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You Are Worthy - Dr. Harvey Carr
Legal: Immigration Part 1 - Attorney Gordon Nicol
6 Reasons to Rethink HIV -Tyler Curry
City Council: James Eddy -David Vandygriff
Jax Aquarium - David Vandygriff
Madonna Concert Dates - James Smith
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 Best Friend Must Die - John Jacobs
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) 551-2048 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 Norm’s Alibi: 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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YOU ARE WORTHY By Dr. Harvey Carr I know the heart-ripping hopelessness of a relationship unraveling – the silence, the rejection, the harsh words, the absence of intimacy, the questions, the lack of answers, the hurt. Our relationships are extremely difficult when we rush head-long into them without getting to fully know one another. Those relationships begin as a coming together with loads of baggage, unrealistic expectations and extremely strong wills, usually out of desperation to feel loved and accepted.
you get your worst. On top of all the hurt and anxiety you layer regret, shame and the feeling that you’ve lost yourself. You’ve lost that person inside who used to be so positive and happy and ready to take on the world.
My heart aches for anyone in a relationship that’s Can I whisper a tender truth to you? The only way struggling. Many of us have been there. to recapture that person is to come up for air and remember: You are worthy because the Creator But I think the deepest hurt comes when one of the Universe says you are. spouse resigns while the other is still trying. There is a panic that arises to somehow force the other Step aside from the emotional yuck to make some person wake up, stop their resignation and help levelheaded decisions. Get a plan. Talk to wise you fix this relationship. people who love you, provide godly counsel and will walk this tough journey with you. Draw some A situation like this is much more complicated boundaries with your significant other, if some are than simple answers I could offer here. But might I needed. give you one stepping stone upon which to stand, to stop the panic and balance yourself? Pray like crazy for clear discernment, because our Creator is the best source of help. He sees; He Decide today that you are worthy. Because you knows; He loves. And He will direct you as long are worthy. You may not feel like it. But a quick as you stick with Him and listen to that small voice glimpse at Psalm 139 assures me, you are within your spirit reassuring you that you are fearfully and wonderfully made by a loving God fearfully and wonderfully made and worthy. Isaiah who cares for you and loves you. “For you formed 54:10 says, "‘Though the mountains be shaken my inward parts; you knitted me together in my and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my be removed,’ says the LORD, who has soul knows it very well." Psalm 139:13-14 (ESV) compassion on you." (NIV) You are beautiful and captivating, attractive, smart, and capable. But if you are in a relationship full of unmet expectations, unresolved issues and frustrating communication, I suspect you feel a little less than all I’ve described.
Remember, you can’t control how your significant other acts and reacts, but you can control how you act and react. Reclaim who you are.
I pray your relationship survives; but, if it doesn’t, I pray most of all that the beautiful person you are Broken-down relationships can really break down rises above all the yuck, still clinging tightly to the a person, male or female. If you’re anything like only opinion that matters — the One who forever me, when you feel broken down, those around calls you worthy, because you are worthy.
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LEGAL: IMMIGRATION PART 1 By Atty. Gordon Nicol
America is the “melting pot.” Especially, in Jacksonville, we have seen changes in the population within the last few years. Immigration is one of the more complex areas of law. This series of articles will help you understand the process to protect yourself and your loved ones. As you would imagine there are a number of governmental laws, rules, regulations, and case law that apply. The laws keep changing. Even what used to be INS (Immigration and Naturalization) is now known as the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
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Gordon T. Nicol, Attorney at Law www.yourjacksonvillelawyer.com 7545 Centurion Parkway, Suite 108 Jacksonville, FL 32256 Phone: 904-384-4911 Helpdesk@youjacksonvillelawyer.com
Let’s address marriages first. At www.yourjacksonvillelawyer.com my role begins with helping file the application packet. I always advise my clients to take the time and not rush on this initial step. There are a number of areas that serve as “traps for the unwary” that end up either delaying or barring the application request. The application must pass an initial evaluation before USCIS sends out an acknowledgment. Post-911 the bureaucracy and process is more complicated and fingerprints with verification are mandatory. An additional investigation addresses employment. There are also detailed background checks. If all goes well, I then represent the couple with the local USCIS District Office for an in depth interview with an immigration officer. The immigration officer’s job is adversarial – they are not your friend. As you lawyer, I review in advance the couple’s documentary evidence of their relationship- typically, evidence that they are living together, sharing and commingling finances, and holding themselves out as a married couple. Words of advice: please do not lie and especially do not try to “fake” your living situation so that it looks like what you think USCIS wants. It is human nature to try to bolster your application but it only gets you into more trouble. The above article is general in nature and should not be relied upon for specific legal advice. Every legal situation is different.
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6 REASON TO RETHINK HIV By Tyler Curry
The science of sex may be an easy study, but the practice of thinking about science and sex simultaneously can sometimes seem to be an impossible feat. Science requires logic and critical thinking, while sex relies on our primal emotions and desires. Therefore, it is perfectly logical that a person may be able to comprehend the science of HIV, but allow the emotions of love, sex, shame and guilt lead him or her to do things that may put them at risk. Consequently, many HIV prevention campaigns rely on the same emotional triggers, but fail to reflect the current state of HIV research and information that we have today. So in an effort to combine the logic of science with the seduction of sex, here are six statistical reasons why we should rethink HIV prevention as we know it. 60 percent of young people living with HIV are unaware of their status.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 26 percent of new HIV infections occur among people between the ages of 13-24. Additionally, 60 percent of young people are unaware that they are living with the virus. Since more than half of young HIV-positive people are unaware of their status, many people have a misplaced sense of fear and unrealistic idea of risk when it comes to protecting themselves. Some HIV-negative men and women believe that a person who discloses their HIV-positive status is a risk that is too big to take, but could easily have sex with someone who is HIV-positive and believes they are still negative because they have yet to be tested. Someone who hasn’t been
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diagnosed carries a higher viral load than someone who is aware of their status and on treatment. A higher viral load means a bigger risk.
But just how much more of a risk are they?
CITY COUNCIL: JAMES EDDY By David Vandygriff
The city of Jacksonville, Florida will hold elections for mayor and city council on May 19, 2015. A primary will take place on March 24, 2015. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was January 16, 2015. All 19 city council seats are up for election.
Volunteer for One Spark Board President and Co-Founder Rainbow House LGBT Community Center Jan 2011 to Jan 2013 Board President and Elf of Holiday Helpers an organization that give Christmas and the Holidays to kids affected and infected with HIV/AIDS 2004-Present President 2008-2010 Vice President 2007-2008 Board Director of Social Media and member of River City Pride : board 2009 member 2009Biography James Eddy City Council District 7 2011 entertainment committee Active Member Candidate: PFLAG 2013 been a member from 2010- Present Dining out for Life Ambassador - NFAN 2012 Born: On November 23, 1970 in New Active with Equality Florida - Canvassing and l Martinsville, West Virginia obby days Faith: In my youth was a member of Hills United Methodist Church Marietta Ohio. My Grew up: Raised in Reader West Virginia but I family is Church of Christ. Faith is a very important grew up on a small piece of farm land in Marietta , part of my life but not currently an active member Ohio. of a church. In the primary election for District 7, candidates include Niki Brunson (I), Richard Cuff (D), James Eddy (D), Donald Foy (D), Reggie Gaffney (D), Marc McCullough (D), Wendell Sams (D), George A. Spencer, Jr. (D) and Sirretta Williams (D). Incumbent Johnny Gaffney (D) is ineligible to run for reelection due to term limits
Parents: Shirley Furler and Russ Furler (step Father) and Jim Eddy (father). Siblings: Rebecca Jones, Mitch Eddy and Debbie Gessel. High School: Marietta Sr. High
Eddy is the only openy LGBT Candidate in the Jacksonville 2015 Elections. He is a supporter of a fully inclusive HRO protecting LGBT in Jacksonville. Eddy believes that funding to the Jacksonville Library’s should be restored. Along College: The University of Akron AA in Restaurant with increasing the number of Duval County Management and Culinary Art Students in after school programs. Jacksonville ONLY has 12,000 students in after school Jobs: The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, programs. Eddy was to double this number to Restaurant Manager For the past 12 years April 24,000 over the next four years. Back to the 2001-present. Basics for community services is what Eddy tauts on the campaign trail. Getting the BASIC ProVolunteerism: Jax 2025 - Task Forces : to grams started once again in Jacksonville is one of transform Jacksonville by 2025 Bicycle and Eddy’s priorities. Pedestrian Transportation Diverse & Inclusive Community Government Openness and For more information on James Eddy visit Responsiveness Member of the Jacksonville www.eddy4dist7.com Coalition for Equality on the Communications and Education Committees, Chair of Education Committee and Steering Team member.
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JAX AQUARIUM
By David Vandygriff
Feasibility study next big step for proposed US$120m Jacksonville Aquarium Jacksonville Florida's chances of getting a world-class aquarium in a downtown location have taken a step forward with the news that a feasibility study is about to be launched – it's a significant step forward for a project that has been two years in the making. Massachusetts-based ConsultEcon will conduct the study on behalf of AquaJax – the group behind the aquarium development. The study will look at cost estimates, funding options, operations and site locations. The US$50,000 (€44,000, £32,000) study is being funded by unnamed local investors. The aquarium development, thought to cost around US$100m (€88.1m, £64.5m) to US$120m (€105.8m, £77.4m), could go to three potential sites according to AquaJax – all of which are on the Northbank of Jacksonville near a recently proposed large-scale mixed-use redevelopment of the area.
said a statement from AquaJax. “Jacksonville has a wealth of natural attractions at its disposal, and we feel an aquarium would highlight those attractions and bring in enormous amounts of people to come visit our ever-improving city. "Public support for a project such as this has always been high and it’s impossible to deny the positives a large scale aquarium would bring to downtown Jacksonville. Education, conservation, entertainment, economic stimulus, and civic pride would all stem from this single addition to the downtown waterfront.”
The feasibility study will take around six to eight weeks to complete and will encourage further investment into the project, according to AquaJax, which is The 150,000sq ft (13,935sq m) facility will focusing on include both sale and freshwater marine both environments, as well as add to a manatee corporate rehabilitation programme currently underway investment at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. The and public aquarium will also focus on education and donations research, and will be closely connected to to fund the the University of North Florida, Jacksonville project. University, and multiple local elementary, The group middle, and high schools in and around hopes to Jacksonville. have the aquarium “The Jacksonville Aquarium project is the open by first we as a group decided to undertake,” 2018. www.cityxtramagazine.com 19
MADONNA ANNOUNCES CONCERT DATES By James Smith
Pop icon Madonna has recovered from her fall at the BRIT Awards to announce a new, 35-city “Rebel Heart” tour this summer. The tour kicks off Aug. 29 in Miami before heading to Europe. Dates in Asia and Australia are expected to be announced soon. Madonna is slated to play the American Airlines Arena in Miami on Aug. 29, 2015; those tickets go on sale March 16. For complete tour and ticket information, visit Madonna.com or LiveNation.com. A list of announced dates follows:
Oct. 5 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre On Sale Mar. 9 Oct. 8 St. Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center On Sale Mar. 16 Oct. 11 Edmonton, AB Rexall Place On Sale Mar. 9 Oct. 14 Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena On Sale Mar. 9 NORTH AMERICA: Oct. 17 Portland, OR MODA Center On Sale Mar. 23 Aug. 29 Miami, FL Ameri- Oct. 19 San Jose, CA SAP can Airlines Arena On Sale Mar. 9 Center at San Jose On Sale Mar. 9 Sept. 2 Atlanta, GA Philips Oct. 22 Glendale, AZ Gila Arena On Sale Mar. 16 River Arena On Sale Mar. 23 Sept. 5 San Juan, PR ColOct. 24 Las Vegas, NV MGM iseo de Puerto Rico On sale Mar. 21 Grand Garden Arena On Sale Mar. 16 Sept. 9 Montreal, QC Bell Oct. 27 Los Angeles, CA FoCentre On Sale Mar. 14 rum On Sale Mar. 16 Sept. 12 Washington, DC Verizon Center On Sale Mar. 16 Sept. 16 New York, NY Madison Square Garden On Sale Mar. 9 Sept. 19 Brooklyn, NY Barclays Center On Sale Mar. 9 Sept. 24 Philadelphia, PA Wells Fargo Center On Sale Mar. 16 Sept. 26 Boston, MA TD Garden On Sale Mar. 16 Sept. 28 Chicago, IL United Center On Sale Mar. 9 Oct. 1 Detroit, MI Joe Louis Arena On Sale Mar. 23 Oct. 3 Atlantic City, NJ Boardwalk Hall On Sale Mar. 16 www.cityxtramagazine.com 20
GAY BEST FRIEND MUST DIE By John Jacobs
“The Gay Best Friend Must Die,” decrees HuffPo writer Tre Easton says the "gay best friend" archetype is limiting and denies gay people agency “The time has come for the gay best friend (or perhaps you prefer ‘GBF’) to, once and for all, experience a quick, clean and unequivocal death.” – Huffington Post contributor Tré Easton, in a Feb. 27 column entitled, The Gay Best Friend Must Die, examining the archetype of the gay best friend that exhibits itself in popular culture via characters on shows like Will & Grace, Glee and Sex in the City. Easton claims that advances and increased support for the LGBT community have made it possible to move on from the archetype, which Easton says “works to calcify the idea of
gay as other,” thereby limiting gay people to adhere to an outdated stereotype. According to Easton, “the GBF is a narrow interpretation of the beautiful array of personalities that comprise the LGBTQ community. It’s the unfair distilling of gay men to just one of the many things that makes him the guy who you want to be around because of his wit, sparkling personality or great taste in music. You limit his full agency when you do this. More succinctly: Don’t put baby in a corner.”
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