Community

Jay Mafela Ever since COVID-19 hit the nation two years ago, our world was changed forever under a global pandemic. What people forget is the other pandemic that plagues our lives even to this day: HIV. That’s why NFAN is there for us.  Located in Riverside, the Northeast Florida AIDS Network (NFAN) is the largest AIDS service organization in the region. For over 30 years, they have worked to prevent the spread of HIV or treat and assist those who have it. The group serves about 1,500 people every year and offers a large number of services. The main purpose …

Kale Boucher Are you a boy or a girl? Why are you ashamed of your body? What do you expect people to think? You don’t want to be a man? Why doesn’t your girlfriend just date a dude? It’s just the way it is. Keagan Anfuso, a woman and creator who just happens to feel comfortable rocking loose fitting clothes and a “boyish” haircut, copied these quotes from memory onto index cards. In preparation to pitch their film, co-director Drew Brown suggested Keagan write down all the comments she could remember: anything funny, hurtful, or outright confusing someone has said …

Florida, you have disappointed me once again. As if the LGBTQ+ community did not have enough to fear already, Florida legislation is adding a new law to ensure schools can no longer be a safe space for its students. We all know certain Florida government officials to be very controversial, but this absolutely takes the cake. The new legislation, if signed into law, will restrict primary schools from teaching students about sexual orientation and gender issues. What is the Parental Rights in Education bill? The bill, commonly known as the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill, is legislation passed by the Florida …

As the LGBTQ+ community faces more and more obstacles, including the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill, a safe place for the community is needed now more than ever. JASMYN is stepping up to take on the challenge in an effort to build a community where young LGBTQ+ members can freely be themselves, despite any backlash those members may face with friends and/or family. JASMYN is an organization that aims to provide a safe place offering health and wellness services to young members of the LGBTQ+ community. They offer development opportunities and promote equality for all. They believe the young members are …

Today’s whirlwind of media and pseudo activism makes it really hard to tell who is behind a business. Virtual signaling filling storefronts and social media posts aligning too perfectly with current issues are common tools businesses use to create an image of who they are, but it isn’t unusual company practices don’t align with these public cries of “Buy from us! We’re the good guys!”  Brew 5 Points, on the other hand, with no performative activism in sight, are indeed one of the good people. Putting the needs of the community on par with the needs of employees has kept  …

Kale Boucher I’ve long romanticized gardening. As soon as I got my hands on “The Adventures of Peter Rabbit” I was fixated by the idea of growing your own food. It’s only recently I’ve made the leap from childhood dreaming to tangible learning and practice. In this, I’m not alone. The concept of Urban Agriculture, or gardening in city spaces, has exploded in popularity in recent years. Urban Farming is not a new idea; there’s evidence of urban growing as far back as 3,500 BC Mesopotamia. However, it’s current resurgence is due in large part to the desire for more …

Rain Henderson Arriving at 3646 Post St, a line of eager people wraps around the small white building behind the Circle K. The trunk of an SUV is popped open, colorfully-socked feet sway from side to side inducing a focus only a small child licking an ice-cream cone in the heat of Florida could know. Tall, swirly, soft cream balances under hard hats and a bowl of sprinkled covered fruit rests carefully in the hands of an elderly woman. The iconic “sagging pants = no service” sign shines hilariously in the sun. Town Beer Owner, Alex Moldovan, describes Dreamette as …

Omar Aftab While we already see the signs of winter ending, spring doesn’t officially begin until March 20th. The first day of January is technically the start of the year, but the true signifier of change and passage of time is with the seasons. The days of gray skies and brisk air are coming to an end and being replaced by warmth and life. Trees are getting their leaves back, flowers are budding, birds and butterflies are making their return. That being said, the spring equinox is really just another day of the year. If nobody told you about it, …

By Lily Snowden For centuries, women have been oppressed. Not only as people, but also as artists. Think about it: The Mona Lisa? Painted by a man. The Starry Night? Painted by a Man. The Kiss? I think you get the point. It seems for centuries women could be the subjects of art, but could never be the creators of it. Many only consider art as paintings, drawings, or sculptures, and one artform people most often overlook is photography. The fact of the matter is photography has almost always been dominated by men. The first photo was taken by a …

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