In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Marlee Walchuk about the third annual RightOutTV Music and Video Awards for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex artists. The 2013 RightOutTV Music and Video Awards team is accepting submissions worldwide for songs and videos to be evaluated by a prestigious panel of 37 entertainment industry judges. Openly queer singer/songwriters from around the globe may submit songs and music videos in a variety of Indie-friendly categories. New this year for the competition include a “Best Non-English Video” category in an effort to expand the global reach and “The Best Comedy Video” category is open to Drag Artists. Also added are submissions for episodes of web series from LGBT writers and creators as well as LIVE and produced music videos. We talked to Marlee about the evolving RightOutTV Music and Video Awards as well as her spin on our LGBT issues.
When asked what her personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights Walchuk stated, “Well we start with being as open as possible, and I say ‘we’ as meaning my wife and I, about our sexuality always and everywhere, no matter how uncomfortable it makes us or other people. Sometimes as simple as introducing each other as my wife has a profound effect on people becoming use to us being around and accepting us. A good deal of our song lyrics deal with LGBT issues and we never hide the fact that we’re singing woman to woman. And because we enjoy a full range of LGBT rights in Canada we do tend to focus on how we can help other countries. We are really incredibly concerned with how the LGBT people in Russia are being persecuted right now. It’s shocking that this can happen in this time of history with no one of real power stepping in to help. We went to a ‘Love Russia, Hate Homophobia’ rally in downtown Vancouver and it was so moving to hear a letter written by an LGBT brother in Russia. I mean we just have no idea sitting in our safe communities what these people are going through. We were encouraged to email our officials about how we feel they need to step-up and take a stand and for Natalie and me that’s something that we’re currently doing. We’re just trying to get our opinion heard by as many people as possible that can actually do something about this.”
Canadian Marlee Walchuk and Aussie Tully Callender launched the RightOutTV Music and Video Awards in 2011. Walchuk and Callender of the music duo Sugarbeach launched the awards after realizing that in their own music career winning awards and nominations helped their profile more than any venue they’ve played or anyone they’ve played with. The submission fee is $15 and the deadline for submissions is Sept 24, 2013. Nominees will be announced Oct 10, 2013 and the popular “Fan Fave” voting, the only public voted award, begins Sept 30, 2013.
For Info & Submissions: rightouttvawards.com
No comments:
Post a Comment