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Rev. Graham Facing Backlash For Calling Buttigieg ‘To Repent Sexuality’ Eggheads’ CJ de Mooi 30 Years of Agony Living With AIDS Religious Donor Withdraws Donation To Baby With Cancer & Lesbian Mothers
Man Uses ‘Gay Panic Defense’ In Murder Of Jamaican Fashion Designer Lawmaker Wants To Outlaw Child Drag Performers Drag Race Star German Rivers Cruise Madame X ‘Medellin’ Abercrombie & Fitch Expand Partnership With The Trevor Project Prominent Democratic POTUS Maybe Coming Out Jean Paul Gaultier To Dress Madonna For Eurovision Performance
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Graham! You are a disgrace!
“You are a disgrace for normalizing Rev. Graham Facing Backlash Donald For Calling Buttigieg Trump’s ‘To Repent Sexuality’ behavior… By David Vandygriff here’s a man, who along with Christian preacher Franklin so many people in my Graham is facing backlash community, the evangelical after telling presidential hopeful community, attacked Bill Pete Buttigieg he will face Clinton for his personal failings. “eternal damnation” unless he “They are now using their “repents.” positions, these evangelical Graham, who preached at leaders, to gain political power President Donald Trump’s and apologies for Donald inauguration in January 2017, Trump. hit out at Buttigieg in a Face“Now suddenly Franklin book post on Tuesday (April Graham’s talking about 23), claiming: “God’s Word lifestyles and sinning, and a defines homosexuality as sin, guy who has gone through a something to be repentant of, very difficult personal journey not something to be flaunted, to figure out who he really is, praised, or politicized. The he’s criticizing them for that? Bible defines marriage as between a man and a woman— “It’s not a lifestyle choice. not two men, not two women. Anyone who’s heard Pete “The core of the Christian faith Buttigieg talk knows that.” is believing and following Jesus George H W Bush biographer Christ, who God sent to be the Jon Meacham described the Savior of the world—to save us comments as “extreme from sin, to save us from hell, statements,” adding: “They are to save us from eternal extreme at this point, given damnation.” where the country is on these The comments were slammed issues, this is no longer a mainstream view, and by pundits including Morning Joe host Joe Scarborough, an thankfully so. evangelical Christian, who “If you’re a religious believer, branded Graham a “disgrace” one of the points of God’s for attacking Buttigieg while universe is it does reveal itself, hailing Trump as a “defender of and you are able to change the faith” and grow and react to shifting data. Scarborough said on Thursday’s (April 25) Morning “Reverend Graham is actually Joe: “Just shut up Franklin disproving that, he’s going the other way.” 06 www.cityxtramagazine.com
Ross Murray, a Lutheran deacon and senior director of the GLAAD Media Institute, also hit out at Graham. He said: “Franklin Graham’s relentless attacks on Christians who are a part of the LGBTQ community, while excusing the very un-Christian actions of President Donald Trump, demonstrates that he has been seduced by worldly power and fallen prey to sin. “As a Deacon, my calling is to LGBTQ advocacy through GLAAD. I’ve also worked with LGBTQ youth through The Naming Project for 15 years. These youth years have weathered similar attacks and roadblocks to them living abundant life.” Graham is the son of evangelist Billy Graham and heads the international Christian charity Samaritan’s Purse. Graham has previously praised Vladimir Putin’s anti-gay laws and told crowds in Russia that homosexuals “cannot have children, they can take other people’s children.” He said in 2015: “I very much appreciate that President Putin is protecting Russian young people against homosexual
propaganda. If only to give them the opportunity to grow up and make a decision for themselves.” He has also claimed there had been a “moral 9/11” in America due to homosexuals and has declared that gay people are “the enemy” of civilization. In 2016, Graham accused LGBT activists of “trying to cram down America’s throat the lie that homosexuality is okay,” alleging that anti-discrimination laws will mean that “your children, and your grandchildren will be at risk to sexual predators and perverts.” Love is love and at some point in time when will people realize that God created gay people for reason.
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desperately,” it says, “after false accusations were made about him, he lost his job, Eggheads’ CJ de Mooi livelihood, 30 Years of Agony and reputaLiving With AIDS By Missy Hartley tion,” it added. Former Eggheads star CJ de “He is bankrupt, extremely ill Mooi has revealed he might and in imminent danger of not have long left to live after losing his house,” the living with AIDS for 30 years. GoFundMe page, which has Sharing the news, de Mooi, currently raised over $4,400 49, wrote: “the agony of the says. last 3 years means I may not On Monday de Mooi urged have many left,” on a Tweet people donating to instead posted on Easter Sunday. give to the victims of the Sri A fundraising page created on Lanka terror attacks. April 11 by a friend of de Mooi He wrote: “Thank you all for claims the “extremely ill” the support but if you were former TV personality is donating to my page today, struggling financially. please give to the victims of “CJ needs money the Sri Lanka attacks instead.”
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The quizzer is a former panelist on the BBC quiz show Eggheads. Prior to leaving the program, de Mooi had appeared on the show since it first aired in 2003. Controversy has followed the former Egghead since his departure from the show. He was investigated by police over allegations of sexual assault, of which he was cleared. Prayers & thoughts for CJ from our family.
Religious Donor Withdraws Donation To Baby With Cancer & Lesbian Mothers
mighty) and a GoFundMe page, slowly making it to their goal. They are $10,000 shy of their target at the moment.
‘She needs a mommy and a daddy’ However, a particularly A would-be donor backtracked homophobic comment has cast on their $7,600 donation to a a shadow over the support the kid with cancer upon finding out family has received. the baby’s parents are a One would-be donor who was lesbian couple. moved by Callie’s story and 18-month-old Callie June has ready to donate $7.600 stage 4 cancer. She was changed their mind. The diagnosed with advanced reason? They found out Callie neuroblastoma on New Year’s has two moms. Day according to her family and is currently hospitalized in The donor also felt the urge to explain why they weren’t going Cincinnati, Ohio. to donate after all. Her two moms Tiffany and ‘My prayers for Callie. I was Albree Shaffer have been going to donate $7600.00 to trying to raise funds in her fund, but I found out her whichever way they could to parents are lesbian,’ they face the expensive treatment wrote. Callie needs. ‘I’ve chosen to donate to St. They also set up a Facebook Jude due to that fact. Sorry. I’ll page (Callie strong, Tiny but still pray for her though, but By William Parker
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maybe it’s God’s way of getting your attention that she needs a mommy and a daddy, not two mommies.’ Callie will need 18 months of chemotherapy and radiation treatment, a bone marrow transplant, and also will need future surgery to remove the tumor once it shrinks, according to the GoFundMe page. ‘Albree has had to stop working multiple jobs to stay in the hospital with Callie while Tiffany is still working as much as possible and driving to the hospital every day,’ the page also reads.
know Pottinger was gay. He claimed Pottinger had come into the room without Man Uses ‘Gay Panic Defense’ any clothes on. In Murder of The man used Jamaican Fashion Designer ‘provocation’ By Brenda Jenkins by the victim The charges of a man who al- as a means to get his charges legedly killed a LGBTI icon reduced from murder to have been dropped to manslaughter. Gay panic manslaughter after claiming the defense is a legal argument to ‘gay panic defense’. justify an assault or murder Romario Brown allegedly against someone because of stabbed gay fashion designer, unwanted same-sex advances. Dexter Pottinger, 25 times on The defense has been 29 August, 2018. abolished in many countries around the world, but still exists On 10 April he plead guilty to in some. manslaughter. He claimed he acted in self-defense because Brown also pleaded guilty to Pottinger allegedly came to him larceny charges after ‘naked and aroused’. Pottinger’s TV, a watch and car were missing from his property. Brown told police Pottinger had He is due for sentencing on 24 posted bail for him just days before his death and that they May, according to Jamaica Star. had gone back to his apartment. They planned to The Caribbean nation of discuss how Pottinger could Jamaica has been described help him get his tattoo business as one of the most homophobic off the ground. places in the world. Male same -sex activity is illegal there and Brown alleged that he did not
the LGBTI community faces extreme levels of violence and discrimination. ‘LGBT Jamaicans are vulnerable to both physical and sexual violence and many live in constant fear,’ a 2014 Human Rights Watch report said. Pottinger was a beloved figure in the LGBTI community and named the 2016 Face of Pride. ‘[Pottinger] was a gay man that gave back to his country and did a lot to raise the profile of it, as well as help young people wanting to develop a career in fashion get on the road to doing so,’ a friend who wished to remain anonymous said at the time of his death.
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Lawmaker Wants To Outlaw Child Drag Performers By Heather Simmons
Dragging down both personal freedom and queer culture, an Ohio lawmaker wants to make child drag shows illegal.
drag queen. Jacob Measley set off a firestorm of controversy after he performed a drag routine as “Miss Mae Hem” at a Toledo Pride event.
Schaffer slammed Measely’s parents as “a very bad example of parenting,” and likened it to sex slavery. Republican state Rep. Tim “Given our heightened focus on Schaffer has introduced a bill human trafficking and the role that would outlaw money plays in trafficking performances by “a child under children, I knew I had to take eighteen years of age or a action to make sure this activity mentally or physically does not occur again,” Schaffer handicapped child under said of the bill. “We can do twenty-one years of age.” better to protect innocent If passed, violators of the children and we must do statute would face up to six better.” months in prison and a $1000 For all Schaffer’s bluster, fine. however, Measley’s parents Schaffer introduced the bill af- have defended their decision to ter learning about the let him perform. performance by a 9-year-old “Jacob is just a guy who likes
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to dress up and dance and feel pretty,” said Jeri Measley, Jacob’s mother. “It’s kind of like Halloween every time he has the opportunity to do it.” She further explained that her son is a huge fan of RuPaul’s Drag Race, and that she never allows him to perform songs with sexual lyrics or overtones. Thus far, Schaffer’s bill has eight co-sponsors, all of whom have very anti-LGBTQ records. Critics worry that if passed, the law could be used too broadly to attack any parent or venue that allows a queer child to embrace his identity.
Darienne Lake and Phi Phi O’hara (as seen on RuPaul’s Drag Race) and get ready for a Drag Race Star week that will German Rivers Cruise get “tens By David Vandygriff across the board”. Themed cruises are all the Among the karaoke nights and rage lately. From Golden Girls drag make-up lessons, the voyages to boats run by pop superstars will even lead an stars, the seven seas are exclusive bar crawl in one of bursting at the seams with the ships ports. novelty journeys. So if you But who are the queens want to do something a bit more unique, you need to take providing the entertainment on this river glitterball? Only Phi yourself off the oceans. I Phi O’Hara, Jiggly Caliente, nstead, enjoy a cruise on the rivers, with the help of RuPaul’s and Darienne Lake. Drag Race queens. No word on if there’s a pit crew or not, but then that’s what U by Uniworld are launching their first ever drag river cruise Grindr’s for after all. on 6 July. Sailing from The event takes place on one Frankfurt to Regensberg in of their two 120-passenger Germany, the eight day ships. Each boast two rooftop itinerary is jam-packed with fun venues, a spa, mixologists, things to do with the queens. restaurants and DJs. You’ll be treated to three daily meals, off Cruise with celebrity drag -shore excursions, and all the queens Jiggly Caliente,
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activities. However, if you can’t hear the phrase ‘gentleman, start your engines’ one more time, they’ll also be hosting a tattoo-themed cruise on 17 August. Cruise with celebrity tattoo artists Bobby Moss, Reese Hilburn and Steve Tefft, leading tattoo model Heather Moss and tattoo expert Paul Gambino for a week dedicated to all things ink. Tattoo on U will feature tattoo artists and models who have appeared on shows like Tattoo Nightmares Miami. Rates for eight days on a themed cruise start at $3276.92.
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In a statement, Madonna said of Madame X, “Lisbon is where my record was Madame X ‘Medellin born. I found By David Vandygriff my tribe there Madonna unveiled a sultry and and a magical world of incredislinky new song “Medellín,” ble musicians that reinforced featuring Colombian singer my belief that music across the Maluma. The track is set to world is truly all connected and appear on the pop icon’s is the soul of the universe.” forthcoming album, Madame X, A video for “Medellín” due out June 14th. premiered Wednesday, April “Medellín” also finds Madonna 24th, during an MTV special reuniting with her longtime airing at 4 p.m. ET. Along with collaborator, the French the video premiere, Madonna producer Mirwais. The track is will discuss Madame X with centered around a classic British DJ Trevor Nelson. cha-cha-chá groove over which Madonna began teasing Madonna and Maluma trade Madame X on social media bilingual verses while the song earlier this week, releasing a moves effortlessly between a 90-second video that featured sparse, understated verse and snippets of new music while a brilliant chorus bursting with the singer donned various deep house euphoria. costumes and explained the Madonna also unveiled more concept behind the LP. information about Madame X, “Madame X is a secret agent,” is available to pre-order and she said in the video. marks her first new album “Traveling around the world. since 2015’s Rebel Heart. The Changing identities. Fighting record features collaborations for freedom. Bringing light to with Migos’ Quavo, Rae dark places. She is a dancer. A Sremmurd’s Swae Lee and professor. A head of state. A Brazilian singer Anitta. Maluma housekeeper. An equestrian. A will also appear on another cut, prisoner. A student. A mother. “Bitch I’m Loca.” A child. A teacher. A nun. A
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singer. A saint. A whore. The spy in the house of love. I’m Madame X.” Madonna is set to perform at the Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv, Israel this May. Madame X Track List 1 “Medellín (feat. Maluma) 2 “Dark Ballet” 3 “God Control” 4 “Future” (feat. Quavo) 5 “Batuka” 6 “Killers Who Are Partying” 7 “Crave” (feat. Swae Lee) 8 “Crazy” 9 “Come Alive” 10 “Faz Gostoso” (feat. Anitta) 11 “Bitch I’m Loca” (feat. Maluma) 12 “I Don’t Search I Find” 13 “I Rise”
Abercrombie & Fitch Expands Partnership With The Trevor Project By Daniel Gillum
Clothing giant Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F) has expanded its relationship with a leading LGBTI youth organization. For the next year A&F will broaden its relationship with The Trevor Project. It is the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTI young people. This year’s partnership will expand the relationship since A&F began supporting the Trevor Project in 2010. The expanded partnership will include participation at events such as the Pride Parade in NYC, proceeds up to $100,000 of sales from select A&F collections, and a customer round-up campaign in all U.S. stores and online.
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‘Abercrombie & Fitch is honored to grow our partnership with The Trevor Project, as it works to meet the needs of LGBTQ youth with its vital crisis intervention and suicide prevention services,’ said Kristin Scott, president, Global Brands at Abercrombie & Fitch Co.
more reach more than 1.5 million LGBTI youth.
The 2019 expanded partnership comes as the LGBTI community prepares to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots. ‘We are grateful for Abercrombie & Fitch’s dedication to The Trevor ‘Trevor’s work touches many of Project’s mission to end suicide our customers’ lives daily, and among LGBTQ youth,’ said we are optimistic that by exAmit Paley, CEO and executive panding our partnership, we director of The Trevor Project. can help increase the reach ‘Abercrombie & Fitch and impact of Trevor’s understands the need to help important work.’ LGBTQ youth in crisis is Since the launch of the year-round. We look forward to partnership A&F has raised working together to engage the more than $600,000. Last year, brand and its loyal customers donations went to training in support of our life-saving digital crisis counselors. This mission.’ allowed the Trevor Project
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Prominent Democratic POTUS Maybe Coming OUt By Drew Williams
Get the salt folks: there’s some major gossip floating around. Scuttlebutt site Blind Gossip reports that unnamed sources claim that another major Presidential candidate is on the verge of coming out of the closet. The reason: Buttigieg envy.
Out-gay Presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg has rocked the political world by ascending to the top of opinion polls for the Democratic Presidential Nomination. Along with his rising poll numbers, Buttigieg has also snagged major donations, and captured the Said candidate has reportedly hearts (and pocketbooks) of lived in the closet for fear that major gay celebrities like Ryan coming out as gay would harm Murphy and Greg Berlanti. his political career. Now, after Speculation continues over the witnessing the massive donor true identity of the candidate. haul by the South Bend, IN We at cityXtra Magazine Mayor, the closet candidate wants to come out. Having kept couldn’t help but notice that two other prominent Democrats, several girlfriends in the past, reports say he might come out Cory Booker and John Hickenlooper, both remain single. as bisexual so as not to look Hickenlooper was previously like an opportunist or a liar.
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married to a woman, but divorced. Rumors have long circulated about Booker’s bachelorhood, though the New Jersey Senator has denied that he’s gay. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as the Democrat Primary continues to heat up around the nation. So us LGBTQIA may have multiple candidates to cheer, support, and have a PROUD moment in pride. One thing we can say cityXtra Magazine, is that the field of presidential candidates in the democratic field is diverse and represents the beautiful culture of America.
Jean Paul Gaultier To Dress Madonna For Eurovision Performance By Patrick Jennings Acclaimed French fashion designer Jean-Paul Gaultier is set to design an original outfit for Madonna to wear during her Eurovision performance in Tel Aviv next month.
performing two songs and will reportedly receive $1 million for the event. While many fans expressed excitement about Madonna’s Gaultier—who has a long Eurovision performance when history of working with news broke last month, not Madonna—will reportedly everybody was happy. A arrive in Israel on May 13 number of groups have urged ahead of the final and will also the singer to pull out and be dressing Israeli Eurovision cancel her performance as a star Dana International, part of the Boycott, Divestment, according to Haaretz. Sanctions (BDS) campaign Reports suggest that Madonna against Israel over the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. personally asked the fashion designer to come up with an The Palestinian Campaign for original outfit for her the Academic and Cultural much-hyped performance. Boycott of Israel (PACBI) led calls earlier this month for The pair’s long working relationship began in the 1990s Madonna to boycott the contest. when Gaultier dressed Madonna in his legendary They have joined the Jewish pointed corset costume. The Voice for Peace in creating a corset had previously been petition asking the singer to displayed in 1982 but was later boycott Eurovision. made iconic by Madonna. In an open letter, the group Just last year, Gaultier dressed said they hope she will “not Madonna once again for the undermine our struggle for Met Gala in New York. freedom, justice and equality” by performing at the event. Details of the Eurovision performance are being kept In a statement released to firmly under wraps, although cityXtra Magazine, Alia Malak the pop star is rumored to be of PACBI said that Madonna 26 www.cityxtramagazine.com
had previously expressed her support for Palestinians. She referenced an Instagram post from 2014 in which Madonna said she “loves” Palestinians and said she wanted “peace and no wall.” Malak said: “Thousands of artists now publicly support the call from Palestinian artists and cultural organizations for the cultural boycott of Israel. Madonna’s announcement that she will cross Palestinians’ long -established picket line comes at a time when fewer and fewer major international artists are willing to perform to an effectively segregated audience under apartheid.” Meanwhile, Gaultier has a long history of working with Eurovision performers. He famously dressed Conchita Wurst for her winning performance in 2014. She later made her modelling debut in one of his shows. We at cityXtra can’t wait to Madame X take the stage and continue to entertain us.