In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Stoli LGBTQ ambassador Patrik Gallineaux and artist Lisa Marie Thalhammer about Stoli Vodka’s special “Spirit of Stonewall” Limited Edition bottle designed by Thalhammer to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. The limited edition bottle will help raise funds for the Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative in support of its mission to eliminate the social intolerances that impacts the lives of our LGBTQ community in America and abroad through awareness campaigns, educational programming, fundraising and public dialogue. Lisa Marie Thalhammer is an award-winning visual artist best known for her iconic 13-color rainbow "LOVE" mural located on Blagden Alley in Washington, D.C.'s Shaw neighborhood. For the Spirit of Stonewall bottle Thalhammer used a mural theme and incorporated emblematic LGBTQ imagery including five hands and three protest signs at the corner of Gay and Christopher Streets outside of the Stonewall Inn, a high heel to represent the transgender activists who initiated the 1969 uprising, a sign spelling out "LIBERATION" as a reference to the Gay Liberation Front that includes three gender symbols as well as a peace sign and protest fist holding a rainbow energy ribbon that swirls between fingers and brings the community together. Since 2010 Patrik has represented Stoli vodka as North American LGBTQ Manager and Ambassador for Stoli Group USA. We talked to Patrick and Lisa Marie about the Stoli “Spirit of Stonewall” campaign and their spin on our LGBTQ issues.
When asked what she would like to accomplish with this campaign Thalhammer stated, “I really want my artwork to inspire people to join the movement for love. To really practice kindness with each other within the community and really value the diverse identities that we all have and then also hope that this artwork can celebrate you know where we have been and how far we have come. Just thinking about what happened at Stonewall Inn in 1969 and how many trials and tribulations LGBTQ people had to go through at that time and to think about the visibility that we have now. We still have so much further to go but it’s really inspiring to see the change that can be made just in a lifetime.”
Stoli will be hosting an event scheduled to take place on June 25th during World Pride in New York City. Additionally a piece of art commemorating the Spirit of Stonewall is planned for an unveiling ahead of the Stoli Key West Cocktail Classic the world's largest annual LGBTQ bartending competition beginning on June 4th.
For More Info: stoli.com
Grateful to the overwhelming support Stoli and activists like Patrik and Lisa Marie. Love the bottle design and appreciate the very strong and heartfelt commitment and positivism your interview evokes. Thank you Stoli and team. Thank you Charlotte.
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