Grammy Winner Janis Ian Speaks Out & Goes Viral

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with two-time Grammy winning singer songwriter Janis Ian about her Facebook posting that went viral with over 12 million views, 50K comments and over 93K shares addressing the Trump Administration. Legendary singer, writer and feminist icon Ian was only 14 when she wrote "Society's Child" observing the racial bigotry and atrocities during the 1960’s. Her civil rights stand brought her controversy and even death threats, however the importance of the song was recognized when it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Janis remains society's child, although an older and wiser one with her commentary on current American history and our new president's positions. We talked to Janis about what inspired her to write this must-read post (see link below) and her spin on our LGBT civil rights.

When asked how she sees our LGBTQ community moving forward in a Trump administration Ian stated, “Well, I think the question for anyone in the LGBT community is can we move forward in this administration? This is an administration that is on record saying that we are crazy, that we’re mentally disturbed, that we need therapy to become ‘normal’. This is an administration that seeks to normalize hatred and bigotry and ignorance. My gosh if they’re normalizing anything it’s ignorance. They have the arrogance of their ignorance. So I don’t know that we can move forward. I hope we can but I think we’ll be doing very well if we can just manage to maintain at this point and I would say that goes across the board, not just for gay people but for the disabled, for anyone that dissents on either side and for anyone that is not white male and wealthy. I think the coalminers are going to get hit too. You know we’re not alone in this, it’s just that a lot of people don’t realize it yet.”

Janis Ian won her first Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1976 for “At Seventeen” and her second Grammy Award in 2013 at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony for Best Spoken Word Album for her audio book "Society's Child”. She had stiff competition in 2013 including President Bill Clinton, First Lady Michelle Obama, Rachel Maddow and Ellen DeGeneres. When she won she sincerely considered it to be a “stunning upset.” With her inimitable sense of humor, she went on to say "There must be a joke in here somewhere. An ex-president, a First Lady and three lesbians go into a bar..." In addition to the Grammy the audio version also received an Audie Award, the audio book industry’s version of the Grammys. As a multitalented artist Janis has been expressing her life experience through her music, songs and her literary projects. Ian’s songs have been recorded by singers as diverse as Cher, John Mellencamp, Celine Dion, Nana Mouskouri, Charlie Daniels and Roberta Flack and she has performed with Tom Paxton, Lou Gossett Jr., Judy Collins, Phil Ochs and a host of other singer-songwriters. Read Viral Facebook Post...
For More Info: janisian.com

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Loni Anderson Returns In New Sitcom “My Sister Is So Gay”

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with actress and fierce LGBTQ ally Loni Anderson about her new sitcom “My Sister Is So Gay” that premiered January 22nd on tello films. Anderson stars as Frances the boozy and inappropriately sexy mother of two middle age children in this new LGBT themed series. “My Sister Is So Gay” also stars Terry Ray as Frances’ gay son Seth who is invaded by his uptight, homophobic sister, Amanda played by Wendy Michaels after she catches her husband with her best friend Katherine. It just seems she’s way more upset about Katherine cheating on her than her husband and it’s not adding up for Seth especially when Amanda acts all loopy around his lesbian co-worker Becca played by Debra Wilson. The series focuses on whether Seth’s right-winger, homophobic sister is gay as Amanda tries to figure out why Seth’s way younger and very handsome boyfriend played by Tilky Jones is interested in Seth and questions why he seems to have too many secrets or perhaps he’s married. Season one of "My Sister Is So Gay” is a laugh out loud web series featuring six episodes written and created by Terry Ray and Wendy Michaels. We talked to Loni about what attracted her to “My Sister Is So Gay” and her spin on our LGBT issues.

When asked how she sees our LGBTQ community moving forward in a Trump administration Anderson stated, “Needless to say I’ve had my hysterical moments over the election and I have a granddaughter who’s a junior at UCLA and we have had many spirited discussions about our feelings. I think after you get over being hysterical, but I don’t know if you do, that you try and move forward the best you can and hope that we do not slip backwards. I was a 60’s girl; I went to high school and college in the 60’s. So I marched and I always said my political party is I’m a card-carrying member of the civil rights party. So I didn’t think as a grandmother I would be facing this. Somehow when I was a college student I didn’t think this would come up when I got to be a grandmother. I naively I guess thought it would be all taken care of but as I said to my granddaughter, if need be I’m still ready to march.”

Loni Anderson will always be remembered for her iconic role as Jennifer Marlowe from the hit sitcom “WKRP in Cincinnati”. Anderson became a sex symbol almost overnight and a pinup photo of the actress in a bikini was one of the best-selling posters of the 1970s. Yet far from a dumb blonde, Anderson insisted that she be able to play her character as a bright, sensitive woman before signing for the part. Her vision paid off and Anderson earned two Emmy nominations and three Golden Globe nominations for her performance. Loni was a regular in 5 more series and has guest starred in numerous other shows and TV movies like the title role in “The Jayne Mansfield Story” opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger. Her films include “A Night At The Roxy” and “Stroker Ace” with Burt Reynolds. Her high profile marriage to Reynolds made them the Brad & Angelina of the 1980s. In 1997 she published her autobiography “My Life in High Heels”. She is now happily married to Bob Flick from the folk music group The Brothers Four. 
For More Info: tellofilms.com
 
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“Be The Change” A Family Affair Against Hate (AUDIO)

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Joerg Kohring, Jess Niven-Kohring and Barbara Niven about their extremely relevant “Be The Change” music video and social media campaign that premieres globally January 16th on Martin Luther King Day. “Be The Change” was written by Joerg Kohring and Jess Niven-Kohring and recorded by pop rock band Orbit Monkey. Joerg and Jess are acclaimed singer-songwriters, parents of two children living in Los Angeles, California and have created an inspiring music video to give hope and motivation to millions of Americans who are drowning in fear of the unknown since the election. The video itself is confronting. Images of gun violence and hate crimes fold into the visuals of innocent children as they watch TV. Viewers witness the parallel between segregation in the 50s and violence and intolerance in this country today. The video also focuses on the continuing struggle for our LGBT civil rights intensified by the fear of the unknown in 2017. “Be The Change” is a passionate family project with Jess’s mother, actress and Human Rights advocate Barbara Niven (‘A Perfect Ending’,‘Chesapeake Shores’ & ‘Nesting Doll’), contributing to the video as Co-Editor and Producer. We talked to Joerg, Jess and Barbara about the importance of “Be The Change”, what they hope to accomplish with this significant global campaign and their spin on our LGBT issues.

When asked how they see our LGBTQ community moving forward in a Trump administration Jess Niven-Kohring stated, “This is the thing that we have been talking about. Joerg and I were actually talking about this last night and trying to figure out you know what role we can play in trying to help move this forward. I think because there is so much fear, I think it’s really going to be up to everyone coming together and the allies really speaking out and using the privilege that I didn’t even realize I had for so long and using that to really make our voices heard and allow everyone else’s voices to be heard too and really standing up as a society. It’s not one community verses another; we are all part of the same community and the same beautiful cultures and it’s us moving forward together. So I think it’s really going to be up to everyone to recognize the privilege they have and really use it to give voices to those that may not have a voice under the incoming administration.”

The “Be The Change” video campaign will have its world premiere on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day January 16th to honor King and all the other American heroes who have fought for equal rights. Audio from his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech has been incorporated into the video to help spread his message to a new generation. Martin Luther King, Jr. also said, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” His words ring true now more than ever. To get involved starting on January 16th you can post, share & tweet this video on social media using #BeTheChange. Send it to your friends, family, news sources and influencers. Get involved and hold your politicians accountable or run for office yourself. Be aware, be a safe place, stand up to bullies, speak up for equality, climate change, listen and learn from each other and teach your children to be kind. Most importantly, never give up.
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“Deep Run” Transgender Documentary On World Channel

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Chris Hastings, Executive Producer of the World Channel and Hillevi Loven, Director of the documentary DEEP RUN that premieres on the second season of REEL SOUTH January 15th on the World Channel. DEEP RUN chronicles an eight-year portrait of LGBTQ teen 17 year-old Jasmine who is exiled by family, rejected by an ex and then finds a new love and the courage to become Cole, a strong-willed transgender man in rural North Carolina. Loven captures Cole’s intimate transition process with candid humor and sensitivity as he deals with emotional dilemmas brought on by his Christian beliefs and the bigotry he experiences on a daily basis. Executive produced by Susan Sarandon, DEEP RUN is a must-see documentary and a true love story in these turbulent times. We talked to Chris about the importance of telling this story on the World Channel and Hillevi’s inspiration and commitment to DEEP RUN as well as their spin on our LGBTQ issues.

When asked as allies what their personal commitments to LGBT civil rights is Hastings stated, “My commitment is I want always to remind people that when we think about civil rights it’s not about white and black anymore. Diversity is such a broad idea and this idea of being inclusive is what we need to remind people that we need to be inclusive and that also means LGBT and so we have to continue to remind people that just as we fight for civil rights in the sixties and fight for civil rights in 2016 we have to make the LGBT community a part of that equation. When you look at some of the different stories that have come out of the past week we have to remind people that inclusion isn’t just about race anymore, it isn’t about gender, specifically women. It’s about how people are living today and for me it’s important to continue to tell those stories to remind people these are our equals, these are part of the broader community. They are the broader community and these are important stories we have to keep putting out there until people understand that they are just like you or I, they are me or you and they are our brothers and sisters and they have to be part of the greater good of sharing story.” Loven added, “I would say on a more personal note I as a straight, white girl growing up in Chelsea in the West Village born and bred New Yorker, Chelsea in the West Village were my, those are my homes and I always felt like I was part of the LGBT community and an ally and the LGBTQ community also just provided incredible inspiration and support personally for me and then also throughout the years of making and finishing this film. So I have a commitment to stand up for those around me basically.”

 Hillevi Loven is a filmmaker, producer and still photographer based in Brooklyn, New York. She is making her feature-film directing debut with DEEP RUN. As a Sundance Documentary Fellow, she took part in the Sundance labs while completing DEEP RUN. DEEP RUN is the culmination of years of Hillevi’s own social justice work which began with teaching media arts to LGBT youth at the Hetrick Martin Institute in NYC.
For More Info: worldchannel.org

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