition that you
won’t want to miss. Each year, it is a holiday favorite, and a time when boats of all shapes and sizes are decorated for the holidays as they float along the banks of the St. John’s River for residents and visitors alike to enjoy. Even better, the event ends with one of the best fireworks shows in the city each year. River City Pride: Also known as Jacksonville Pride, River City Pride is an annual weekend-long pride festival and parade that celebrates Jacksonville’s LGBTQ community and all that it adds to the city. Whether you enjoy family-friendly activities, parties, parades, networking opportunities, or a little bit of everything, this is one event you’ll definitely want to put on your calendar. Stonewall Sports League: Stonewall Sports Host numerous seasons focused on outdoor sports held at Willowbranch Park. Rainbow Awards Show: Rainbow Awards Show celebrates the most OUTstanding LGBTQ in Jacksonville by the presentation of honorees and almost 50 awards annually. Where to Live in Jacksonville When considering where to live in Jacksonville, you’ll have many wonderful options to choose from. A few neighborhoods that you may want to look at include: Riverside: If you're looking for a great LGBTQ neighborhood in the city, you will definitely
want to look in Riverside. This neighborhood is home to a LGBTQ community center and is also where the annual pride parade is held. The median list price of homes currently for sale in Riverside is approximately $333,000. San Marco: San Marco is an older and sophisticated area of the city which is located on the south bank of the St. John’s River, and which has many upscale business and old plantation-style homes which have been turned into apartments, or vacation and retirement homes for wealthy residents. It also has a great deal of architecture with an Art Deco flair, and homes in a wide variety of price ranges. The median list price of homes currently for sale in San Marco is about $380,00. Old Ortega: Old Ortega and Ortega Forest is another very welcoming and beautiful neighborhood in the city. Many of the homes in this area are part of the National Registry of Historic Districts. The places here are large Southern–style mansions and turn-of-thecentury homes and are considered to be some of the most beautiful and luxurious places opt live in Florida. The median list price of homes currently for sale in Old Ortega
is around $480,000. Arts and Entertainment The Florida Theatre: The Florida Theatre is a historic American movie theater that has been entertaining Jacksonville residents and visitors alike for almost 100 years. Originally opened in 1927, the theater is on the National Register of Historic Places and is known for hosting a variety of performances and special events each year. Truly, there is something here for everyone to enjoy! The Cummer Museum: The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens is the largest fine arts museum in the area. Established in 1958, it is known for its excellent collection of art, as well as its stunning gardens. Whether indoors or out on a beautiful Jacksonville day, there is much to enjoy here. Parks and Recreation Ponte Vedra Beach: Jacksonville is a beautiful coastal city, and one of its most beautiful beaches is Ponte Vedra. www.cityxtramagazine.com 19
Located 18 miles southeast of downtown Jacksonville, this scenic stunning beach is a great place to enjoy surf, sand, and sun on a beautiful Jacksonville day. Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens: The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is a beautiful space of over 100 acres, with more than 2000 animals, and 1000 plant species for visitors to enjoy. It is a beautiful space that is a wonderful option for spending the day begin
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educated, inspired, and entertained. Jacksonville Nightlife InCahoots Nightclub: InCahoots is one of the most popular LGBTQ nightclubs in the Jacksonville area. Known for its excellent drag shows, talented DJs, dancing, and friendly crowds, it’s a perfect spot to spend a night out having fun in the city.
spacious patio, great DJs, strong drinks, and friendly crowds. Metro Nightclub: Metro is Jacksonville’s largest gay nightclub operating with 6 different bars within one and two outdoor patio. Weekly drag show hosted.
Hamburger Mary’s: Hamburger Mary’s is Jacksonville’s newest location with the cities most spectacular Park Place Lounge: Park Place Lounge is a very popular drag shows with entertainers gay bar offering pool tables, a from around the World.
Restaurant Expertly Handles Homophobic Troll By Jason Griffin
A restaurant expertly dealt with peak snowflakery after a homophobic troll imploded at the sight of their new Pride-themed milkshake.
“We support all people being comfortable and loved exactly as they are,” they Fresh Carnival in wrote. “If that means losing Saskatchewan, Canada, your business, we’re OK with shared a picture of the new shake on Tuesday (1 June) to that. Have a great night.” celebrate the beginning of Later the restaurant shared the Pride month. exchange on Facebook, stating: “This is why there is a The delicious white chocolate Pride month.” creation is covered with rainbow sprinkles and topped “We will continue to support the with mini sugar cookies – but LGBT2S+ community and we the message they got in won’t mind if those who don’t, response wasn’t quite as take their bigotry elsewhere,” sweet. they added. “STOP SUPPORTING THE Beata Kowalski, owner and FREAKS!!!!!!” spewed a troll in president of Fresh Carnival, screenshots shared on social said it was “super shocking” to media. see the message in her The owners responded politely, inbox – and for her, the issue hit close to home. inquiring if the homophobe wanted to place an order. “Personally, I enjoyed “Have a wonderful day,” they heterosexual freedom for most said. of my life and then came out Unfortunately, this only seemed eight years ago or so,” she told to enrage the person further. “U Global News. LOST MY FAMILY’S BUSI“I feel entitled to freedom to NESS SINCE U R FREAK love, to be happy, and now it’s LOVERS!!!!” the caps lock the same thing for me. I’m sort warrior cried. of in a weird position where it’s really shocking.” Fresh Carnival cut them off there with a simple yet classy But as shocked as she and her response. staff were to have received the message, Kowalski said they 26 www.cityxtramagazine.com
were even more surprised by the outpouring of support they received in response. “I am about as plain Jane as it comes. I am a straight caucasian guy from farming roots. Love is love and I will be checking out the location for the first time,” wrote one man. “Keep up the great work and supporting equality and kindness in this world.” “You may have lost their business BUT you gained the business of my family, friends, and workplace!!” commented another. “Hatred is weakness, Love is powerful.” Kowalski is thrilled by the new business and hopes other LGBT+ locals will take strength from the messages of love from their community. “It feels so good because for us, we’re very comfortable with who we are and where we’re at, our little bubble is very beautiful but for other people to look into that and see so much support for this is just so needed,” she said.
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Center Orlando executive director. The center runs the assistance fund. Florida Governor Strips Funding For LGBTQ People From State Budget “Gov. At Start Of Pride Month DeSantis By David Vandygriff vetoed $1.5 billion in total, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) which included dozens of line slashed funding for LGBTQ items. Although the specific issues from the state budget on earmark for Pulse survivors the second day of Pride Month. was among those items veThe move erased earmarks to toed, the funding is not going support homeless and abused away,” said DeSantis Press youth. It also cut funds that Secretary Christina Pushaw. provided mental health “Gov. DeSantis has been a services to survivors of the Pulse nightclub mass shooting. champion on mental health since day one — and he On the first day of Pride Month, absolutely supports every the ardent Trump supporter Floridian who has experienced signed a law that would ban such horrific trauma, which has transgender girls from playing a lifelong impact on survivors. school sports. To this end, the new budget The cut slashed $150,000 ensures that Floridians in need earmarked for the Orlando — including LGBTQ Floridians United Assistance Center to — will be able to access vital provide mental health services support and resources.” for the Pulse victims. The “Let’s be clear about what this governor’s office said in a is: Gov. DeSantis has declared statement that there are other war on Florida’s LGBTQ ways for them to access community,” Brandon Wolf, a services despite the state’s survivor of the shooting, said. abysmal record on providing “Before the 2019 basic healthcare services to Remembrance Ceremony, minority groups. Gov. DeSantis stood on “Yesterday marked the first day hallowed ground, steps from of Pride Month, and Gov. where I escaped the building in DeSantis has once again 2016, and promised me that he proved that he is one of the would always support those of most homophobic and us impacted by the Pulse transphobic governors in the nightclub shooting,” Wolf said. United States,” said George A. “Today, almost two years later Wallace, LGBT+ to date, he vetoed mental health services for us. I will
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never forget.” DeSantis also cut $750,000 meant for the Zebra Coalition to provide critically needed care for abused and abandoned LGBTQ youth. “This money would have helped LGBTQ+ youth facing homelessness, bullying, isolation from their families, physical and sexual abuse, and drug abuse,” said Heather Wilkie, Zebra Coalition executive director. “We were planning to expand our housing capacity from 11 to 35 beds for homeless youth and were honored for the support of so many of our state legislators. Now we’re unsure where the money will come from.” “Vetoing funding for Pulse survivors days before the 5 year remembrance is heartless. Vetoing funds for LGBTQ homeless youth is indefensible,” out state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith (D) tweeted. “During Pride 2021 following your attack on trans youth? Gov. Ron DeSantis what did LGBTQ people do to you to earn your contempt?”
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