cityXtra May 2014 by Jax Gay Magazine

Photography by Cedric Terrell

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CONTENTS VOL. 4, ISSUE 8

14 16

Legal Corner Religious Corner

PROFILE 08

IN EVERY ISSUE

Gay Marriage vs Florida

DOWN TO BUSINESS 03 06 07 10 16 20

Content Strides for Pride Jacksonville Community Awards Miss Daisy: Keep’em Honest Legal Corner: Status of Gay Marriage Religious Corner: Gay Religion

COVER STORY 13

Hause of Andrews: Sofia Andrews

IN OUR NEXT ISSUE Religious Corner Legal Corner Can’t wait for the next issue? Get a sneak preview. Subscribe to feeds on our website, cityXtraMagazine.com, and visit us on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and Google+

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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

Hamburger Mary’s: 3333-1 Beach Blvd. (904) 551-2048 hamburgermarys.com/jax 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 The Norm: 2952 Roosevelt (904) 384-9929

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nightlife

Club Jax: 1939 Hendricks Ave. (904) 398-7451 clubjax.com

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Strides for Pride 2014

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Jacksonville Community Awards 2014

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Gay Marriage vs Florida: Suit Ask Court to Rule Ban Unconstitutional Written By: Jason Massengill

Virginia. MIAMI — Plaintiffs challenging Florida’s constitutional ban on same-sex marriage asked a state court on Thursday to rule that the ban is unconstitutional. In their motion, the six same-sex couples and Equality Florida Institute argue that Florida’s ban on marriage equality violates the Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses of the U.S. Constitution. The motion asserts that Florida’s marriage ban cannot stand in light of the Supreme Court’s ruling last June that the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) violates the federal constitutional guarantees of equal protection and due process.

The couples, all from the South Florida area, filed their lawsuit in January in Miami-Dade Circuit Court. It is one of four lawsuits challenging Florida’s prohibition on same-sex marriage, and recognition of lawful same-sex marriages performed out-of-state. “The law should treat all families fairly. Florida’s marriage ban makes it harder for same-sex couples to take care of one another and protect their children,” said Nadine Smith, Executive Director of Equality Florida Institute.

“We are confident when we have our day in court Florida will stand with other courts The couples’ papers note that every court to across the country in concluding these laws consider these federal constitutional claims violate the basic principles of fairness and since last summer’s Supreme Court decision equality for all,” she said. has ruled in favor of the freedom to marry for The plaintiffs are represented by the same-sex couples, including federal courts National Center for Lesbian Rights. in Utah, Ohio, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Illinois, Michigan, Tennessee, Texas, and

Plaintiffs (from left): Don Johnston and Jorge Isaias Diaz, Jeff and Todd Delmay, Dr. Juan Carlos Rodriguez and David Price, Vanessa and Melane Alenier, Summer Grace and Pamela Faerber. (Nit pictured: Catherina Pareta and Karla Arguello.) 8

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www.eddy4dist7.com

SATURDAY JUNE 28, 2014

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MISS DAISY: Keep’em Honest Written By: Miss Daisy

Welcome all Xtra’s! Another month has passed and we see the games continue in Jacksonville. LOL Oh the games of the gays!

Jacksonville R-O-C-K!

Be sure to check out some of the photos from the Jacksonville Community Awards Show Jacksonville was a buzz last month with the 2014. Many faces you will know and some Jacksonville Community Awards 2014. 3rd you will not. The Awards Show has become Annual such event if you want to keep track. on the must attend events of Jacksonville. Everybody attended in such full black tie and Not much tea this month so we will leave it evening gown attire. WOW Jacksonville there boys and girls for this month. Till next cleans up so damn well. We knew you all month, Momma will keep the light on for you could. at Motel 6. This message is proudly sponsored by Motel 6 and VODKA, cause without The evening was full of excitement and anticipation, not to rip off a line from the VODKA Momma would just stay in bed all Rocky Horror Picture Show just for you young day long. Tata Xtra’s till next month. Xtra’s to know what Momma’s talking about. Watch the movie children, watch the movie! This exhausting bridging the age gap not that Momma’s old or anything. ROFL Many of Jacksonville’s finest attended the Awards Show and partied till morning hours. The show was hosted by Jacob Long, First Coast News and Karrissa Wade CW TV Star. Miss Wade kept Momma in stitches all night long and even Miss Long was almost rolling in the floor by the end of the evening. We heard her future boyfriend even had a great time. Most ended up at Metro Nightclub giving the nightclub one of its busiest nights of the year thus far. Momma can’t wait to see what Mr. David Vandygriff pulls out of his hat for next year. This annual event continues to grow and improve each year. Kudos for Mr. Vandygriff in giving Jacksonville an evening to where everyone comes together and celebrates those individuals that make 10

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Hause of Andrews: Sofia Andrews Written By: David W. Vandygriff

The Hause of Andrews is widely regarded as one the country’s best illusionists & well-know drag families. The matriarch, Erica Andrews, passed away last March. Erica Andrews was originally Erica Hutton, she inherited the last name Andrews from her late drag mother and mentor, Tandri Andrews. Erica Andrews was Drag Mother to many across the country, with titles Miss Continental, Miss Transsexual America, and

With Knives. Her children are no less with more pageant titles that continue the ANDREWS’s LEGACY in true Hause of Andrews fashion & style. The Hause of Andrews Includes Eric, Sofia, Roxxxy, Sasha, Janet, Sierra, Salma, Danny Dash, Josephine, Gia, Nikko, Honey, Toni, Chanel, Dulce, Campbell, Lyn-z, Ares, Aalani, Armani, Felisha, Amunique, & Shawn Taylor..

was representing Mexico.” We asked her what the requirements of becoming an Andrews were. Sofia stated, “Erica also said you had to different and unique.” Sofia recalled the first time she met Erica and how she felt when Erica saw her that she recognized her. As with many in the career field, Sofia’s idol was and is Erica Andrews. Sofia said that the Hause of Andrews was not all about beauty but more about being unique and different, thus why you see plus size entertainers, male We had the chance to catch-up with Sofia one night entertainers, pageant queens, Miss International Queen and and ask a few questions. RuPauls’ Drag Race Stars, appearances on Tyra, The etc. in the Hause of Andrews. Sofia said, “I adopted the Maury Povich Show and the name Andrews at the request As we continued to talk we controversial camp-horror asked Sofia about her of Erica after Miss flicked Ticked-Off Trannies struggles as a transgender International Queen when I 12

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Thus brings us to Jacksonville’s own Andrews, Miss Sofia Andrews. Sofia is cast member at one of Jacksonville’s nightclubs called InCahoots. We would expect no less in entertainment with the likes of Sofia Andrews at InCahoots. InCahoots is an award winning nightclub, with awards from Jacksonville’ Community Awards for Best Nightclub 2012 & 2013, Best Bar Owner 2012, 2013, 2014, and Best Dance Club 2014.

want to embarrass her mother and her mother was the same way. Sofia said being transgender is like having to Come Out twice in your life, once when you are gay and a second time when you are transgender. Sofia went on to say that being transgender is not easy but that her family was always accepting, supportive, and loving. She even said that due to another transgender that she grew up around that she always knew woman. She recalled the time what she wanted and how she came to America at the she felt about her body. Sofia age of 15 and was enrolling in wishes to become more school. Her and her mother involved in local politics had went to the local school concerning transgender and the school kept saying issues and those issues he, she, she, he and Sofia facing the youth right here in knew at that very moment the Jacksonville Area. We are why the school did not accept sure that we have only seen her. She said that she didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the tip of the ice berg when it say much because she didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t comes to the gracious beauty, inside and outside known as Sofia Andrews. Sofia Andrews is a legacy with pageant titles and the ability to draw you into her performance with seduction and the art of illusion. Her smile, grace, and stage presence are to be commended and admired by most. Sophia is one of the most beautiful personalities inside and out with a seductress & natural beauty that entertainers wish to attain. She is absolutely BODY BEAUTIFUL from the

inside to the outside and a must see when visiting Jacksonville, FL.

Therefore, make sure you catch one of her shows to see a legacy from the Hause of Andrews at InCahoots. We promise you will NOT be disappointed.

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Legal Corner: Status of Gay Marriage Written By: Douglas Massengill

6 States by Court Decision

California* (June 28, 2013), Connecticut (Nov. 12, 2008), Iowa (Apr. 24, 2009), Massachusetts (May 17, 2004), New Jersey (Oct. 21, 2013), New Mexico (Dec. 19, 2013)

Oklahoma's gay marriage ban unconstitutional on Jan. 14, 2014. The Judge stayed his decision because of the anticipated appeal to the US Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit in Denver, the same court set to hear the Utah appeal.

inequality can find no refuges in our U.S. Constitution.â&#x20AC;? He then stayed his own decision pending appeal to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, leaving same-sex marriage illegal in Texas.

federal judge ruled Michigan's gay marriage ban 8 States by State Legislature unconstitutional. US District Delaware (July 1, 2013), federal judge ruled part of Judge Bernard Friedman Hawaii (Dec. 2, 2013), Illinois Kentucky's gay marriage ban wrote that "Today's decision... (law will take effect June 1, unconstitutional. Kentucky affirms the enduring principle 2014), Minnesota (Aug. 1, must now recognize that regardless of whoever 2013), New Hampshire (Jan. same-sex marriages legally finds favor in the eyes of the 1, 2010), New York (July 24, performed in other states. most recent majority, the 2011), Rhode Island (Aug. 1, That part of the ban was the guarantee of equal protection 2013), Vermont (Sep. 1, only section challenged and must prevail." Around 300 2009) the only section ruled on so same-sex couples received gay marriage is not currently marriage licenses before the 3 States by Popular Vote legal in Kentucky. US 6th Court of Appeals Maine (Dec. 29, 2012), issued a stay on the decision Maryland (Jan. 1, 2013), Washington (Dec. 9, 2012) federal judge ruled Virginia's on Mar. 22, 2014, making same-sex marriage illegal gay marriage ban again in Michigan, pending same-sex marriage on Mar. 3, unconstitutional. The judge stayed her decision because the appeal process. On Mar. 2010. 28, 2014, US Attorney of the anticipated appeal, meaning gay marriage is not General Eric Holder stated legal in Utah on Dec. 20, that the marriages performed currently legal in Virginia. 2013 when a federal judge prior to the stay being issued ruled that the state's gay would be recognized by the federal judge ruled Texas' gay federal government: "These marriage ban was marriage ban unconstitutional, but on Jan. families will be eligible for all unconstitutional. Judge 6, 2014 the US Supreme relevant federal benefits on Orlando Garcia wrote Court put a stay on the the same terms as other "Without a rational relation to same-sex marriages.â&#x20AC;? decision pending the state's a legitimate governmental appeal. purpose, state-imposed 16

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Religious Corner: Gay Religion Written By: Carlos Martinez

Conflicts over homosexuality and gay rights threaten to break apart denominations, if not North American society. These heated theological and political debates have, as well, obscured the fact that many gays and lesbians are religiously active individuals. Gay Religion is the first book to give a straightforward presentation of the spiritual lives, practices and expressions of gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender. Drawing from a wide range of religious traditions, new and established scholars explore the range of gay religious expression in denominations, sects, and even outside recognized religious institutions. The essays ask what these religious innovations mean to the continually evolving religious environment of North America. With its helpful section introductions and an appendix providing profiles of organizations involved, Gay Religion is a unique and compelling resource for anyone interested in homosexuality and American religion. About The Authors: Scott Thumma is professor of sociology of 20

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religion, web and distance education at the Hartford Institute for Religion Research, Hartford Seminary. Edward R. Gray is visiting assistant professor of religion at Emory University and the executive director of YouthPride, a community based youth service and advocacy organization in Atlanta.

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