cityXtra News (CXN Magazine) - Sept 2013

The Fight for Equality Continues with

Jacksonville Committee Equality, Human

Rights Campaign, and Equality Florida.

cityXtra News Magazine 2941 Plum Street Jacksonville, FL 32205 904.410.9592 www.CXNMag.com

SEPT/NOV 2013

2 CXNMAG.COM | Volume 3, Issue 9

IN EVERY ISSUE 12 Rainbow411 World 14 Legal Corner 16 Religious Corner

PROFILE

08 Brittany Moore: All American Goddess & Miss Heart of Florida

DOWN TO BUSINESS

03 Content 06 STEVE GRAND: Country Music’s First Gay Artist 12 Rainbow411 World 14 Religious Corner: Dr. Harvey Carr 16 Legal Corner: Atty. Gordon Nicol

COVER STORY

10 HRO Fights Continues in Jacksonville

River City Pride Special Edition GLBT Advertising Inc. Launches in Jacksonville, FL

Can’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+

IN OUR NEXT ISSUE

Volume 3, Issue 9 | CXNMAG.COM 3

08

06

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CONTENTS VOL. 3, ISSUE 9

JACKSONVILLE

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

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

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


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htlife

cityXtra News Magazine Staff

Publisher: David Vandygriff [email protected]

Executive Editor: Louis Suffredini [email protected]

Creative Designer: Shane Johnson [email protected]

Director of Sales: Carlos Martinez [email protected]

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

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 OCT 15th

ISSUE IS OCT 5th

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COVER PHOTOGRAPHY David W. Vandygriff

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STEVE GRAND: Country Music’s First Gay ArtistSTEVE GRAND: Country Music’s First Gay ArtistSTEVE GRAND: Country Music’s First Gay Artist

Steve Grand, who exactly is Steve Grand?

Unless you have been hiding under a rock, you no doubt have heard the name Steve Grand. One title he has been given is Country Music’s First Gay Artist. Well we maybe Country Music’s First Gay OUT Artist, but we highly doubt the first. Haha!

Steve Grand came sweeping into the world via You Tube. An adorable critter with big brown puppy dog eyes and a smile that could make Putin (Russia’s President) turn gay. The voice will have you swooning at the first note he sings as he uses his smile to finish the job of sweeping you off your feet. But wait, it’s not the adorable looks, excellence voice, nor those big brown puppy do eyes that has the world looking at Steve Grand. It’s the lyrics of his songs and those words written that tell of his struggles from the past. No it’s not about whiskey, beer, and d-i-v-o-r-c-e! It is about gay boy falls for straight boy in the setting of high school days running around the country side with friends on a weekend. The real part that is making headlines and gaining attention from CNN, Good Morning America, Advocate, and beyond is the stories and videos. You see the stories are those that we all, as LGBT have experienced. We now have an individual that is willing to put it all out there in his songs and videos. It seems nothing is off limits with Steve

and he is not afraid to break down more barriers. Steve maxed out his credit cards to produce his first video that has gained him the reorganization as the First Gay Country Artist. One could assume that it would that important to Steve to produce the video and get his message out to the world. Now if the CMA’s was to recognize Steve Grand and one of the new and upcoming artist through a nomination, well then boys and girls he would be more than on his way. Hell Country Music would have to make way for a new fan club, Country LGBT Music Fans. Not that there hasn’t always LGBT Fans, it would be more OUT of the closet. We commend Steve for taking the chance with his first video and praise him even more taking a stand in telling his person stories through songs and videos. Thanks Steve, for becoming a role model to the younger generation and continuing to break down barriers. As a Mississippi raised boy it does my heart good to see those like myself making an impact around the world for change, equality, and leadership.


Written By: David W. Vandygriff



BRITTANY MOORE: All American Goddess & Miss Heart of FloridaBRITTANY MOORE: All American Goddess & Miss Heart of FloridaBRITTANY MOORE: All American Goddess & Miss Heart of Florida

Written By: Mamie S. Joshlin

Miss Brittany Moore of

Jacksonville has found her groove. What a comeback this young lady has made over the past 3 years since her return to the stage. Like her or not, she has turned the pageant worlds head. We would have to say those that don’t like are merely jealous. Haha! It happens in the entertainment world. A wonderful friend of cityXtra News Magazine and always willing to volunteer for a good cause, she is a wonderful role model for the younger generation. A savvy business woman, national title holder, and international entertainer, she simply seems unstoppable in 2013. The girl is on fire we tell you.

With Brittany being on fire around the world it is no wonder that Hamburger Mary’s Jax caters to a full booked shows on Friday and Saturday nights. Ham-burger Mary’s is Brittany’s home. H a m b u r g e r Mary’s Jax brings in top notch entertainers from around the

country and we have no doubt this is due to Brittany being the Show Director and expecting no less that excellence from the show cast and special guest at Hamburger Mary’s Jax. To take you about over the past three years will be the only way we can tell this story. Brittany had taken a few years off from entertaining up till 3 years ago. She came back locally and started the pageant circuit for All American Goddess and Miss

Heart of Florida. She failed to capture the titles the first 3 years but last year she was crowned Miss Heart of Florida in December 2012 and crowned All American Goddess in June 2013. WOW what a way to make a statement that your back. Since achieving both her dreams within 6 months of one another, she has traveled the country helping bring a special awareness of Jacksonville across the country. Her schedule is grueling and never ending but she still makes time for her family, friends, and growing fan base. Also, when in town she makes every effort to continue to give back to our LGBT Community through fundraisers and benefits. Brittany is always willing to help those up and coming entertainers and her long time sisters. We can hope that after this wonderful reign we get our Brittany back on a more regular basis, in the mean time we must now share her with world. This is your time to shine, so enjoy and take a mo-ment to let it all in gurl. We love you Brittany!



HRO FIGHTS CONTINUES IN JACKSONVILLEHRO FIGHTS CONTINUES IN JACKSONVILLEHRO FIGHTS CONTINUES IN JACKSONVILLE Written By: Michael D. Smith

The one year anniversary of the failed HRO

(Human Rights Ordinance) purposed changed for Jacksonville, FL came and went without fanfare. Many people have said it will never happen in Jacksonville. The movement seems failed and whaling in the wind somewhere off the beaches of Jacksonville Beach. Hum Jacksonville Beach seems there might be a movement taking foot in the most liberal party of Duval County. Nobody can truly say the dream has died or that people are still working behind closed doors to develop a new and improved strategy to gain the approval for changing the HRO to include sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. In fact the group has nearly tripled in size and continues to meet with political officials, business persons, advocates, etc. The latest work for the Jacksonville Committee, Equality Florida, and Human Rights Campaign is pushing to have the Jacksonville Beach Council enter a resolution for a HRO Change to include sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. So if you think the HRO change is dead or none moving you my friend have under estimated the Jacksonville Committee for Equality. Many dedicated individuals have been working hard to help improve your quality of life in Jacksonville. Agree or disagree with the current strategy, we are all still family and must unite to bring about change to a city we love and cherish. One must also know that the Jacksonville Committee for Equality is NOT alone in its efforts. The full backing, support, and feet on the ground in Jacksonville from Equality Florida and the Human Rights Campaign are in full force. The Human Rights Campaign and Equality Florida have set aside money to hire a full-time person in the Jacksonville Area. Petitions are still

be collected and conversations are taking place. Nobody really expected the HRO change to happen the first time around. Seriously, if you did you have never watched politics. As the time for newly elected City Council in 2015 is fast approaching, we must vote and become involved in the vetting process. Keeping the HRO change a HOT topic and one that must be answered by all candidates and then our community informed about the candidates. OUT Jacksonville did an outstanding job during the past election and we hope they continue their efforts going forward, along with Equality Florida, Jacksonville Committee for Equality, and the Human Rights Campaign. And keep in mind we have an openly LGBT Candidate running for City Council District 7, James Eddy. Check out his website, drop him an email, ask him questions, and let’s elect James Eddy to City Council in 2015. What a change that would be for our city. To help bring about change in Jacksonville and surrounding areas, visit Facebook Page Jacksonville Committee for Equality, www.eqfl.org, or www.hrc.org. Don’t be a sideliner that sits there and complains instead be an instrument for change no matter our differences. The choice is yours!



RAINBOW411.com WORLDRAINBOW411.com WORLDRAINBOW411.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.

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.



LEGAL CORNERLEGAL CORNERLEGAL CORNER Written By: Gordon T. Nicol, Atty

UNDERSTANDING THE LEGAL PROCESS OF ADOPTIONS PART 1

Adoption is a life changing event- not only for the

children but also for the parents. The entire future for everyone changes. Families truly determine who we become as adults.

This series of articles will provide information on the adoption process and also address some of the realities and the misconceptions when people think about adopting.

There are a number of misconceptions regarding adoptions. The biggest misconception is the cost. Other misconceptions are what happens when one of the adoptive parents dies; what happens when the adoptive parents divorce; the legal steps required under Florida law; who can be adopted; and who can be an adoptive parent.

The biggest misconception is the cost of adoptions. Adoption is more “affordable” than people think. There are some adoptions which can be very complicated and more expensive. Please know this is the exception rather than the rule.

Another misconception happens regarding the death of the adoptive parents. After the adoption, the “new” mother or “father” may die from and accident or, more commonly, old age. Frequently the biological children will argue that the adoptive child should not be included in dividing the estate of the deceased parent. This is often times the situation when a lot of money is involved or one child feels that another child “wasn’t there” to help take care of mom or dad. Florida law does consider the adoptive child to be treated the same as the biological child. Because of this biological children don’t get to exclude the adopted sibling from the estate.

Another misconception involves what happens when the adoptive parents get divorced. During the divorce one of the parents may argue that they

should not have to pay child support because the child was adopted. The adoptive child is treated the same as the biological children and the court will order child support.

Part of the adoption process requires knowing if there are on other siblings of the prospective child to be adopted. This is essential as some prospective parents can “focus” on adopting one child. It is important to know if the child has other siblings and if they are also in need to be adopted. Making the decision to adopt a number of children should be made carefully for the children and the prospective parents. Rather than rush through the adoption process to adopt other siblings because of guilt, I advise talking with adoption agencies and support groups to make sure it is the “right” thing for everyone involved.

When you are thinking about adopting, talk with your lawyer and discuss the specifics of your situation. Next month I will cover more information about different Florida laws.

The above article is general in nature and should not be relied upon for specific legal advice. Every legal situation is different.

Gordon T. Nicol, Attorney at Law www.yourjacksonvillelawyer.com E-mail : [email protected] Ph : 904-384-4911



RELIOUS CORNERRELIOUS CORNERRELIOUS 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) 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 relationships thrive on . . . Transparency. We must be honest with friends and encourage them to be truthful in return. To preserve a strong bond, we can't hide hurts or feelings of rejection they may have caused. Transparency that is tied to accountability can also help make each individual a better person. A solid relationship allows each party to gently point out errors in the other's life and offer loving correction.

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. Thanks. Everyone likes to feel appreciated. Expressing gratitude when friends are helpful will remind them that we're thankful to have them in our life. Moreover, we affirm our love when we communicate how much we enjoy a certain aspect of their personality or remember an occasion that is special to them. Being a good friend is a way to serve God. He designed us to be in relationship with others, so we should give our best to every companion God places in our life.








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cityXtra News (CXN Magazine) - Sept 2013