In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson, host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with actor producer Kit Williamson about his web series “EastSiders” now airing online on VIACOM/LOGO. “EastSiders” is a dark comedy that explores the aftermath of a gay couple’s infidelity in Silver Lake, California. Williamson plays Cal who discovers that Thom (Van Hansis) has been cheating on him with Jeremy (Matthew McKelligon), which turns their relationship upside down. Cal’s best friend Kathy (Constance Wu) is always there for him to fuel the situation with a bottle of whiskey. We talked to Williamson about “Eastsiders” and his spin on our LGBT issues.
When asked what his personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights, Kit stated, “I’m personally very committed to LGBT civil rights. As a gay person I think that we’re in an amazing time of history where our actions have the possibility to affect change and I didn’t feel that way when I was a kid. I was very pessimistic as a kid growing up in Jackson Mississippi but I’ve seen the world around me change and I’m seeing minds and hearts change, even in Mississippi. I think that things have changed drastically since I was growing up there. I think it starts with being out and open about who you are and vocal about your experiences. You know having faced a lot of intense discrimination in my life I refuse to let fear determine my actions and I think more and more people are living their life that way.” When we then asked for his spin on actors coming out in Hollywood Kit added, “You know I think it’s a personal decision and I am strongly against the witch-hunts that goes on sometimes about people who are in the closet. I think we wouldn’t do that to teenagers so why on earth would we do it to a 20 year-old actor in Hollywood? That said I personally feel a sense of responsibility to be out and open in my career and my life because I know it would have been significant to me as a kid to see more examples of people living their lives that way because I didn’t really know it was a possibility for me.”
In addition to writing, directing and starring in “EastSiders” Williamson is the newest cast member of AMC’s “Mad Men” appearing as copywriter Ed Gifford. He can also be seen in the leading role on the hit comedy web series "Hipsterhood," returning for a second season this summer on Blip.Tv as well as viral videos for Funny or Die and Daywalt Fear Factory. Kit's indie film work includes a supporting role in the Slamdance favorite apocalyptic road trip comedy "Best Friends Forever" from director Brea Grant, slated for distribution by Gravitas.
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As a gay man myself, I fully relate to the early sense of hopelessness, wondering if I'd ever be accepted as a normal human being. Here in New York and in a growing number of places in the USA and in the world, we are finally realizing the enjoyment of our human rights. However, there are many more places in the USA and in the world where there is an increase in violence and hatred against vulnerable and marginalized LGBT people. The anger has increased because of the positive movement elsewhere in the world. As some of us begin to enjoy a full and normal life, we need to work to protect those who are denied their human rights, such as those in Zimbabwe who today heard their 89 year old President Mugabe call Nelson Mandela a coward and condemn the Pope and others for not hating and oppressing gays as much as he (Mugabe) does. In far too many places in this world and in this country, it is still a very frightful life for those that don't belong to the majority sexual orientation or gender identity.
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