cityXtra News (CXN Magazine) - Oct 2013 by Jax Gay Magazine

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Volume 3, Issue 9

CONTENTS VOL. 3, ISSUE 9

12 14 16

Rainbow411 World Legal Corner Religious Corner

PROFILE 08

IN EVERY ISSUE

Legends Return to Riverside

DOWN TO BUSINESS 03 06 12 14 16

Content Equality Florida Jacksonville Gala Photographs Rainbow411 World Religious Corner: Dr. Harvey Carr Legal Corner: Atty. Gordon Nicol

COVER STORY 10

BEST OF JAX TEACHER: Randy Lesson

IN OUR NEXT ISSUE Fall Arts Special Edition LGBTQ Concerns for Holiday Season Canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait for the next issue? Get a sneak preview. Subscribe to RSS feeds on our website, CXNMag.com, and visit us on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and Google+

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JACKSONVILLE 616: 616 Park St. (904) 358-6969

Boot Rack: 4751 Lenox Blvd. (904) 384-7090 bootrack.com Bo’s Club: 201 5th Ave. N. (Jax Beach) (904) 246-9874 bosclub.com Club Jax: 1939 Hendricks Ave. (904) 398-7451 clubjax.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) 384-0029 4

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nightlife

AJ Bar & Grill: 1024 Atlantic Blvd. (904) 805-9060 ajsbarjax.com

cityXtra cityXtra News Magazine Staff Publisher: David Vandygriff publisher@cxnmag.com Executive Editor: Louis Suffredini editor@cxnmag.com Creative Designer: Shane Johnson designer@cxnmag.com Director of Sales: Carlos Martinez sales@cxnmag.com cityXtra News Magazine is published by GLBT Advertising Inc. dba cityXtra News Magazine 2941 Plum Street Jacksonville, FL 32205 (904) 410-9592 Jacksonville Office (321) 426-0296 Orlando Office www.cxnmag.com

FROM OUR READERS What our readers tell us cityXtra readers occasionally write to us or make comments online about our website, print magazine, and e-edition. Here are the latest things they have to say:

“Great article on Cher. It was very informative and up-to-date. Great work!”

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Dr. Harvey Carr, Christ Church of Peace Joey Amato, OUT Reach Public Relations Dr. Doug Massengill, University of Lola Chicago Sebastion Fortino, Project Manager

Contributing Writers David Vandygriff, Mamie Joshlin, Joey Amato, Sebastion Fortino, Dr. Harvey Carr, Atty. Gordon Nicol, Greg Henchar, Michael Smith

DEADLINE FOR NOV 15th ISSUE IS NOV 5th COVER PHOTOGRAPHY David W. Vandygriff cityXtra News Magazine is published 12 times per year. Reprints are available. Contact of contributing advertisers does not reflect the opinions of the publisher. Advertisers have proofed respective articles, and content is assumed true and correct. cityXtra is not responsible for the business dealings of its advertisers. cityXtra is for information purposes only. cityXtra News Magazine (TM). All rights reserved. The contents of this publication, including articles, may not be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. Address changes should be submitted via e-mail to subscriptions@cxnmag.com. Send story ideas and requests for article reprints to pubisher@cxnmag.com or call 904.410.9592 Jacksonville Office or 321.426.0296 Orlando Office.

Got a great story to tell? We want to hear from you! We are always on the lookout for great candidates to profile for our Cover Story. Want to nominate yourself or someone you know let us know!

Comments or questions? Do you have comments about articles you’ve read or want to read? Good or bad, we’d like to hear from you. You can comment on articles online, or send your thoughts to the editor at editor@cxnmag.com. Follow us on Facebook to receive info on upcoming events and up-todate news. Facebook: cityxtramag

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EQUALITY FLORIDA JACKSONVILLE GALA

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LEGENDS RETURN TO RIVERSIDE Written By: Mamie S. Joshlin

As many have seen the bar scene and employees have somewhat changed venues over the past couple of months. Well at least some old faces. Hehe! Love you girls! Chasity Ross Boen has returned from her long hiatus at the beach to the old stomping grounds of the Norm Nightclub. We caught her at the Norm the other weekend and we must say the old girl still has it and is entertaining a wider range audience now days at the Norm from the mixed crowds of Professor Whiskey to the ALL NEW GIRLS night (Lesbians Wet’n’Wild), which is every 3rd Saturday of the month at the Norm, to Temptation Fridays with two Legendary Riverside Drag Queen faces, Beverly Wilde and China. WOW these three girls remind us of the good old days when drag was about the audience, over the top productions, and with a little drama to make sure you are on your toes through-out the night. The music and shows seem to have returned to the old place but with new flare. The Norm is the longest operating gay/lesbian venue in Jacksonville, FL. A small place with the BEST Patio in Riverside, LIVE Top 40 Dance DJ’s (Rob 8

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69 & Tim), with some of the most infamous and legendary drag queens of Jacksonville is sure to

draw your attention. We are glad to see an old hang out with a breath of fresh air for Jacksonville. The boys and girls now play together in the NEW sandbox of Riverside known as the NORM. We recommend you check out the new atmosphere and ambience of the Norm Nightclub located at 2952 Roosevelt Blvd, Jacksonville, FL. They are also now serving food 7 nights a week. Sunday brunch buffet 11a-3p with China hosting bingo at 1pm. Monday nights drag king & queens drink free cocktails 9p-11p & Karaoke with KJ Tim, Drag Idol Jax starts Tuesday October 15th, Sarah Moss Pride Reunion October 19th, and HALLOWEEN Party Saturday October 26th. An excellent mixture for any LGBTQ Member! Or ally!

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BEST of JAX TEACHER: RANDY LESSON Written By: Michael D. Smith

Normally you would not see another magazine mention in another magazine. However, this month we must make an exception. The Folio Weekly’s BEST OF JAX TEACHER Award goes to one within our own community. Mr. Randy Lesson, a Duval County School Teacher. Randy is a former contributing writer with cityXtra News, community volunteer, activist, and on and on. Laughing! The most important thing to know about Randy is that he is a good friend and one of Duval’s BEST Teachers. He is also a receiptant of the PFLAG Jacksonville’s Scholarship Fund. We wanted to just take a moment and congratulate Randy in representing our LGBTQ Community to the highest standards. Thank you Randy and again congratulations.

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RAINBOW411.com WORLD Written By: Greg Henchar

The Rainbow411.com is elated to be a featured contributor to cityXtra News Magazine. What an exciting time for our Jacksonville extended family. We are very excited about working together as team and bringing about continued change throughout Florida. We are an online directory that helps businesses connect with the LGBT Market Place. We have a heavy presence in St Pete, Tampa, and Orlando. Now we are here in Jacksonville to better help our LGBT Community find those businesses that are accepting and supportive. At Rainbow411.com we have always believed in giving back to our community and continue to do so daily. Find us at your local pride celebration and visit us on the web at www.rainbow411.com.

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You will find no other online directory that has customer base or user like ours. We are the #1 Online LGBT Directory in Florida because we believe in quality, fairness, and we are simply the BEST at providing a service to connect sellers and buyers. We also have our radio network, called GSH (Gay Safe Haven) Radio. Our studios are located the Flamingo Resort in St Pete, Florida. Every Wednesday tune in for a full afternoon line-up of some of the craziest and most informative talk radio in Florida. Special guest are a normal occurrence with GSH Radio and the not so normal talks are the best in talk radio. GSH Radio is now LIVE 24/7 with the entire latest dance and top 40 hits of today. Visit us at www.gshradio.com and www.rainbow411.com.

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LEGAL CORNER Written By: Gordon T. Nicol, Atty UNDERSTANDING THE LEGAL PROCESS OF ADOPTIONS PART 2

The first part of this series of articles provided information on the adoption process and also some of the realities and the misconceptions when people think about adoption. This article will address more of the process. For families and adoptive children it is critical to work with a lawyer to “navigate” the legal process and to finalize the adoption and form a family. I work with G/L/B/T clients who have heard from well-meaning family and friends about negative experiences from the past. Remember that Florida laws continue to change. As a G/L/B/T community, adoptions provide us –and our children – with families that we never imagined as even possible years ago. This changes our dreams and goals of who can be part of our family into today’s reality.

arent(s) are able to communicate or even visit the children. This is not always an easy decision for G/L/B/T parents. Be sure to discuss in detail with your lawyer the pro’s and con’s in each adoption. In a G/L/B/T adoption of a new born it is important to know that for your new born there are statutory waiting times. Depending on the circumstances the written agreement for the adoption can be between forty-eight hours after the child’s birth or when the child’s mom is discharged from the hospital. Depending on the biological father’s legal rights, and there are different time requirements.

For a G/L/B/T adoption for a child over six months, the laws in Florida are different. There are laws as to the consent of the adoption –and- also to change your mind. Sometimes birth parents will be pressured to sign. In those cases, your lawyer will present evidence to the court to show pressure upon the birth parents to agree to an adoption. A common misconception is who may adopt a child under Florida law. Single adults can adopt. A The biological parents must comply with very specific requirements of the Florida law to be step-parent may adopt his or her spouse’s child. Under Florida law, a person may not be prohibited valid. from adopting because of a physical disability Gordon T. Nicol, Attorney at Law unless the person is incapable of being and www.yourjacksonvillelawyer.com effective parent. E-mail : helpdesk@yourjacksonvillelawyer.com Ph : 904-384-4911 There is another misconception whether an adult G/L/B/T partner can be adopted by his or her G/L/ B/T partner. Florida laws recognize adult adoptions. This can be a valuable way to transfer an estate and pre-emptively work to address family fights. While Florida recognizes this type of adoption every state is different so please check with a lawyer in each state. For G/L/B/T adoptions, I routinely work with lesbian couples and “sperm donors.” Depending on the situation, the adoption can be structured as “open” or not. Unlike a number of other states, a lawyer in Florida can structure the adoption as “open” one. Open adoption is where the birth 14

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RELIOUS CORNER Written By: Dr. Harvey Carr

Building Solid Friendships “Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble.” – Proverbs 17:17 (The Message)

Time and talk. Genuine friendship takes time to develop. We must be willing to put aside other obligations and give priority to moments spent together. A generous portion of our time with each other should be spent talking - speaking about our thoughts and desires and also asking questions to prompt our companion to open up. This type of conversation allows a glimpse into the other person's heart and mind.

Friendships are among our most valuable assets. Acquiring quality companions - those who will laugh with us in good times and stand by us during trials - requires shared commitment and an investment of time and energy. Healthy Thanks. Everyone likes to feel appreciated. relationships thrive on . . . Expressing gratitude when friends are helpful will remind them that we're thankful to have them in Transparency. We must be honest with friends our life. Moreover, we affirm our love when we and encourage them to be truthful in return. To communicate how much we enjoy a certain aspect preserve a strong bond, we can't hide hurts or of their personality or remember an occasion that feelings of rejection they may have caused. is special to them. Transparency that is tied to accountability can also help make each individual a better person. A solid Being a good friend is a way to serve God. He relationship allows each party to gently point out designed us to be in relationship with others, so errors in the other's life and offer loving correction. we should give our best to every companion God places in our life.

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Volume 3, Issue 9

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Volume 3, Issue 9

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Volume 3, Issue 9

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Volume 3, Issue 9

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