Gay Activist Sandro Isaack Speaks OUT

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with children's book author Sandro Isaack about his latest book “Stork, M.I.A.” (missing in action). The book follows the story of Dad and Dad, who were tired of waiting for the Stork and decided to find her to ask for a baby. They search for the Stork around the world, turning this story into an adventure, rather than a didactic book for children of same-gender couples. Census data shows that 25% of same-gender couples in the U.S. are raising children and in more progressive countries the percentage is even greater. Sandro explains that most of these children are reading from books with "borrowed" universes. In his “Dad Dad Mom Mom” upcoming series of children's books Sandro intends to create a universe for these children - their own universe in which the main characters happen to be same-gender couples and their kids.

When asked what his personal commitment was to LGBT civil rights Isaack stated, “I like to think that my book is my commitment because my book talks about family and I think it is important for people and the (LGBT) community to know and be reminded that there is a possibility of family. It is not just an idea or a dream for the future. It is something happening now. There is even a children’s book market out there now that reminds us how real it is. For so long being gay and out relied on partying and being fabulous which is great. You know it gives us this amazing character and personality that makes us unique. But at the same time this is the new way of having a family. It stops being news or something online, it becomes something in their lives that might be some incentive to educate themselves and communicate. I feel through education and communication that brings a community closer together and gives us the strength we need to achieve what we need to achieve and what we deserve.”

Sandro Isaack is a native of Brazil. He came to the U.S. in 1999 and in 2002 obtained his masters degree in performance from the American Repertory Theatre at Harvard. After graduation, Isaack moved to New York where he pursued his career in acting. However, Isaack’s career came to a halt in early 2008, when his vocal chords and neck became temporarily paralyzed for a period that lasted a year. As everything happens for a reason, his true passion in storytelling was born. “STORK M.I.A.” is his first book in a series of children’s stories he wants to tell. Sandro will be reading from his book during “Family Week” in Provincetown Massachusetts July 31st- August 7th.
For More Info : DadDadMomMom.com
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LGBT Activist Gunner Scott Speaks OUT

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Gunner Scott, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition who has been involved with the transgender rights movement since 1998. He's a nationally recognized activist and was one of the attendees at Obama’s 2010 LGBT Event at the White House.

When asked what President Obama had to say to our LGBT community, Gunner stated, “He talked about the work that still needs to be done. He talked about policy changes that his administration has made, particularly around some of those policy changes around (LGBT) people being able to visit their partners in the hospital if they get Medicaid funding and that’s pretty important. He talked about the experiences of some of the (LGBT) people in the audience and meeting with young people beforehand and what they’re going through and that we need to do this work together. His message was pretty positive and upbeat but also very serious. He said he wants to end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and pass a trans-included Employment Nondiscrimination Act. (ENDA) You know I think he walked into a job that was pretty difficult and there have been a lot of changes that have happened in his administration from the start.”

The Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition called on the leadership of the Massachusetts State legislature to act favorably on H1728/S1687, “An Act Relative to Gender Based Discrimination and Hate Crimes” before the end of the current session on July 31st, 2010. “This bill is for fair and basic treatment of transgender youth and adults,” said Scott. “This bill is about human rights and dignity for those who are contributing to society or trying to, including paying taxes, but are often being denied access, opportunity, and justice.” Over eighty organizational members of the Transgender Civil Rights Coalition, including labor unions, LGBT groups, women’s groups and advocacy groups all called on the legislative body to pass this bill.
UPDATE: The Trans Civil Rights Bill – did not make it to the floor for a vote this session.
For More Info: masstpc.org

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Boston Gay Marriage Lawyers Speak OUT

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Gary Buseck, Legal Director of the Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD ) and one of the architects of Gay Marriage in this country. Recently U.S. District Judge Joseph Tauro, who was appointed to the United States District Court by the Nixon administration, ruled in two separate cases that section 3 a critical portion of the federal Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional. The ruling stems from GLAD’s lawsuit Gill et al v. Office of Personnel Management et al, filed in March 2009. Mary Bonauto, GLAD’s Civil Rights Project Director who argued the case stated, “The Court simply affirmed that our country won’t tolerate second-class marriages. I’m pleased that Judge Tauro recognized that married same-gender couples and surviving spouses have been seriously harmed by DOMA and that the plaintiffs deserve the same opportunities to care and provide for each other and for their children that other families enjoy. This ruling will make a real difference for countless families in Massachusetts.”

The next step in the case is for the federal government to decide whether it will appeal Judge Tauro’s ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. That decision should come within the next 60 days. When asked if he thought this case will reach the federal Supreme Court Buseck stated, "That’s really hard to tell. The first thing we have to do is go through the Unites States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. If we win at that court and it will be a big challenge there as it is in any court of appeals involving the constitutionality of a federal statute. If we win at the Unites States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, most people tell us the United States Supreme Court would hear the case. It is the kind of case the court has been paying attention to in recent years, so we think that’s likely, but if we lose in the Unites States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, perhaps a review by the U.S. Supreme Court becomes somewhat less likely.”

Join Gary Buseck at GLAD's 28th Annual Summer Party to be held July 31st outside in the heart of Provincetown on the grounds of Pilgrim Monument. This is a fabulous fundraising event. Enjoy the view of the harbor, mingle with other GLAD supporters and learn more about their ground-breaking cases. Comedian Kate Clinton will be returning as auctioneer extraordinaire! You don't want to miss this exciting auction - travel packages, unique experiences, massages, theatre and much more. There’s something for everyone and all in support of a great org. See you there!
For More Info: glad.org

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Gay Activist Mark Elderkin Speaks OUT

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Mark Elderkin, CEO at Gay Ad Network. Elderkin is a dot com visionary and entrepreneur. He co-founded gay.com in 1994, served as President and CEO of PlanetOut Inc., retired in 2006 and then founded Gay Ad Network in 2007. The Gay Ad Network and Lesbian Ad Network together form the leading gay media network, reaching over 6 million unique users per month across 290 popular LGBT web sites, blogs and social networks. It is ranked as the largest U.S. gay media property. Gay Ad Network provides online, mobile and video advertising services to global and national brands targeting the gay and lesbian market.

Our LGBT community has an annual buying power of 712 billion dollars a year and will hit a trillion dollars annually by 2012 according to Witeck-Combs Communications, Inc. When asked whether mainstream advertisers are taking advantage of this ‘final frontier’ in marketing to our LGBT community Elderkin stated, “We’re seeing more and more first time advertisers come into the market. They typically try and get their house in order first to make sure they have nondiscrimination policies in place and that they are supporting an LGBT employees group. Then they work with us or another gay agency to make sure they’re marketing correctly with the right messaging. So it tends to be a small task that expands as they get more comfortable with it and they see the success generated from the program. We’re seeing continued growth in the market, more and more as advertisers are coming in.”

Elderkin holds a BS degree in Systems Engineering from Boston University and MBA from UC Berkeley Haas School. He has served on the boards of Online Partners, GLAAD and Stellar Networks. Mark lives in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida with his partner Jeff and daughter Chloe.
For More Info: GayAdNetwork.com

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NOH8 Gay Activists Speak OUT

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Jeff Parshley and his partner celebrity photographer Adam Bouska about their grassroots org the “NOH8 Campaign.” After attending a rally in West Hollywood protesting the passage of Proposition 8 back in November 2008 which banned marriage equality, the couple went back to their apartment and took the first NOH8 photo. Bouska had Parshley pose in front of a white background with the words “NOH8″ written on his cheek and duct tape on his mouth, symbolizing Prop 8 and similar legislation’s attempt to silence the voices of our LGBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender) community. Since then it has expanded into a global grassroots campaign. Over 4,500 NOH8 photos have been taken featuring members of the LGBT community, allies, families and celebrities. The notable celebrity photos are of Cindy McCain and “Glee’s” Jane Lynch.

When asked what their personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights Adam stated, “Before all this happened I never considered myself as much of an activist. Until Prop 8 I never thought something would hit me so personally. We just felt that we had to take it one step further. So I think at this point seeing all these different faces coming in with all these different stories, I think it’s almost our responsibility to the community to portray these stories in a respectable light and get these stories out there and make sure these voices are heard. This commitment to full equality is something that seems so natural and something so expected at this point. We just try to do as much as we can with our own abilities and we always encourage people to do what they can do.”

This summer Jeff Parshley and Adam Bouska are taking their "NOH8 Campaign" on the road photographing our LGBT community and their allies across America. This is a great opportunity to participate in this historic and effective movement.
For More Info: NOH8Campaign.com

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