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Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Kendra TV Show Takes on LGBT Issues










In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with actor Bill Brochtrup and producer Jon Avnet about their new television series “Kendra” on the WIGS Network which is the #1 channel for scripted drama on YouTube. Openly gay actor Bill Brochtrup played the gay temp, John Irvin on “NYPD Blue” and straight ally writer/director Jon Avnet is credited with decades of award winning television and film productions including “Black Swan” and “Fried Green Tomatoes”. Kendra is about a bi-sexual post-op nurse played by Sarah Jones (Vegas, Alcatraz) and set in a hospital recovery room known as “Twilight” where people coming off anesthesia are more vulnerable to their true self. Her roommates are a multi-racial gay couple Arnold and Kenny (Brochtrup and DeVaughn Nixon) all of whom served in both Iraq and Afghanistan. We talked to Brochtrup and Avnet about this edgy series that addresses “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and other LGBT topics.

When asked what his personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights Brochtrup stated, “I’m gay. I’ve been an openly gay actor for many years since I began working on ‘NYPD Blue’. I’ve always been an optimist as far as history goes. I feel like things are moving quickly towards complete equal rights for LGBT people and it may seem slow sometimes to people who are out in the field fighting for these things but over the course of history we will realize that this has happened very quickly in this country and I’m proud to have played a small part in that. I think that images we see in the media can really move this zeitgeist and make people understand that LGBT people are just like everyone else and want the same things that everyone else wants. So I’ve always found the important thing people can do is come out, be themselves and lead an honest life and it’s been shown many times that the more the straight world gets to know gay people, they’re in their family, they’re in their workplace, we’re everywhere as part of the fabric of the community, the more people are accepting that it’s not that big a deal.”

WIGS Launched in May 2012 on YouTube and has 92,848 subscribers and 18,829,167 video views. It consists of provocative, edgy and addictive series, short films, and documentaries, featuring complex, compelling characters played by female leads. Created by Jon Avnet and Rodrigo Garcia (“Albert Nobbs,” “In Treatment”) the channel combines Hollywood’s most successful creative minds with the innovation and power of the digital age to deliver consumers high-quality, original entertainment.
For More Info: youtube.com/wigs 


WATCH VIDEO CLIP

Monday, December 17, 2012

Kate Clinton: 2012 LGBT Review & 2013 Forecast










In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Kate Clinton, our favorite lesbian political humorist. As we head into the New Year it’s time to reflect on 2012 and chat about what 2013 will bring our LGBT community. This has been an amazing year for LGBT people starting with Obama finally coming out in support of marriage equality, Tammy Baldwin being the first lesbian elected to the U.S. Senate and gay marriage passing in Washington, Maryland and Maine. Now with Obama being elected to another term and gay marriage and Proposition 8 headed to the U.S. Supreme Court we have a lot to look forward to in the coming year. We talked to Kate about these events and her spin on our LGBT issues.

When asked what she would like to see happen for LGBT civil rights in the next four years, Clinton stated, “Well there’s a lot of things that still need work on and I think we can certainly keep pushing for marriage equality on the federal level. But, I think that we still have a lot of work to do on immigration, a lot of work to do on HIV/AIDS, a lot of work to pass ENDA, a trans inclusive ENDA because in so many states they don’t have non discrimination laws. So a federal nondiscrimination law would be a great start and it’s been stalled forever. There are those LGBT things to work on but I also think that… I’m not a physicist, I’m a metaphysicist… which is hard to say really. You know I think that there’s a certain amount of freedom and just a very finite amount and you know we gave some to the gays so we’re going to have to take it away from somewhere and it seems to be taken away from women. In a lot of ways, I think that women are the new gays. LGBT people need to be reminded, they do know it in their hearts, that our issues are also issues of choice and that we have to support the women’s movement and support women working against violence, for reproductive freedom and that those are our issues as well. In short we still have work to do.”

Join Kate Clinton for her world-famous 2013 SIS-BOOM-BAH TOUR! Once again, she'll be shaking her pom poms, pumping up the crowd, leading the cheers and jeers. Sis is for the sisters and others. Boom for the boomers and babes. Bah to anyone who doesn't have team spirit. Verbal stunts, tumbling in the aisles and laughing side-splits! Climb on the human pyramid of fun. Catch the spirit of SIS-BOOM-BAH!  
For More Info: kateclinton.com

Monday, December 10, 2012

LGBT Activist Laverne Cox Speaks OUT










In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Laverne Cox, actress, producer and transgender advocate currently appearing in the new Susan Seidelman (Desperately Seeking Susan) film MUSICAL CHAIRS. This must-see film is a unique blend of dance, drama, and romance starring newcomers Leah Pipes and E.J. Bonilla as a pair of unlikely lovers in contemporary New York who must face a number of challenges both separately and together before finding one another and themselves. Also appearing is Tony-winner Priscilla Lopez, Jaime Tirelli, Morgan Spector, Auti Angel, Jerome Preston Bates, Nelson R. Landrieu and Angelic Zambrana, We talked to Laverne about the film, the GLAAD National Campaign "I AM: Trans People Speak" co-sponsored by The Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition that she is involved with and her spin on our LGBT civil rights.

When asked what her personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights Cox stated, “I think about this and I really think it’s about me being an American and me being a proud American. I love this country and I love what this country in theory stands for. I believe that all our citizens are equal and should be treated and seen equally under that law and we know that’s not quite how it is for LGBT folk specifically trans folks because I’m trans I take it kind of personally. I’m discriminated against when the laws don’t necessarily accommodate the reality of my life. So my commitment really is a commitment to American values and what this country should be about. The commitment to equality and I just know from my own personal experience so often I’ve been made to feel less than because I’m trans and I don’t think anyone should be made to feel less than because of who they are on a fundamental level. So I think a lot of my commitment comes out of these things.”

Laverne Cox made television history when she became the first African American transgender woman to appear on a reality television program, VH1’s “I Wanna Work for Diddy” in 2008. Laverne is also the first African American transgender woman to produce and star in her own television show, VH1’s critically acclaimed “TRANSForm Me”. Laverne has garnered critical acclaim for her role in “Musical Chairs”. Keith Uhlich of “Time Out” wrote, “You leave remembering…Laverne Cox’s galvanizing mettle as a paraplegic transsexual who befriends Mia.” Laverne is currently in production in the upcoming Netflix original television prison series "Orange is the New Black" by the creator of "Weeds" Jenji Kohan premiering in 2013. Cox has appeared on NBC’s "Law and Order" and "Law and Order: SVU", as well as HBO’s "Bored to Death." Her other independent film credits include “Carla,” “36 Saints” and “The Exhibitionists.” She is also a regular contributor to Huffington Post.
For More Info: lavernecox.com 
  
For Musical Chairs Info

Monday, December 3, 2012

Gay Ally Vintage Trouble Speaks OUT










In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with gay allies, lead singer Ty Taylor and bassist Rick Barrio Dill from the R & B band VINTAGE TROUBLE. We first met VINTAGE TROUBLE in October when they were partnering with groups to register voters at their concerts and at campaign events. At the time they were touring with Joss Stone. VINTAGE TROUBLE is currently on tour with the legendary rock band THE WHO. We talked to Ty and Rick about their music, touring with THE WHO and their spin on LGBT civil rights.

When asked what their reaction was to Obama being re-elected and gay marriage passing in Washington, Maryland and Maine Rick stated, “It was moving for us for a lot of reasons. Not only for a lot of our friends and family that this is an important issue but just as a country I think it’s imperative that we move forward. We’ve been very fortunate to travel to a lot of different countries and places and the viewpoint and the social sort of zeitgeist feels in a lot of places like it’s further then it is in America. So it was very important to see the progress and to see the progression of some of these issues like gay rights and even the continuation of a lot of the things this President is trying to lay out. It was great to just feel like we’re moving forward and we’re keeping the pedal to the metal as far as progress.” Ty added, “I was excited but also in my mind it’s just infuriating to be even dealing with issues like this anymore. More so than lesbian, gay, any of these kinds of issues, there should be a basic civil right issue and I can’t believe anyone is still trying to tell any particular group of people that they can’t marry anyone from any other group of people or from the same group of people. Just doesn’t make sense to me. So I’m excited that we got to add more states to the pool of states that have already realized that marriage should be marriage and I was excited that Obama was re-elected. All of these things should just be evident. It shouldn’t even be a question that Obama was the new President again and it shouldn’t be even a question that Washington DC should allow gay marriage. Every state should allow it. It’s just silly and almost, I hate to say the word ‘stupid’ or use stupidity because I try to be nonjudgmental but the idea that someone can’t marry someone is just ridiculous to me.”

Vintage Trouble released their studio album The Bomb Shelter Sessions in 2011 that won them the 2011 Classic Rock Award for "Best New Band." The band is from Hollywood, California and consists of lead singer Ty Taylor, Nalle Colt guitars/vocals, Rick Barrio Dill bass guitar/vocals and drummer Richard Danielson. Vintage Trouble is currently opening for legendary rock band The Who’s North American tour entitled ‘Quadrophenia & More’. Surviving members Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend are performing the 1973 album in its entirety along with other classic songs from their catalog. Pete’s brother Simon Townshend is on guitar. Replacing the late original drummer Keith Moon and bassist John Entwistle are Zakk Starkey, Ringo‘s son and Pino Palladino on bass. We caught this concert in Boston and it was brilliant. THE WHO is on a 37 US city-tour. Don’t miss it.
For More Info: vintagetrouble.com
 
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Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Gay Activist Michelle C. Bonilla Speaks OUT










In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Alma Award-winning actor Michelle C. Bonilla, one the first openly gay Latina actors in Hollywood. Bonilla appeared for 12 Seasons on NBC’s ER as the sexy Latina paramedic "Harms" in one of the first ongoing lesbian roles on network television. Michelle C. Bonilla and Matt Crabtree have created a new sitcom web series “Failing Upwards” that follows a group of four unlikely friends who find themselves going through unemployment together. Each of the characters, inept in their own special way, ends up surprising themselves, each other and the audience with the hilarity of finding a job, even if you have to lie to get one. We talked to Michelle about her new series, how the Latino vote helped re-elect Obama and her spin on our LGBT Issues.

When asked what her personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights and coming out in Hollywood, Bonilla stated, “I am very much a proponent for the Human Rights Campaign. I love what they stand for and I’m just really getting the word out about equality in our community. First of all I believe that whoever you are as an individual you have to be true to yourself. My truth at that time I came out was that I’m a lesbian Latina working in Hollywood and I had nothing to hide and feel no shame about it. A lot of questions that came up for me was like ‘are you sure you want to do this?’ Agents asked me worried about what casting directors would think or producers would think. I have been acting for quite a long time and I felt that producers already knew me for my talent and what I have done as an actor and when I go into a room for an audition I don’t think that being gay is the thing they’re thinking about. They’re thinking can you do this job. So I’ve been very lucky in the sense that I’ve been judged based on my talent and not my sexuality.”

 Besides “Failing Upwards” Michelle C. Bonilla’s recent credits include “Luck”, “Model Minority”, “Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior” and “The Closer”. She also co-stars with Lauren Birriel in the award winning short “Slip Away” about lovers caught in a web of desire, deception and untruth that’s available on Amazon.
For More Info: failingupwardstheseries.com 

 Watch Video





Monday, November 19, 2012

Gay Israeli Chef Gil Hovav Speaks OUT










 In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Gil Hovav, Israel's leading culinary journalist and television personality. Gil was recently in Boston in celebration of “Out In Israel Month” a program to educate about the status of civil rights for LGBT Israeli citizens and exchange ideas about our LGBT community in both Israel and Massachusetts. We talked to Hovav about this, LGBT issues, his newest cookbook “Confessions of a Kitchen Rebbetzin” and his spin on the current Gaza conflict.

When asked what his personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights, Hovav stated, “To tell you the truth I’m not a very political person. So I usually do not lead pride. Sometimes because I’m known in Israel they ask me to join this fight or another and I always do it gladly but I’m not a picket sign holder. I think that the most important thing when you reach a certain level of celebrity is to be out because otherwise it’s a bad example for youngsters. Of course I am against outing but I think that it’s my moral duty to be as out as I can, to speak to people, to talk to people about my loving family, of my relationship with my boyfriend and our relationship with our daughter. The fact is our life is no different then the lives of straight couples that live around us, with us, and the fact that life can be really good and full and happy when you are gay.”

Gil began his career as a restaurant critic, became an editor in Israel's leading newspaper, and was involved in the creation of some of Israel's most popular television cooking and food shows. These shows include the classic "Pepper, Garlic and Olive Oil", "Captain Cook" and "Going to the Market". The series were later turned into best-selling cookbooks. Currently Hovav is busy with his publishing and production company Toad Communications and lecturing worldwide. Gil lives with his partner of 24 years whom he met during their army service and together they raise their nine-year-old daughter Naomi.
For More Info: outinisrael.org 






Sunday, November 11, 2012

Gay Activist Rev. Irene Monroe Speaks OUT











In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with syndicated religion columnist Reverend Irene Monroe whose columns appear in 43 cities across the country and in the U.K. Monroe states that her columns are an interdisciplinary approach drawing on critical race theory, African American, gay and religious studies. As a religion columnist she tries to inform the public of the role religion plays in discrimination against LGBT people. Since homophobia is consistently acted upon “in the name of religion,” she aims to highlight how religious intolerance and fundamentalism not only shatters the goal of American democracy but also aids in perpetuating other forms of oppression such as racism, sexism, classism and anti-Semitism. We talked to her about this and how Obama’s second term will effect the future of our LGBT civil rights.

When asked what her personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights, Monroe stated, “My commitment to the LGBT community begins with me. It’s sort of like how do I with my multiple identities, you know Afro American, lesbian, religious on a good day, how do I live those intersections with integrity? One of the things I found out getting involved with various organizations at the beginning, and they have changed enormously I must say from where they started and where I’ve started with them, they look at these issues in a much more integrated way which is one of the reasons GLAD gave me the Spirit of Justice Award and to shed light on the many intersections of oppression and how do we do that with not only integrity but bring a lot more people in our struggle, which we would be much better off doing. So I felt with GLAD for instance bringing how do you reach out to the Afro American community in a way that not only speaks about particular needs, but also speaks to their particular cultural ways of expressing or wanting to be expressed around issues that not only impact them but also impacts the LGBT community. Too often as you know the black community has felt like they’ve been 'pimped', that’s the terminology that they’ve used, by the LGBT community. So it’s been ways of how to make those connections.”

Rev. Monroe is the 2012 recipient of the GLAD (Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders) Spirit of Justice Award. She’s a graduate from Wellesley College and Union Theological Seminary at Columbia University and served as a pastor at an African-American church before coming to Harvard Divinity School for her doctorate as a Ford Fellow. Monroe, a Huffington blogger, was chosen by MSNBC as "10 Black women you should know." Monroe has also been profiled in O, Oprah Magazine and CNNs Paula Zahn Now and "CNN Headline News." She lives with her partner in Cambridge Massachusetts.
For More Info: irenemonroe.com







Monday, October 29, 2012

Lea DeLaria The Last Butch Standing Speaks OUT










In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Lea DeLaria, comedian, actress and jazz musician about her new show THE LAST BUTCH STANDING, her comedic look at what it is like to be a bad-ass dyke daddy in the post Ellen 21st century. THE LAST BUTCH STANDING was presented at the OBERON, the American Repertory Theater’s second stage and club theater venue in Cambridge, Massachusetts on November 5th. It was one of the most fabulous shows we've seen in a while! Lea DeLaria was the first openly gay comic to perform on American television with her 1993 appearance on The Arsenio Hall Show. Since then she has had countless concerts, theater roles, movies, stand up specials and four Warner Brothers records. We talked to Lea about THE LAST BUTCH STANDING and her spin on our LGBT issues. 

When asked what her personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights, DeLaria stated, “I have been completely out for thirty years. Everything I’ve done, every step I’ve taken has been to further a positive perception of queers within the world. There was a time in the early 1990’s where they wanted me to wear lipstick. That was the time when the lipstick lesbian thing was all the rage. I did it for about six months and then I went ‘I can’t do this anymore. This is not who I am.’ It’s not who millions and millions of dyke butches are out there and someone has to present that image. Someone has to be that person for those little butches out there to see. That one is going to be me every time.” 

Lea also weighed in on our queer identity in the 21st century, the presidential election, the Log Cabin Republicans, gay marriage, LGBT teen bullying and more. Besides her new live show THE LAST BUTCH STANDING she has recorded a new jazz album HOUSE OF DAVID featuring the songs of David Bowie due out in 2013. Lea is also appearing in the new musical AMANDINE in 2013 and currently is in production in the upcoming television prison series ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK playing BIG BOO. This will be released on Lionsgate TV and Netflicks in the Fall of 2013.
Currently Delaria is touring with THE LAST BUTCH STANDING worldwide which she hopes to make into a TV special.

Monday, October 22, 2012

Gay Filmmaker Ira Sachs Speaks OUT









 In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with filmmaker Ira Sachs about his new film KEEP THE LIGHTS ON. KEEP THE LIGHTS ON premiered at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival and received the Teddy Award for Best Queer Film at the 2012 Berlin Film Festival. It’s currently playing theaters throughout North America. The film chronicles an emotionally and sexually charged journey of two men in New York City through love, friendship, and addiction. Documentary filmmaker Erik (Thure Lindhardt) and closeted lawyer Paul (Zachary Booth, Damages) meet through a casual encounter but soon find a deeper connection and become a couple. Fueled by drugs and sex their decade-long relationship is defined by highs, lows and dysfunctional patterns as Erik struggles to negotiate his own boundaries and dignity while being true to himself. We talked to Ira about his deeply personal film and issues facing our LGBT community.

When asked what his personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights, Sachs stated, “You know I grew up in the 1960’s in Memphis and my father was a member of the American Civil Liberties Union. I was born three years before Martin Luther King was killed and I think that history of civil action was something that I had in my blood. Throughout college I was very involved as a gay activist. I got involved with Act Up when I moved to New York in 1988. I now work as a community organizer. I run two arts programs; Queer/Art/Film, which is a film series that invites inter-disciplinarian, inter-generational conversations between queer artist and also a mentor program. And for me it’s actually something I do because I believe in it but also something I do because I feel being an activist is so nurturing to my own being. I think for many years when I had my own issues of addition and was focused on things that were small and obsessive I forgot the world and I found that engaging in the world is generative to me, and sustaining. I also feel that I can make some change to be part of history in my own small way.”

Ira Sachs films include Married Life (2007), The Delta (1997) and the 2005 Sundance Grand Jury Prize-winning Forty Shades of Blue. His short film Last Address, honoring a group of NYC artists who died of AIDS, has been added to the permanent collections of the Whitney Museum of American Art and MoMA. Sachs teaches in the Graduate Film department at NYU. Sachs lives in New York City with his husband Boris Torres.
For More Info: keepthelightsonfilm.com 
 
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Monday, October 15, 2012

The Real L Word Hunter Valentine Speaks OUT










In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with lesbian rock band HUNTER VALENTINE who’s currently on tour. Coming off starring in Season 3 of Showtime's hit reality series The Real L Word into the release of their third studio album titled COLLIDE & CONQUER out October 23rd on Megaforce/Sony, no one can deny the momentum behind rockers HUNTER VALENTINE. It all began when lead singer/guitarist Kiyomi McCloskey met drummer Laura Petracca in a dark dirty bar in their hometown of Toronto and forged an unbreakable bond. Now eight years later with two studio albums under their belt, the band has grown into a veritable powerhouse that tours over 200 dates a year worldwide with bassist Veronica "Vero" Sanchez and newest member lead guitarist Aimee Bessada. We talked to the band literally on the road as they headed east from Chicago about The Real L Word, the new album and their spin on our LGBT issues.

When asked what their personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights HUNTER VALENTINE stated, “As a band, as a public figure, you’re constantly in the spotlight and we have a lot of young people that approach us and ask questions about their sexuality and our contribution is to be a role model within the LGBT community. So you know, whether we’re on stage playing a pride festival or we’re answering an email about a kid who’s getting bullied at school for being gay, that’s kind of how we contribute. Or having a fifty year old woman confused because she’s finding out that she’s a lesbian and has children and is married and doesn’t know what to do. Like we get all kinds of different sort of people, fans, friends that approach us and we feel that our part is trying to be there and answer as many questions possible because we want to try and help anybody in any situation. And the more people feel like they have that positive equal space it’s going to show the rest of the world that everyone deserves to have equal rights and that queer people are just the same as everyone else.”

HUNTER VALENTINE COLLIDE & CONQUER TOUR is currently playing North America through November. Then they’re headed to Japan and Europe. Their new Megaforce/Sony Album COLLIDE & CONQUER will be available on October 23rd.
For Tour Dates & Info: huntervalentine.com 

Monday, October 8, 2012

InterPride 2012 Gay Activists Speak OUT










In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Anna Dubrowski and Sylvain Bruni, Co-Chairs of InterPride 2012 which celebrated its thirtieth anniversary in Boston, Massachusetts October 3rd through October 7th. InterPride is the International Association of Pride Organizers and Organizations from around the world. InterPride was created in Boston in 1982 after Pride organizers from Boston, New York, San Francisco, Chicago, San Diego and Los Angeles convened to form the National Association of Lesbian and Gay Pride coordinators. InterPride was established to promote Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride on an international level to increase networking and communication among Pride Organizations and to encourage diverse communities to hold and attend Pride events as an educational source. InterPride accomplishes its mission with regional conferences and an Annual World Conference (AWC). At the annual conference InterPride members network, attend events and collaborate on an international scale. We talked to Anna and Sylvain about this year’s InterPride Conference and issues facing our LGBT community.

When asked what their personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights Bruni stated, “I think my commitment is really about not necessarily giving back but really contributing to the level that I can. I think a lot of people are involved in InterPride or in a pride organization because they have some time or some money; they have some dedication; they have some energy they’re willing to give to make their community a better more accepting community overall, whether it is within the LGBT community or outside of it. I think from the point of view of Boston it is really good for us; things have moved forward really tremendously in the past years. So now it is also time for us to turn outwards and see what we can do to help other people. This is really where I find my energy and my inspiration being part of this, looking at how much we have done here. We’ve learned a lot, we’ve been able to amass that knowledge and make things move forward and now it’s what we can do to support others around the world.”

InterPride strives to create a world where there is full cultural, social and legal equality for all. InterPride hopes to raise awareness of cultural and social inequality through its network of Pride organizations and to effect positive change through education, collaboration, advocacy and outreach. InterPride 2012 Conference was hosted by Boston Pride.
For More Info: interpride2012.org






Monday, October 1, 2012

Gay Icon Bobby Wetherbee 50th Anniversary










  In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with piano bar icon Bobby Wetherbee who is celebrating fifty years of entertaining audiences in Provincetown, Massachusetts. His talents have led him to perform at some top venues including The St. Regis’ King Cole Room, the Oak Bar at the Copley Plaza in Boston, New York’s Top of the Sixes, The Colony on Madison Avenue and The Carlyle; but it’s Provincetown on the tip of Cape Cod that has played an enormous part in the growth of Bobby’s career. Patrons from all over the world find their way to his piano bar. Bobby confesses that the show can change from very sophisticated to just plain sophisticated fun with lots of audience participation which he loves. He says he enjoys the diversity of the crowd and hearing from a gifted singer or two. We talked to Bobby about the longevity of his career and his spin on our LGBT issues.

 When asked what his reaction is to the Democratic National Platform finally coming out in support of marriage equality and a trans-inclusive ENDA (Employment Nondiscrimination Act) Wetherbee stated, “That was major but I also feel that because I do remember Stonewall and the thing is it was just a matter of time. I’m so thrilled that within my lifetime I’ve seen this happen. As a kid and as an early gay man everything was hidden. I was arrested three times for just coming out of a gay bar. I personally feel that along with the militants, the women, the gay women, keep it in the forefront and I think that is amazing.”

Bobby Wetherbee has had his years of ups and downs always battling his demons at the keyboard, finding a life of free expression in gay-friendly Provincetown where the crowds fill his shows nightly and treat him like a cultural icon in his renaissance years. Wetherbee now calls the Crown and Anchor lounge home and the entertainer carries the Key to the Town around with pride saying it was an honor to be called a 50-year destination. Wetherbee will be performing at The Crown And Anchor through October.