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‘Brainwashed’ Conversion Therapy Founder Comes Out Gay Scientists Discover Rare Gene That Gives HIV Immunity UK Same-Sex Families Up 50%
17th Transgender Girl Killed In The U.S. 2019 Trans Beauty Queen Educating Others About HIV/AIDS & PrEP Chicago A Haven For LGBTQ Travelers World-Wide Domination of Drag Hoseasons Will Refuse Bookings From Racist & Homophobes First-Ever Democratic Presidential LGBTQ Town Hall On National TV
Ryan Reynolds & Blake Lively Donate $2M To Help Protect Immigrant Children
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‘Brainwashed’ Conversion Therapy Founder Comes Out Gay By Diane Hearn
In the hours after McKrae Game came out as gay, he received support as well as a wave of backlash. “I’ve had some hate-filled messages,” said Game during a Facebook Live broadcast after he took a run Wednesday. “And I get the hate and lashing out.” Game, 51, founded one of the largest conversion therapy programs in the country and led the homophobic organization for 20 years, a movement he now calls harmful. After the program, Hope for Wholeness, fired him in 2017 for his use of pornography, the married father began accepting that he was gay and sought the help of a “pro-gay” therapist, he said during other Facebook Live broadcasts on Tuesday and Wednesday. Game, from Spartanburg, South Carolina, came out of the closet this summer after “I had the option of being outed or coming out myself,” he says.
and meet local people in person. He said he plans to get coffee with a mother, with whom he counseled her daughter, and he ended up doing a video conference with “one young lady who was so angry.”
he plans to donate any money he may earn as a speaker or if he obtains a book deal to the LGBTQ community. To those turning to conversion Game did a Facebook live therapy or a ministry “that is Wednesday with local LGBTQ trying to tell someone that what activist Kim Williams, who says comes natural to them is wrong on the stream that before and harmful,” he told The Blast talking and meeting with Game, Wednesday, “it is harmful to she “came to eat him alive.” that person’s psyche, their “I had to meet this gentleman,” sense of peace, sense of well being.” she says, “and now I understand he was just as abused “I would encourage them to and brainwashed as the people reconsider that,” he says. he wanted to save. He was “They need to reach out to suffering.” someone not pushing them in that direction.” Game said he is a member of two gay Facebook groups, and “one is just lashing out at me and being hateful.” “There are people very angry at me for coming out,” he says, later adding: “I am sorry if you have that much hate you want me dead. I don’t have room for hate in my heart… I am not The Post and Courier first going to stay silent and not use reported the story Labor Day my voice.” Weekend. Game has responded to some Now working as a landscaper of the hate-filled messages by during warmer months, and reaching out and offering to talk preparing to work as a ski patroller in the winter, Game says 06 www.cityxtramagazine.com
Scientists Discover Rare Gene That Gives HIV Immunity By Ross Bennett
Scientists in Spain have discovered that people with a rare genetic anomaly are resistant to HIV infection, a finding which could lead to new treatments for the virus.
the virus in the cell.” UN Wants To End HIV Diagnoses By 2030
from being transmitted, however it is currently only The United Nations has set a available to English patients 2030 deadline to end the through a capped trial. Researchers from the Institute AIDS epidemic by achieving of Health Carlos III, in Madrid, zero new transmissions. The NHS says that it still has tested blood samples from 23 12,400 places available on the It has also set a 90-90-90 tar- PrEp Impact program, with the distantly-related donors who get for 2020, by which 90 per- trial set to close to new all had a particular form of cent of all people living with muscular dystrophy. participants in July 2020. HIV will know their status, 90 When scientists introduced NAT (National AIDS Trust) percent of all people diagHIV to the samples, the virus nosed with HIV will receive and the Terrance Higgins failed to replicate. Trust have both called on the antiretroviral therapy (ART), government to make PrEP This immunity was due to the and 90 percent of all people freely available to all who TNPO3 gene, which is needed on ART will not be able to need it. in order for HIV to spread transmit the virus. through the blood. “‘More of the same won’t cut In England, rates of new The test subjects all had a transmissions have fallen by a it,” said Ian Green, chief mutation of this gene, which third since 2015 and now sit at executive of Terrance Higgins. was responsible for their form their lowest level since 2000. “We need to ensure access to of muscular dystrophy, but However, charities have and awareness of HIV also appears to have given warned that more needs to be prevention pill PrEP, the them immunity from HIV. done in order for England to normalization of regular HIV testing, and to invest in sexual José Alcami, a virologist who meet the 2030 deadline. health services across the worked on the study, said: The preventative medication country to make sure they are “This helps us to understand PrEP (pre-exposure much better the transport of prophylaxis) can stop the virus properly funded to meet rising demand.”
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UK Same-Sex Families Up 50% By David Vandygriff
The number of same-sex couples living as a family, with or without children, has increased by more than half since 2015, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). In 2015, there were 152,000 same-sex couple families living in the UK, and in 2018 there were 232,000, an increase of 53.2 percent. ONS statistician Sophie Sanders told the BBC that the huge increase in same-sex who reported living together as a family was partly due to legislation, such as equal marriage, but also down people feeling more comfortable disclosing that they are part of a same-sex family. Since the legalization of equal marriage came in to force in 2014, the number of married same-sex couples has
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continued to grow rapidly, and numbers cohabiting or in civil partnerships has decreased. In 2015, just 8.9 percent of same-sex couples living as families were married, but in 2018 that figure rose to 29.4 percent. More Opposite-Sex Couples Are Choosing To Live Together Without Getting Married However, data showed that opposite-sex couples were moving in the opposite direction, although at a slower rate, with more choosing to live together without getting married. Joe Nellis, communications coordinator for the LGBT Foundation, also told the BBC: “It is positive to see that more samesex couples feel
confident and able to disclose their relationship and household status. “We have made significant developments in LGBT equality legislation, including marriage equality in England, Wales and Scotland, which has given more LGBT people the confidence to live their lives openly. “It is important to remember that if we’re not counted, we don’t count.” A study earlier this year in the Netherlands, which compared 1,200 kids raised by same-sex couples and more than a million children raised by opposite-sex couples, indicated that children raised by samesex couples did better at school.
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17th Transgender Girl Killed In The U.S. 2019 By Alice Johnson
A teenage girl has become 17th trans person known to have died by violent means in the US in 2019.
“The victim was transported to an area hospital where she later died.
community. It found that 74 percent of The 17-year-old was found by “Homicide detectives are Identified transgender murder on Monday evening, asking anyone with information victims were misgendered September 2, with gunshot to contact them at 410-396(referred to using their birth wounds to her torso in 2100 or Metro Crime Stoppers gender) or deadnamed Parkwood Avenue, Baltimore. at 1-866-7lockup.” (referred to using their birth She later died in hospital. So far, at least 17 transgender name) in initial police or media people have been killed in the reports surrounding their Homicide detectives at deaths. Baltimore Police are appealing US. The vast majority of the victims have been women of “Transgender people face for anyone with information to color. devastating levels of come forward. discrimination and harassment The death of the 17-year-old Victim was transgender teen teen comes after trans woman in the workplace,” reads the girl, say police. report. Tracy Single was allegedly Police confirmed that the victim murdered in mid-August. “These barriers are even higher was a transgender girl, as for black transgender people, reported by ABC‘s local affiliate At least 26 trans people were who have double the murdered in the US in 2018, station. unemployment rate of all with the majority being trans transgender people, and four Unconfirmed reports on social women of color. times that of the US general media have named the victim Most trans murder victims in population.” as 17-year-old Bailey. 2018 were trans women of “On September 2, 2019, at color. approximately 8:05pm, Northeast District patrol officers The actual number, however, responded to the 4300 block of could be higher as there is no Parkwood Avenue for a report official data collection on crimes against trans people, of a shooting,” said Baltimore and trans murder victims have Police in a statement on been known to be misgendered Facebook. by local press. “Upon officers’ arrival, they located a female suffering from In November, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) gunshot wounds to the torso. released a report looking at the high levels of violence against America’s transgender 14 www.cityxtramagazine.com
Trans Beauty Queen Educating Others About HIV/AIDS & PrEP By Drew Williams
A trans beauty queen is using her platform to education others about HIV, PEP and PrEP.
how they can apply the facts to their lives.”
Jazell Barbie Royale, 31, made history as the first woman of African descent to win the 2019 crown at the Miss International Queen in Thailand earlier this year, which is considered as one of the most prestigious beauty pageants for trans people in the world. Since bagging the accolade, Royale has been using her increased prominence to raise awareness of HIV. Trans beauty pageant winner wants to educate people all over the world about HIV. Speaking to The Advocate at the pageant, Royale said: “Now my platform will be even larger and I’ll be able to educate people from around the world about HIV, PEP, PrEP, and
She added: “HIV is really rampant, especially among trans people. I most wanted to spread the word about PrEP and PEP.” The rising star has seen a surge in popularity after winning the award and currently has more than 30,000 followers on Instagram.
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With HIV treatment you can “live a long life”, says trans beauty queen Jazell Barbie Royale. She added: “If you’re HIVnegative and [at risk], you need to be taking PrEP to keep yourself that way. If you’re positive, get into treatment – if your viral load is undetectable, The model explained that she you can’t pass the virus. has been personally affected “If you’re undetectable, you can by HIV, having had friends who live a long life. You don’t have have died from the virus. to go through complications if you take this one pill.” “I’ve had many friends pass away from complications from The model also works for HIV HIV and many that I’ve and sexually transmitted assisted and helped get into disease organization Bliss treatment,” she said. Healthcare Services in greater Orlando, Florida, where she HIV is really rampant, especially among trans people. lives.
Chicago A Haven For LGBTQ Travelers By Bruce Wilson
Chicago Pride, gay-friendly luxury hotels, award-winning bars, Lollapalooza music festival… you name it, Chicago’s got it! Indeed, America’s third largest city is a must-visit destination for members of the LGBTQ+ community looking to explore a new part of the world. From world-class museums, theatre and Michelin-star restaurants to the fast-paced nightlife, there truly is something for everyone. Famed for its inclusive queer and trans community and rich LGBTQ+ history, Chicago is a mix of diverse neighborhoods that boast food and culture from all across the globe. While there are plenty of great places to stay in the city, Boystown – located in the East Lakeview community – is most loved by locals and visitors alike for its gayfriendly establishments. It’s not only home to the world’s only outdoor LGBTQ+ history museum, but also famously hosts the iconic Chicago Pride Festival – one of the largest LGBTQ+ celebrations in America. With this year honoring the 50th anniversary of Stonewall and 18 www.cityxtramagazine.com
the birth of the Pride movement, guests can expect a fabulously exuberant celebration attended by up to 100,000 people. The city has happily expanded their Pride week into a whole month-long celebration which sees hundreds of events take place all over the city. From the performances by Iggy Azalea and Steve Aoki at Pride in the Park to the 15th year of the music and entertainment festival, Back Lot Bash, the party really doesn’t stop throughout the month of June. Fitness lovers can even work up a sweat at the Proud To Run half-marathon and raise funds for Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community. And finish the month in style with the Chicago Pride Parade on June 30. But there are also plenty of other attractions throughout the year. August sees the unofficial Pride follow-up, Northalsted Market Days, descend on the city as attendees rock colorful outfits and party with the fiercest drag queens during the twoday street festival. While Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ and International Film
Festival, is another great way to soak up international LGBTQ+ culture if you’re in the city in September. Even with thousands flocking to the city for the Pride Parade and Market Days, it’s easy to instantly feel like a local thanks to the city’s hospitable Midwestern energy. Boystown – one of the first recognized villages in the US – boasts a lively party scene thanks to the flourishing bar and restaurant district, with popular establishments such as Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club. Visitors can feast on top quality contemporary cuisine while enjoying table-side performances from a number of Kit Kat’s talented divas, or book a table for their legendary drag brunch! A simple stroll along North Halsted Street provides a chance to check out boutique shops like Beatnix, energetic dance clubs such Hydrate and Charlie’s Chicago and popular bars including show tune institution Sidetrack. The spacious video bar has multiple areas to chat and
mingle while guests sip on slushies and enjoy drag shows. Be sure to head up to the rooftop patio during the summer. Meanwhile, Andersonville is another large gay area which has fast become a hub for Chicago’s lesbian community. A diverse neighborhood where European eateries like Italian trattoria Anteprima and Belgian-focused Hopleaf are a must visit, the area also boasts bathhouse Man’s Country Chicago and several LGBTQ+ owned business including Marty’s Martini Bar. Plus, lively gay bars like Mary’s Attic, The Call and Big Chicks. There’s so much to do in the city but one thing’s for sure – no matter who you are or what you enjoy, you’ll find it in Chicago.
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company behind “Drag Race” and its many offshoots. “It’s incredibly gratifying. We’ve been making this show for 12 seasons … and the basic philosophy, the basic approach has really been the same since day one.”
World-Wide Domination of Drag By Jeff Anderson
The year after being named the top reality competition program at the 2018 Emmys, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” returns to the race this year in a somewhat strange position for a show with such an outsider sensibility — as the one to beat. It was not so long ago that “Drag Race” was regularly snubbed by the TV Academy despite the undying love of a small but fervent fanbase. But in 2019, the show is bigger, and more mainstream, than ever.
That little-seen first season, Campbell notes, was filmed back when president George W. Bush was still in office, back before same-sex marriage was the law of the land, and when LGBTQ visibility on television was quite a bit different than it Its 2017 jump from the niche Logo to broader sister network is now. It featured one of the VH1 came with an explosion in queens, fan-favorite Ongina, revealing her HIV-positive stathe ratings. Strong word of tus on the main stage in a momouth among the youngerment that at the time felt radical skewing audience has made and “Drag Race” one of the groundbreaking. buzziest TV shows on social media. And host RuPaul “The very first episode was Charles, who once famously called ‘Drag on a Dime,'” predicted the show would Campbell recalled. “They had a never be taken seriously challenge where they had to enough to receive awards make outfits out of items from attention, has been named best the 99 cent store. We were so reality competition show host at incredibly scared that they the Emmys three years couldn’t do it or that they running. wouldn’t be good. And they “It’s incredibly humbling,” said blew us away … There’s something about the high camp Tom Campbell, head of and the makeup and the development for World of over-the-top clothes mixed with Wonder, the production these really very human stories that makes it so compelling.” 20 www.cityxtramagazine.com
So while the central philosophy of “Drag Race” has stayed the same over the last decade, the world around it has shifted quite a bit, perhaps coming to meet the show a bit more on its own terms. But as history can attest, that doesn’t mean the pendulum can’t or won’t swing back. The most successful years of “Drag Race” thus far, through coincidence or consequence, have come in the era of Trump, inadvertently turning the show — a showcase for LGBTQ talent and unapologetic send-up of patriarchal society — into an act of resistance, a representation of “a different kind of America, a more patriotic America,” Campbell said. “It’s a place where identity and self-expression and love are appreciated, and so it’s almost become part of the resistance without even trying to be,” he said. “We’ve been doing the same show the whole time,
but I think it’s filling a gap. People want to be entertained and want to be moved.” In a 2016 interview with New York Magazine, published just months before RuPaul would go on to win his first Emmy, the host called drag “the antithesis of mainstream.” The entire art form, he said, is “completely opposed to fitting in.” Fast forward three years to this June, when the same magazine ran a story titled “What’s Lost When a Subculture Goes Pop?” suggesting that “Drag Race,” the franchise, had in fact gone mainstream and that drag, the art form, might eventually have to leave it behind. And there’s no denying that “Drag Race” has seen wider cultural acceptance than ever before. In those three intervening years, “Drag Race” and its many spinoffs — which now include the fan-favorite “All-Stars” showdown and the behind-the-scenes gabfest “Untucked,” as well as a number of international editions — have collected a total of nine Emmys with the potential to add 11 more next month. Alums of the show have gone on to successful careers outside of “Drag Race,” signing major brand deals or releasing their own music. But what such a line of thinking elides is all the good that can come from that acceptance and visibility, Campbell says. The good that can come from seeing LGBTQ individuals accepting a trophy on a major awards show, for instance.
Hoseasons Will Refuse Bookings From Racist & Homophobes By David Vandygriff
The boss of UK holiday firm Hoseasons has said that he will not accept bookings from racist or homophobic customers, and that they can “use another agent”. Simon Altham, chief portfolio officer at Awaze UK, which is the parent company of Hoseasons, told Eastern Daily Press: “I came to the conclusion that Hoseasons as a brand needed to stand for something and I don’t want racist or homophobic customers booking with Hoseasons. “If you are homophobic or racist, Hoseasons isn’t the right brand for you.” Altham is a gay man himself and said he wanted the firm to be “representative of UK society and that includes the LGBT community”.
model for the company five years ago, and helps staff with issues relating to sexuality.
Hoseasons won an award for ‘Best LGBT Holiday Company’ in 2017. He said to Eastern Daily Press: “Six years ago a travel industry colleague, who isn’t himself gay, approached me and asked me if I had thought about doing more in terms of LGBT+, and I didn’t understand the relevance to talk about being gay in the workplace.” When he visiting some homeless LGBT+ young people, he realised that he could be a role model for being gay and successful in a leadership position. He decided to “modernise” the company by creating more diversity in their He also became a diversity role marketing when it came to sexuality and race.
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He continued: “I decided we were going to make sure our models and marketing were representative of modern Britain, go hell for leather in the LGBT space, be brave, use same-sex models in our brochures and we got the support of the owners of the business. “The best way to talk about it in a business context is the commercial benefit, regardless of the ethical view, fundamentally if you have a diversity inclusion agenda you will recruit and retain the best employees, for sure.” Hoseasons won the award of ‘Best LGBT Holiday Company’ at the British Travel Awards in 2017.
And with us gone, please support those who are left – or eventually there will be none left. To avoid any doubt, our problem has been entirely financial. By all the statistics, Gay Star News is now more widely read, watched and loved by the international LGBTI audience than ever. It is a sad paradox that our popularity has not transferred into our survival. We are convinced we are closing at a time when more people want and need what we offer than ever before.
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First-Ever Democratic Presidential LGBTQ Town Hall On National TV By David Vandygriff
Six of the top ten Democratic presidential candidates have signed on to appear in a town hall focused on “issues of importance to the LGBTQ community.” The October 10 event will be hosted by CNN and the Human Rights Campaign. “The evening will constitute the largest-ever audience for a Democratic presidential town hall devoted to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) issues and will mark the first time in history that a major cable news network will air a presidential event devoted to issues of importance to the LGBTQ community,” HRC says in a press release.
Senator Elizabeth Warren will all participate. The event is open to all Democratic presidential candidates who meet the DNC’s fall debate eligibility criteria.
Currently not on HRC’s list for the LGBTQ town hall but qualified for this month’s DNC debate are Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), former Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-TX), Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Andrew Yang. “In 2018, LGBTQ voters cast ballots in higher numbers than the general population. LGBTQ voters cast more than 7 million ballots in all — a turnout of roughly 70 percent, compared to a turnout of 49 percent among the general population Former Vice President Joe — and comprised 6 percent of Biden, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, the entire electorate,” HRC former Secretary Julián Castro, notes, adding that there are 10 Senator Kamala Harris, million LGBTQ voters Senator Amy Klobuchar, and nationwide.
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“Over the last two years,” HRC adds, “the Trump-Pence Administration has rescinded key protections for transgender students, appointed two new conservative justices to the Supreme Court, banned transgender troops from serving openly in the military, and has repeatedly sought to allow discrimination against LGBTQ people in healthcare, housing, public accommodations and other aspects of life under the guise of ‘religious freedom.’ Despite campaigning on a promise to be a ‘friend’ to the LGBTQ community, President Trump designated Mike Pence as his vice president, and has refused to advance bipartisan federal civil rights legislation — the Equality Act — which overwhelmingly passed through the U.S. House of Representatives this spring.”
Ryan Reynolds & Blake Lively Donate $2M To Help Protect Immigrant Children By Jessica Wilkerson
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are putting their money and resources to a good cause. It was announced on Wednesday that the Gossip Girl alum and the Deadpool star made two separate donations of $1 million each to both the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund and to the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights. According to an announcement made by the Young Center, the generous gift will be used to establish the Waymaker Fund for Immigrant Children, which aims to protect and increase the protections for the rights of immigrant children separated from their families at the border and amid increased deportation
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efforts. Meanwhile, the donation to the NAACP LDF law firm will help the organization's efforts to promote racial and social justice and equality across the nation through challenging unconstitutional legislation and advocacy litigation.
more compassion and empathy in this world," their statement continued. "History's being written right now. We’re grateful to give back to organizations who give voice to so many." This is one additional facet to "We’re blown away by the the couple's extensive history NAACP Legal Defense and of philanthropy. Reynolds has Educational Fund, and the been a vocal and financial Young Center’s commitment to supporter of the Make-A-Wish not only justice and democracy, Foundation, F**k Cancer and but humanity," the couple said the Michael J. Fox Foundation, in a statement regarding their while Lively has given her time, donation. energy and resources to "Over the last few years, our multiple groups, including the perspective has grown and celeb-backed charity we’ve realized we have to do organization Chime for everything possible to foster Change.