CX September 2015 Issue

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content 06 09 12 17 19

Homosexuality & Religion

Publisher/Executive Editor: David Vandygriff publisher@cityxtramagazine.com

- Jennifer Williams

LGBT High Rates of Substance Abuse -James Joshlin

Creative Designer: Jason Smith designer@cityxtramagazine.com

Mary’s Changing Attitudes -David Vandygriff

Sales Department: Carlos Martinez sales@cityxtramagazine.com

We Are Straight Allies -Chevara Orrin

7 Ways We Are Failing Gay Men -Tyler Curry

Editor In Chief: Harvey Carr editor@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 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

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Homosexuality & Religion By Jennifer Williams

Religion and sexual identity are two aspects of our culture that have historically appeared to clash. Until recently, “the religious condemnation of homosexual acts, and even homosexual persons, was unquestioned.”1 Regular participation in organized worship has proven to be the strongest demographic predictor of whether a person disapproves of homosexual relationships or not. Yet this relationship has fluctuated immensely throughout time. Each faith holds a unique view on sexuality that has come to shape how we perceive sex. Oftentimes, these convictions are adjusted as we adapt to the diversity of sexual expressions in the world. There are three primary stances on homosexuality in regards to religion: Rejectionism “Love the sinner, hate the sin” Full acceptance Rejectionism is held mainly by Judeo-Christian denominations that embrace a more fundamental, Biblical interpretation of sexuality. This approach entirely objects to the idea that homosexuals deserve equal rights. “Love the sinner, hate the sin” holds that LGBT people should be regarded with equal amount of respect; however, homosexual behaviors are not tolerated. This modified rejectionism perspective accepts that sexuality cannot be changed but states that one can only be obedient to a higher power as long as they abstain from homoerotic activities. The full acceptance approach believes that queer people are entitled to all civil and social rights as do their heterosexual counterparts. Quakers have a long-standing tradition of accepting both homosexuals as a person and a behavior, while the Episcopalian Church has recently made a move towards this ideology.

part of his coming out process in his book: The Lord is My Shepherd and He Knows I’m Gay. The advent of this Church signaled to how inclusive spirituality has grown to be. Similar to the Universal Fellowship, a majority of religions have subgroups of queer-identified members. People are able to straddle the boundary between the faith and sexuality using support groups within each faith that acknowledge gay identities and affirm the normalcy of gay piousness. For centuries, legislation has tried to restrict sexual acts ranging from sodomy to polygamy. Such harsh ordinances often stem from strict religious practices that advocate celibacy, monogamy, and heterosexuality.

Individuals who fall outside of this orthodox spectrum—including unmarried, polyamourous, or queer-identified people—may feel anxious that their sexuality does not perfectly align with these spiritual mandates. Some individuals feel torn between the doctrines they were raised learning and whom they grew to become. When a great deal of one’s ethics is based on a specific faith, it may directly conflict with their identity as a nonvirgin, queer, or polyamorous individual. In order to mitigate any tensions between religion and sexuality, it is critical to know that a gay and religious identity can coexist in harmony. It is 100% possible to be devout and sexually active. Being religious does not necessitate that you are completely asexual. Though an individual may not follow their religious doctrines down to the last syllable in terms of sexuality, it is still entirely possible to one’s structure life around the Churches have even been created under this premises of respect and love that are a foundation egalitarian ideal of full acceptance. Reverend Troy for many faiths around the globe. Perry founded the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches in 1968 as a www.cityxtramagazine.com 6




LGBT High Rates of Substance Abuse By James Joshlin The Center for American Progress released a brief on “Why the Gay and Transgender Population Experiences Higher Rates of Substance Use� and what can be done to reduce these rates. Specifically, the brief mentions that an estimated 20 to 30 percent of gay and transgender people abuse substances, compared to about 9 percent of the general population.

to cope with the challenges. The data that are available about substance abuse show just how much of an impact this is having on the gay and transgender population. For example, gay and According to the brief, there are three main factors transgender people smoke tobacco up to 200 that contribute to these higher rates of substance percent more than their heterosexual use in the gay and transgender population. The counterparts. Additionally, twenty five percent of first factor is minority stress that comes from gay and transgender people abuse alcohol, social prejudice and discriminatory laws in compared to 5 to 10 percent of the general popueveryday life such as employment, relationship lation. recognition, and health care. Second, the lack of cultural competency in the health care system not The brief also mentions a number of only discourages gay and transgender individuals administrative and legislative recommendations from seeking treatment, but can lead to that if employed could help to reduce the high inappropriate or irrelevant service. Finally, rates of substance abuse within the gay and targeted marketing by alcohol and tobacco transgender population, including several outlined companies are exploiting the fact that bars and by the Center for American Progress last year that clubs are not only safe spaces for socialization for the Department of Health and Human Services gay and transgender individuals but provide easy could take. The legislative recommendations access to tobacco products and alcohol. included the passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), the Housing As a result, gay and transgender people turn to Opportunities Made Equal Act, The Respect for tobacco, alcohol, and other substances as a way Marriage Act, and the Health Equality Act.

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MARY’S CHANGING ATTITUDES By David Vandygriff As the ringing of Gay Marriage continues throughout the United States, many attitudes still have not changed. Never fear there is a cute little lady running around the country that is changing attitudes all served up with burgers and fries. What better way to change the minds of those Franchise system today. individuals than to feed them and entertain them with a drag show. As Daytona Beach, FL became the latest area to acquire the Hamburger Mary’s one can only The year 1972 ushered in Liza Minnelli’s Oscar wonder the future of such a business that is winning performance in Cabaret, the technology making drag shows a commodity in the breakthrough of Atari’s “PONG,” and the mainstream communities across the United introduction of Hamburger Mary’s to the SoMa States. The Motes family recently opened the district of San Francisco. doors in Daytona Beach and have an amazing track record with their Jacksonville, FL location as The original Hamburger Mary’s was a funky, giving back to the community and changing the friendly dive put together on a shoe-string budget. attitudes of its guest. With humble beginnings as an eclectic late-night beer and burger joint, Hamburger Mary’s quickly Nobody can deny the effect that Hamburger established itself as a staple in the LGBT Mary’s has had within the Jacksonville community. The mismatched flatware & dishes, community. Through drag shows, bingo, and food kooky artwork and antiques added to the kitsch the Jacksonville location has seen many guest and charm of the place. It was an “open-air bar that would have never changed attitudes until the and grille for open-minded people” (a motto they entered the doors and found a familiar still use today), where everyone was welcome. atmosphere of people simply living their lives The staff was always friendly and personable, and through respect, tolerance, and understanding. the food was always fresh and made-to-order. No minimum age requirements at Hamburger Before long, a second location was opened in Mary’s has given the chain an opportunity to Hawaii, then other locations started popping up. involve the entire family and demonstrate that the Some were opened by the original S.F. owners, LGBT community is a family unit just as those in while others were granted licensing agreements the straight community are. We are all one World to use the living life the best we can and gaining a great name. understanding of one another will only led to a There were great appreciation of each other. Hamburger even a few Mary’s has allowed both communities a safe “copy cats.” space to find common grounds and beginning the Collectively, healing between those sexual orientation different this was the communities. beginning of what has The future looks brighter as Mary stand in the become the middle holding the straight and gay communities Hamburger walking down the yellow brick road to see the Mary’s wizard.

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We Are Straight Allies By Chevara Orrin

Two months ago, I visited Pensacola for the first time as we began our We Are Straight Allies statewide expansion. No different than many communities throughout our nation, I found beautiful conscious humans grappling with the intersection of injustice and freedom: racism, homophobia, homelessness, the criminalization of homophobia, equality. Shit, now I was mad, too. poverty, and economic, education & healthcare All was not lost. A lovely gay activist stopped by to disparity. chat and picked up our tab after Father Monk told Breakfast at the Coffee Cup, a local gathering him what I was doing in the Panhandle. spot (kinda reminded me of "Mel's Diner) with Of course, I couldn't wait to get to Graffiti Bridge. Father Nathan Monk, Orthodox priest and What greeted me was an American flag and "F*** homeless advocate who gave up his priesthood in Fags!" the spirit of commitment to his beliefs about LGBT Father Monk shared that for the past two and a equality, was insightful and inspiring. He shared half weeks, a group of less than stellar human stories of his personal journey and work, recent beings from a tiny town 45 miles away had come tension and vitriol surrounding the Confederate to paint a rebel flag on the bridge. Townspeople flag and marriage equality, and hipped me to the waited them out and repainted. Each day. Graffiti Bridge (more formally known as the 17th I walked around the bridge, taking photographs, Avenue railroad trestle). stopping to read each line, trying to visualize the The bridge is a community canvas, a public humans whose hearts were hardened with such discourse space with no real "rules." A place hate. Teetering in six inch heels on rocks, broken where art & expression collide with politics and glass and sand as cars whizzed by whimsy. Artists paint daily, covering each other's When I'd had enough artist expression, I made my work. From memorials to Mardi Gras, portraits of way back to my car parked near the river bank. A Jesus and rainbow flags. family was preparing to sail. "DIXSEA" was her Midway through our conversation, we were name. I stood in the sweltering sun and watched interrupted by a late 30something white woman. them until they were only a speck against the She apologized for intruding and then said, "It's horizon. All the while, breathing deeply, filled with obvious you people aren't from around here, but rage, sorrow, shame and exhaustion. you could try a little Southern Hospitality! My child can hear your vulgar conversation!" She snatched A few feet away, two deeply sunkissed wrinkled men sat on the bank. One looked up, "Hey pretty her son by the arm and dragged him out of the lady, I like your bright dress. You a reporter? "No restaurant while I wrapped my mind around the sir, just passing through." "Ask her, Sam. She narrow and scary world she inhabits and picked looks like she outta know." He pointed to the boat my mouth up from the floor. in the distance. "Ain't that 'sposed to be taken A moment longer and I would have told her that down? All them Confederate flags?" yes, I am a daughter of the South, raised on the banks of the Mighty Mississippi River, in a cotton This week, I journeyed back to the Panhandle and added our voice to Graffiti Bridge. town with the same putrid history as Pensacola. I quickly asked Father Monk if I had dropped any Thankful for ancestors who despite weary bodies, "F" bombs. He laughed. Ohhhhh....right...the hearts and minds, kept it moving for my freedom. vulgarity of publicly discussing racism,

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7 Ways We Are Failing Gay Men By Tyler Curry

In honor of the seven percent, here are seven ways we are failing young gay men in America. Same-sex safe-sex Education. What's that? Since sex education materials often assume that a student is heterosexual, there is no such thing as same-sex education in the public school system, and there is also little political momentum to include it. And without an active safe-sex message being blasted from the rooftops of the gay community, young men are forced to figure it out through trial and error. Do as we say, not as we do. Wherever there is media content on HIV, there are a group of older men who chastise young people for not “knowing better.” Since many of these young men were born at the same time or after the first protease inhibitor was released to treat HIV, we can hardly expect them to just “know.” Furthermore, such shaming can often lead someone who is newly positive to hide their status, retreat from any discussions about HIV and even avoid medical treatment for fear of being “found out.” HIV-related content must only be for HIVpositive people. Save for the PrEP advocates, it can often seem as if the only people who are concerned with safer sex are people who are already HIV-positive. That is because many gay men tend not to believe that HIV-related content relates to them, even though an estimated one out of five gay men are living with the virus. No matter who you are, all gay men are affected by HIV. "They just don't care if they get it." There is an annoying but persistent sentiment that older generations have about younger gay men and their relationship with HIV. It is that young gay men know about their risks, they just don’t care if they catch it or not. But how could they know about said risks if they have never been educated on them? An 18 year old gay man was born in 1997, three years after the death of MTV star and HIV pioneer, Pedro Zamora. There is no longer any HIV presence in pop culture, nor is there even one HIV-positive role model close to their age.

Half-baked safer-sex messaging. Safe sex messaging still has a major presence in the gay community, but it can often be so vague that it barely makes an impact. Slogans like “know your status” and “get tested” are great, but they fail to connect with the young guy who receives an HIV-positive result. There is a general hesitance to portray the lives of HIV-positive people as happy and healthy for fear of glamorizing the disease, but this hesitance often leaves newly positive individuals with few examples of how to live their lives well. Becoming our parents when it comes to PrEP. When HIV first began to spread in the 80s, the last thing a young gay man needed was a lesson in morality. Yet that is exactly what the gay community got. There was a general public undertone of “that’s what you get” that permeated HIV messaging until it began to pop up in the heterosexual population. Today, something similar is happening with the HIV prevention pill known as PrEP, except the lesson in morality is often coming from within the gay community itself. Instead of arming young gay men with the tools they need to protect themselves from infection, medical practitioners and activists have spent the past three years arguing over whether this younger population was responsible enough to take PrEP if they were already careless enough to have condomless sex. Leaving the fight too soon. I think we can all agree that the fight for marriage equality was way more fun than the fight against HIV. So after the medication improved and people could live if they really wanted to, gay rights shifted from the right to live to the right to live happily ever after. In fact, it was just recently that the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), America’s largest LGBT rights group, even included HIV awareness and sexual health in its programming.

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