Kate Clinton 2011 LGBT Review & More

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Kate Clinton, our favorite gay political humorist. As we head into the New Year it’s time to reflect on 2011 and chat about what 2012 will bring our LGBT community. This has been an amazing year for our LGBT community starting with the repeal and then the certification of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”. Last summer gay marriage finally passed in New York and the Respect of Marriage Act was introduced in the US Senate taking us a step closer to repealing the Defense of Marriage Act. The year ended on a fabulous note with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s speech to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland stating “Some have suggested that gay rights and human rights are separate and distinct but in fact they are one and the same. Like being a woman, like being a racial, religious, tribal, or ethnic minority, being LGBT does not make you less human. And that is why gay rights are human rights, and human rights are gay rights."

When asked how she felt about gay marriage passing in her state Clinton stated, “Well I am a Cuomo-sexual. It was pretty exciting that our Governor was able to ride herd on some really wrangling gay organizations that had not been united in their effort to get gay marriage or marriage equality in the state. And he really did that and he was able to get some big money interest in to do the fight and also to promise senators who had voted for gay marriage that we would be behind them when they ran for reelection and that’s really happening now. So I find it really exciting and since I do live in New York, I’m a New York resident, I feel a lot of pressure now. My girl and I have been together almost twenty four years and our little six year old neighbor from across the hall in New York is like on our case to get married. It’s a lot of pressure.”

We also addressed Obama and LGBT advancements, the anti-gay GOP presidential candidates, LGBTQ teen bullying crisis and more. Clinton also gave us a little preview of her new ALL FRACKED UP Tour for 2012. Kate's hyperbolic fracking method shakes the bedrock of the comedy mother lode with seismic aftershocks of laughter. She vents about global weirding. Tosses an occu-pie in the face of banksters; Glitter-bombs presidential politics; Spelunks some LGBT schist. Mud will be flung. Warning: dikes could be in danger of collapse. It's a blast! She's a gas! And after, Kate always cleans up her own fracking mess.
For Tour Info & Product: kateclinton.com

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PARIAH Director Dee Rees & Adepero Oduye

OUTTAKE VOICES™ IS NOW ON HUFFINGTON POST...:)
In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Director Dee Rees and Star, Adepero Oduye about their new must-see film PARIAH. We chatted with Rees and Oduye at a special screening of the film presented by Focus Features and the Boston LGBT Film Festival at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston, Massachusetts. Pariah is the feature-length expansion of writer/director Dee Rees' award-winning 2007 short film Pariah. Spike Lee is among the feature's executive producers.

Adepero Oduye, who had earlier starred in the short film, portrays Alike (pronounced ah-lee-kay), a 17-year-old African-American woman who lives with her parents Audrey and Arthur (Kim Wayans and Charles Parnell) and younger sister Sharonda (Sahra Mellesse) in Brooklyn's Fort Greene neighborhood. She has a flair for poetry and is a gifted student at her local high school. Alike is quietly but firmly embracing her identity as a lesbian. With the sometimes boisterous support of her best friend, out lesbian Laura (Pernell Walker), Alike is especially eager to find a girlfriend. At home, her parents' marriage is strained and there is further tension in the household whenever Alike's development becomes a topic of discussion. Pressed by her mother into making the acquaintance of a colleague's daughter, Bina (Aasha Davis), Alike finds Bina to be unexpectedly refreshing to socialize with. Wondering how much she can confide in her family, Alike strives to get through adolescence with grace, humor, and tenacity - sometimes succeeding, sometimes not, but always moving forward.

When asked about dealing with homophobia among the Afro-American community, Dees stated, “I wasn’t trying to make any general statements about homophobia in the Afro-American community because it’s such a varied experience. I think there’s still homophobia across all communities. But in this particular story I actually want to show how people reacted to it differently. Alike’s mother and father have different reactions versus Bina, the love interest and even the fast girls at school. I wanted to show how there’s not a single response to it within the community and that’s what complicates Alike’s journey as she tries to find herself. And I just wanted to show, if people take away one thing, I want them to know that it’s OK not to check a box; it’s OK to be yourself because Alike’s struggle is as much within the gay community as it is in the straight community. She’s being told to dress a certain way, act a certain way or a certain persona and she realizes that that is not so.”

PARIAH opens in select cities on December 28th.
For More Info: pariahthemovie.com

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Barney Frank, Mitt Romney & Gay Rights

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Arline Isaacson, Co-Chair of the Massachusetts Gay & Lesbian Political Caucus who was instrumental in the passing of gay marriage in Massachusetts. Isaacson shares her thoughts about Barney Frank announcing his retirement in 2012, Mitt Romney claiming he’s for gay rights, and other issues concerning our LGBT community.

Congressman Barney Frank joins 14 Democratic US Reps who are not seeking re-election in 2012. When asked what her reaction was to Frank’s decision to retire, Isaacson stated, “Well it’s obviously a mega loss for our LGBT community and clearly a mega loss for the progressive community. Barney was, is, one of the brightest, sharpest, most hardworking, insightful, politically savvy, knowledgeable congressman that we have or could have. In spite of his reputation as being persnickety when dealing with people he managed in the congressional world to move about very successfully because he was very politic more often than not. He delivered significantly for the LGBT community and the progressive community for the last three decades as a brilliant advocate and it’s a real loss for us as progressives having someone who so articulately framed the debate for LGBT equality. And just as importantly, argumentally more important, knew how to maneuver in the halls of Congress and the White House to maximize what we could get out of the battles our community was engaged in.”

Recently Mitt Romney told the Nashua Telegraph, “I favor gay rights. I don’t believe in discriminating in employment or opportunity for gay individuals.” Though Romney still opposes gay marriage we asked Arline what her spin was about this. Isaacson stated, “Romney is of course known for having his feet planted firmly on both sides of many key issues. LGBT rights is but one of those issues. Having been accused of flip flopping many times on important issues, Romney has finally learned that his positions and quotes frequently come back to haunt him when he tries to appeal to an audience with different views. So he now speaks equivocally. If he has been 'accused' of supporting the LGBT community, he might as while pretend he does.”

We also talked about the lawsuits to repeal DOMA (The Defense of Marriage Act), Obama’s performance on LGBT civil rights, the LGBTQ teen bullying epidemic and the legislation Isaacson hopes to pass in Massachusetts addressing this crucial issue.
Check OUT Archive Interview w/ Arline & How She Kept Gay Marriage Off The Ballot…:)
For More Info: mglpc.org

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Gay Icon Carole Pope Rocks On LANDFALL

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Canadian Rock Icon Carole Pope about her new epic, edgy and timely album LANDFALL. The title track features a duet with Rufus Wainwright. When asked how that came together Pope stated, “I’ve known Rufus for a few years and I’ve always wanted to sing with him. I asked him and his manager called and said that Rufus has an hour on a certain day so we had the song ready so we totally got it together. So we went into the studio and banged it out in an hour. It was pretty amazing. He was great to work with.”

With three Juno Awards, (Canadian Grammy), a Genie Award, (Canadian Oscar) and four Gold, one Platinum and one double Platinum records to her credit, Carole Pope is an icon of transgressive music. Throughout her career, Carole Pope has blazed a trail sharing her thoughts on sexuality, AIDS and sexual politics. Her music makes you think and dance at the same time.

When asked when she thought America would catch up to Canada on LGBT Civil Rights Pope stated. “I think America is catching up. I think it’s a matter of educating the public and I think the public is not so concerned as it was because there are so many other issues like unemployment and the big banks and all of that. So I think slowly but surely America will catch up with Canada. American was once a cutting edge nation and now it’s behind everyone in a lot of ways. Get More European. Get More Canadian. I think a lot of kids today don’t really care. I think it’s older white dudes who kind of use LGBT issues as a political thing.”

Pope is the author of a best selling autobiography entitled Anti Diva published by Random House. A film based on the book is slated to go into production in 2012. Carole’s infamous band “Rough Trade” was inducted into the Indy Hall of Fame during Canadian Music Week. You can catch Carole Pope Live Thursday, December 1st at 9P at This Ain’t Hollywood in Hamilton, Ontario Canada and Saturday, December 3rd at 9P at Out Lounge & Eatery 540 King Street West Oshawa, Ontario Canada.
Check OUT our 2008 archive interview with Carole about her relationship with the legendary Dusty Springfield and other celebrities…
For LANDFALL & More Info: carolepope.com
For More Info: carolepope.com

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Gay Activist Gregory Lewis Speaks OUT

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Gregory Lewis, Executive Director of Cyndi Lauper’s TRUE COLORS FUND. The mission of this non-profit organization co-founded by music icon and fierce gay ally Cyndi Lauper is to assist gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth who have been thrown out of their homes by their parents or primary custodians because of their sexual orientation. Recently the West End Intergenerational Residence which Cyndi is co-founder of opened the TRUE COLORS RESIDENCE in Harlem, New York for a diverse group of LGBTQ homeless youth. The residence has 30 studio apartments with indoor and outdoor communal space. Each resident pays affordable rent based on their income and receives job assistance if they do not have one. There are also social and educational programs provided. The goal of the TRUE COLORS RESIDENCE is to open similar facilities nationwide.

When asked how he became involved in the TRUE COLORS FUND, Lewis stated, “Well I’ve known Cyndi and her manager Lisa Barbaris for a number of years. I use to work at the Human Rights Campaign for many years and was the Managing Director for the Matthew Shepard Foundation. So I knew them from both of those organizations and I was very friendly with them and helped them with their advocacy work. And when they were ready to take the TRUE COLORS TOUR to the next level they asked me to come and work with them. It was a great honor and of course I said yes immediately and I have been with them for 4 years now.”

It is estimated that 20 percent to 40 percent of all homeless youth identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. The TRUE COLORS FUND is committed to doing what it can to raise awareness about this issue and develop resources to help these young people, most of whom are homeless because of their sexual orientation. On December 4th at New York City’s historic Beacon Theatre help raise awareness about LGBTQ youth homelessness by attending CYNDI LAUPER & FRIENDS: HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS A CONCERT TO BENEFIT HOMELESS LGBT YOUTH. It’s a star-studded benefit concert to help raise awareness about this crucial LGBTQ issue. The evening will feature music from Cyndi Lauper as well as special appearances by Norah Jones, Amy Lee, Cassandra Wilson, Rosie O'Donnell, Wanda Sykes, Jon Secada, Carson Kressley, Chely Wright, Skylar Grey, Vanessa Carlton, Angelique Kidjo, Harvey Fierstein, Deluka, Debbie Harry, Alan Cumming, Randy Fenoli and Clay Aiken. If you can’t make the concert this is an organization that will appreciate your support to help ensure the future of our LGBT community. UPDATE: Cyndi Lauper's LGBT XMAS Event Rocked
For More Info: truecolorsfund.org

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CHO DEPENDENT with Margaret Cho

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Actress Comedian Margaret Cho about her new Showtime Comedy Special CHO DEPENDENT that will be available on DVD November 22nd. Beginning with her early days on the scene in the Bay Area Margaret Cho has always been the Agent Provocateur of stand up. Never one to shy away from difficult, or even 'taboo' topics, there is no subject off limits. Her socially aware brand of comedy has made her a fierce gay activist that opens hearts and minds. Her latest stand-up concert film, CHO DEPENDENT recorded during her 2010 tour, finds Margaret in her usual top form, riffing on smart topics that matter. We talked about her amazing year with her album and concert tour for CHO DEPENDENT, DWTS, co-starring in the Lifetime TV series DROP DEAD DIVA, her commitment to LGBT civil rights and more.

In the Huffington Post Margaret wrote that she identifies herself as “Queer.” When asked if she could clarify what that term means to her, Cho stated, “To me queer is really a balance of everything. To me it encompasses homosexual and also heterosexual. To me that’s like the equality that I have within me and the equanimity I have within me. And then there are my politics that are really all about gay rights and so to me although I am married and I’m in a heterosexual marriage, I also identify as homosexual. To me that is what queer is. There are a lot of different definitions of queer but to me my queer politics come from a pretty impressive pedigree. I grew up in San Francisco. I grew up around the times of Harvey Milk and experienced that wave of politics. I experienced a lot of what became the modern foundation of what gay politics is. The impulse to fight AIDS and the impulse to raise money to make sure that people were protected when it came to policy when it came to AIDS. So that’s really what my background is and that’s what my queer politics are.”

CHO DEPENDENT is Margaret’s sixth live concert film, shot at the Tabernacle in Atlanta, GA. The DVD shares a name with her Grammy nominated comedy album. Joining Margaret on the album were artists Fiona Apple, Andrew Bird, Grant Lee Phillips, Tegan & Sara, Ben Lee and more. The CHO DEPENDENT DVD features songs from the album interwoven into the thought provoking stories. There’s really something for everyone.

CHO DEPENDENT made its debut on Showtime on October 15th and is on Comcast On-Demand. The DVD is set to be released on November 22, 2011 via Rocket Science. The DVD also features “Behind The Scenes” backstage bonus footage.
For More Info: margaretcho.com

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View Our Historic Short Film on Gay Marriage

Rep Barney Frank on LGBT Federal Rights

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Congressman Barney Frank, (D-MA). Congressman Frank was in attendance at Assi Azar’s coming out film MOM & DAD: I HAVE SOMETHING TO TELL YOU in celebration of OUT in ISRAEL MONTH. Throughout the month of November advocacy organizations in and around Boston have joined together along with politicians, filmmakers, artists, musicians, students and other activists to celebrate the vibrant LGBT communities in Israel and Massachusetts. We talked to Congressman Frank to get his spin on the film, LGBTQ teen bullying and federal LGBT civil rights.

When asked if he thought in the next year anymore (federal) legislation has a chance of passing Congressman Frank stated, “None whatsoever with the Republicans in charge. The only chance you ever have to adopt pro LGBT legislation is if you have a Democratic President, House and Senate. I wish that wasn’t the case. In 1976 Jimmy Carter and Gerry Ford were equal on the LGBT issues. Since then the Democrats have gotten a lot better, not quite perfect and the Republicans have gotten a lot worse. So long as you have Republicans in power there simply is no chance. I do believe if we were to get a Democratic House, Senate and President we could move forward with some things but as long as the Republicans are in power we have to hold our own. In fact if you were to get a Republican President we would have to face the very real likelihood I think of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” to be reinstated by that President.”

Openly gay Congressman Barney Frank and Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) are Co-Chairs of the Congressional LGBT Caucus. As part of the “It Gets Better Project,” they recently released a video message of hope and encouragement to our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth and those questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity. They are joined by the other two openly gay members of Congress, Jared Polis (D-CO) and David Cicilline (D-RI).
For More Info: trevorproject.org

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Israeli Gay Activist Assi Azar Speaks OUT

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Assi Azar, well-known Israeli TV personality who co-hosts the Israeli version of the Big Brother TV show with Erez Tal. In 2005 Azar came out as an openly gay man. In 2009 he was chosen by OUT Magazine as one of the top 100 most influential gay people around the world. In 2010 he starred in the 45 minute documentary, “Mom and Dad, I Have Something to Tell You” where he shares his personal coming out experience. This fascinating Israeli documentary explores coming out from the parent’s perspective as well as from members of our LGBT community in Israel. “Mom and Dad, I Have Something to Tell You” was screened on November 6th at the Brattle Theatre in Cambridge by the Boston LGBT Film Festival in celebration of OUT in Israel Month. Congressman Barney Frank was in attendance.

When asked what his inspiration was for making the film, Azar stated, “Actually this production company approached me about making a movie about coming out. At the beginning I said no because I really didn’t see a reason to, but then, I don’t know if you heard of it, but this guy with a mask got inside a youth center where gay and lesbian kids play and shot all over and killed two kids. After that those kids were hospitalized in several hospitals and those parents found out their kids are gay just from the incident. They actually found out their kid was injured and gay at the same time. And I remember that one of the parents did not come to see his kid in the hospital because of his gay lifestyle. And I told my mom, ‘What kind of a parent doesn’t come to see his injured son?’ And she told me you cannot understand what is going on in a parent’s mind after he finds out his son is gay. And that immediately made me feel, God I really don’t know what happened to my mom and dad when I told them. That was the point when I decided to make this film.”

Over the next few weeks Azar will be visiting the United States showing his 45 minute documentary “Mom and Dad, I Have Something to Tell You”. He is pleased to speak about his experience as a popular media broadcaster in the Middle East, as well as what it was like for him to come out openly as a gay man in his field and with media scrutiny upon him and his family.
Assi Azar will be in Atlanta 11/8 to 11/10, NYC 11/11 to 11/13, San Francisco 11/13 to 11/15, Washington DC 11/16 to 11/17,
Philadelphia 11/18 to 11/20 & Miami 11/21 to 11/25.
For More Info: outinIsraelmonth.com

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Sex Expert Addresses BAD SEX on LOGO TV

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with sex specialist, Chris Donaghue about his new television series BAD SEX that premieres on LOGO TV Friday, November 4th at 9:00 PM. BAD SEX follows the real-life experiences of 10 diverse participants undergoing an intensive two month program that explores their sex lives. The participants are male, female, gay and straight, ranging in age from 20 to 40 years old. They’ve come to the group with issues from dangerous promiscuity to clinical frigidity, violent sex addiction to compulsive public sex. Under Donaghue’s supervision they participate in a unique sex therapy group program where they finally address their deep-rooted issues around sex, infidelity, trust, relational intimacy and sex addiction.
When asked if he thinks Americans have a difficult time embracing their sexuality, Donaghue stated, “American have the hardest time. I think we’re probably among the most sexually phobic and sexually negative cultures and it’s something from a very early age is repressed within you. Think about the words that parents use with their children when talking about anatomy, even into their adulthood. It’s words that express embarrassment and social taboo even though it’s a really common healthy basic drive and an important component of all our lives and that moves with you. Then we transmit that to our children and so it’s something we have to get more comfortable with because I think it’s our fear and phobia around it that actually created and sustains a lot of the major sexual issues. When I’m working with couples and I say this again on the show with some of the participants, there’s a lot of incorrect education and misinformation about sex. So my job on the show is to really re-inform and re-educate people and get them comfortable with what the real true basic norms are.”

Christopher Donaghue is a sex expert specializing in the sexuality spectrum and addictive behaviors such as sexual compulsivity/sex addiction, as well as mood and relational intimacy disorders. Donaghue received his Master's Degree in Clinical Social Work from Temple University and is currently finishing a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. He trained in couples and sex therapy at Florida's Post Graduate Sex Therapy training program, UCLA, and the Center for Healthy Sex. Chris currently specializes in couples and sex therapy, as well as running sex addiction, love addiction and sexuality group therapy at The Hills Treatment Center. He is a member of American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT).
For More Info: logotv.com/BADSEX

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Teen Actress Abigail Breslin Speaks OUT

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with actress Abigail Breslin in the conclusion of our five part series of celebrity chats from the Provincetown International Film Festival. Abigail has come a long way since her Oscar nominated role as LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE. In the title role of JANIE JONES, Breslin plays opposite one of our favorite actors, Alessandro Nivola. Based on a true story this moving film was written and directed by David M. Rosenthal. JANIE JONES is about Ethan (Nivola), a struggling musician content with his on-the-road rock-and-roll lifestyle and his much younger girlfriend Iris (Brittany Snow). He has his life turned upside down with the arrival of a former groupie Mary Ann Jones (Elisabeth Shue) who informs him that he has a daughter. Mary Ann is headed for rehab leaving him with the responsibility of raising Janie (Breslin), a shy but talented aspiring musician herself. The two embark on a road trip of music, discovery and father-daughter bonding. We talked to Breslin about working with such a stellar cast, her rock band CABB that she formed with her friend Cassidy Reif and more.

LGBTQ teens are up to four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers. We continue to have numerous teens taking their own lives after facing bullying incidents. Being a teen herself we asked what advise she would have for these kids. Abigail stated, “You know I think that in terms of bullying I don’t think anyone should ever be picked on for anything. You know, just treat everyone the same, I think that is so important. I don’t get why anyone should ever be bullied, you know just treat everyone the same is really important.”

Tribeca Film released JANIE JONES October 28th theatrically and on Comcast On Demand.
Listen to Part One with Kathleen Turner
Listen to Part Two with John Waters
Listen to Part Three with Albert Maysles
Listen to Part Four with Actress Jackie Monahan
For More Info: janiejonesmovie.com

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Gay Activist Sarah Schulman Speaks OUT

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with gay historian, playwright and award-winning writer Sarah Schulman about her most recent must-read novel THE MERE FUTURE. Set in the not-too-distant future in New York City THE MERE FUTURE is about how the city has morphed into an idealized version of itself as the result of what the newly elected mayor calls The Big Change. Rent is cheap, homelessness is over and everyone works in marketing. Schulman invents a literature that reflects the lives we live right now while being funny, sexy and openhearted. With wit and provocative social commentary THE MERE FUTURE blows literary conventions right out of the water in this intriguing novel.

When asked what her personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights, Schulman stated, “Actually I’m not interested in civil rights. I’ve spent my whole life as part of what use to be called the Gay Liberation Movement, which was an idea of transforming a society so that human beings have more freedom of movement and more freedom of expression. I find that the civil rights agenda, first of all it hasn’t succeeded, it also has been very limited. So in arenas in which we are acting exactly like straight people we do get some kind of nods. For example certain states do allow certain kinds of marriage laws but of course there are no federal rights. So when we’re in arenas where we’re very different than them (heterosexuals), in which we would need for example a federal antidiscrimination bill, then we can’t make any progress at all. So in a way the ‘rights’ agenda has channeled us into a very very narrow path and we’ve loss sight of our larger goals.”

In 1987 Schulman joined ACT UP. She and her producing partner of 25 years Jim Hubbard have produced of a feature length documentary UNITED IN ANGER: A History of ACT UP, directed by Hubbard. The documentary uses archival footage and interviews from Hubbard and Schulman's ACT UP Oral History Project to tell the story of the AIDS activist organization and how they used direct action to transform the AIDS crisis. The film will have its world premier at a major film festival (TBA) in Winter 2012. Sarah is also a distinguished Professor of the Humanities at the City University of New York, College of Staten Island and a Fellow at the New York Institute for the Humanities at New York University. She is currently on THE MERE FUTURE book tour appearing Friday Oct 14th at 7:30P at Women and Children First, Chicago. Saturday Oct 22nd at 10A American Studies Association, Baltimore. Thursday Oct 27th at 7P Lincoln Nebraska annual LGBT dinner. Tuesday Nov 8th at 4P Columbia University Oral History Project, Saturday November 12th Viraroche 7P San Francisco, Monday Nov 14th Pegasus Books, Berkeley, Friday Nov 18th 6P MIX Festival 45 Bleecker St. NYC.

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Kids in the Hall Scott Thompson on Bullying

 

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with actor/comedian Scott Thompson who we first fell in love with as one of the first openly gay characters on the hit TV show “Kids in the Hall”. “The Kids in the Hall’ was a Canadian sketch comedy group formed in 1984 consisting of comedians Dave Foley, Kevin McDonald, Bruce McCulloch, Mark McKinney and Scott Thompson. Their television show known for its cross-dressing antics and infinite supply of bold gay characters ran from 1988 to 1994 on CBC in Canada and 1989 to 1995 on CBS and HBO. Scott talks about what it was like being one of the first openly gay characters on network television and today’s epidemic of LGBTQ teen bullying.

LGBTQ teens are up to four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers. We continue to have numerous teens taking their own lives after facing bullying incidents. When asked what advise he would have for these kids, Thompson stated, “I remember when I was a kid absolutely I felt useless and I hated being gay but I totally fought off those feelings of worthlessness and suicide. It definitely was in my mind when I was a kid. What blows my mind is today the kids have it I think so much better and they’re still having a hard time. I think that is quite sad but at the same time, I think about what bullying is. I don’t believe you can have a world free from bullying. I think that is an impossible dream and I think to do that there would be so much social conditioning that you would have to do that I don’t think it’s worth it. I think you just have to, got to, develop a thick skin. The truth is once you get into the real world, it’s not GLEE! It really isn't... Here’s something about the whole bullying campaign. Those boys that are beating up kids and stuff, they don’t care what adults say. What you really need is people like The Rock to say it. Those kids need to hear The Rock and rappers and 50 Cent, they’re the ones that those boys need to hear.”

Scott Thompson is currently touring with Kevin McDonald in “Two Kids One Hall”.

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Malcolm Lazin on LGBT History Month 2011

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Malcolm Lazin, Founder and Executive Director of Equality Forum. For the past 6 years every October Equality Forum coordinates “LGBT History Month” honoring LGBT leaders and icons. Each day in October, an Icon is featured with a video, biography, bibliography, downloadable images and other educational resources. The 2011 honorees are: Kye Allums – Athlete, John Ashbery – Poet, Alison Bechdel – Cartoonist, John Berry – Gov. Official, Dustin Lance Black – Screenwriter, Keith Boykin – Commentator, Rita Mae Brown – Author, Dan Choi – Activist, Aaron Copland – Composer, Alan Cumming – Actor, Rabbi Denise Eger, Lady Gaga – Singer, Michael Guest – Diplomat, Neil Patrick Harris – Actor, Daniel Hernandez Jr. – Hero, Langston Hughes – Author, Frida Kahlo – Artist, David Kato – Ugandan Activist, Michael Kirby – Supreme Court Justice, Victoria Kolakowski – Judge, Dave Kopay – Athlete, Ricky Martin – Singer, Amélie Mauresmo – Athlete, Constance McMillen – Activist, Ryan Murphy – Writer/Director, Dan Savage – Journalist, Amanda Simpson – Government Official, Wanda Sykes – Comedian, Lilli Vincenz – Gay Pioneer, Virginia Woolf – Author and Pedro Zamora – AIDS Activist & MTV Personality.

LGBTQ teens are up to four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers. We continue to have numerous teens taking their own lives after facing bullying incidents. When asked what advise he would have for these kids, Lazin stated, “One of the things that we’re particularly pleased with was that last year there were over one thousand generators to LGBT history Month and the top 1/10 percent or top ten was The Trevor Project. So youth are coming to this site, they’re finding role models, finding empowerment and life affirming resources. What we’re suggesting is particularly GSA’s (Gay Straight Alliances) but more so to college students is “Make It Better.” I certainly applaud “It Gets Better’ but “Make It Better” really says take on the responsibility yourselves. So we’re asking colleges and universities around the country to download resources from LGBT History Month and create an LGBT History Month 2011 exhibit, particularly in a visible place on your campus like a college student union building. Those are the types of things that make change and certainly if anyone looks at this list of 31 icons for this year they’re hugely impressive and make a civil rights statement as to our national and international contributions.”

The videos are offered without charge to educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, for profit companies and the public. 2011 marks the 6th anniversary of LGBT History Month, featuring 186 Icons from 2006 to 2011.
For More Info: lgbthistorymonth.com

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The First LGBT Music Video Awards

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with RightOutTV producer Marlee Walchuk, who with her wife Tully Callender have launched the first music video awards for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Intersex artists on their global 24-hour streaming video channel. LGBTI musicians from around the world have been submitting their videos since word of this fabulous opportunity was announced earlier this month. The deadline for submissions was Friday September 30th and the Awards will be presented on November 27, 2011.

When asked what they’re hoping to accomplish for our LGBT community with the RightOutTV Music Video Awards, Walchuk stated, “First of all more and broader exposure of the artists and the glimpses into LGBT life. I mean every time the artist creates a video about how they love and who they love and what their life looks like, that’s another wonderful view that the world has of us as a community. And music has always been a hugely powerful vehicle for activism. So we feel the music videos are particularly important for the world to actually just take a look and go ‘Hey we’re all the same, we love the same and we must deserve the same rights.’ So we actually see this as a very important layer that we’re putting out into the internet and into the world to help create change.”

Openly LGBTI singer/songwriters from around the globe submitted videos to be voted upon by a prestigious panel of professionals in the Music & Arts industries. Judges’ nominees in each category will be announced October 30th and winners will be announced Nov. 27. There’s also a special category of RightOutTV Fan Fave, voting for this will begin Oct.7 and close on Nov. 7. “We’ve commissioned 22 successful, well respected professionals from press, film, music promotion, publishing and radio, including music producers from both the gay and the straight communities as our judges. Exposure to a panel of judges of this caliber will be immensely beneficial to these talented Out artists” says Producer Marlee Walchuk.
For More Info: rightouttvawards.com

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