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Monday, October 28, 2019

Gretchen Wylder Talks Comedy Series “These Thems” (AUDIO)












 

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Gretchen Wylder the creator and writer of “These Thems” an award-winning intersectional queer comedy series. “These Thems” directed by Jett Garrison is a seven episode fully narrative digital series that follows the lives of a newly out lesbian making up for lost time, a non-binary educator intent on training the straights, a transgender man who is comfortably in the closet and a lovelorn gay best friend. In our world where plenty of people are living beyond the gender binary very few explicitly non-binary characters are represented in mainstream media. Non-binary gender identity may be one of the least understood labels falling under the LGBTQ+ umbrella simply because it’s also one of the least visible. Wylder is among the very few writers and show creators paying consideration to non-binary identities and gender non-conformity that’s moving the needle for accurate depiction. “These Thems” explores themes of queerness, gender identity, coming out, sexual empowerment, acceptance and self expression taking the audience through New York's vibrant LGBTQ+ community. Since its U.S. Premiere at Outfest the series has traveled the festival circuit winning a Jury Award for Best Series and an Audience Award for Best Comedy Film. The series tells the story of Gretchen played by Wylder who after realizing she may be a lesbian quickly befriends non-binary dog walker Vero (Victoria “Vico” Ortiz) who decides to stop training dogs and start training the straights. Vero takes Gretchen under their wing and introduces Gretchen to the queer world as she navigates what it's like to be newly out at the age of 30. Vero's childhood friend Asher (Shaan Dasani) isn't out as trans at work and is faced with the decision to out himself when an opportunity for an LGBTQ account pops up. Gretchen's gay best friend and roommate Kevin (Nick Park) is looking for love and may have found it in Asher. We talked to Wylder about what she hopes to accomplish with “These Thems” and her spin on our LGBTQ issues.

Gretchen Wylder recently relocated to Los Angeles after being a working actor in NYC for the past nine years and in Chicago six years prior to that. She has originated roles in musical comedies Off-Broadway, regionally and internationally. In addition to working with legends Kathy Griffin, Julie Andrews, Anthony Rapp and Judy Gold, Gretchen has performed sketch and improv at UCB NYC, the PIT Magnet and Second City. Wylder’s theatre credits include Avenue Q, Rent, The Wild Party and Bedbugs The Musical.
For More Info: gretchenwylder.com





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Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Cheryl Osimo Talks MBCC Party For Prevention & More (AUDIO)














In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Cheryl Osimo Executive Director of the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition about the 22nd anniversary of their premier fundraising event the Lesbians and Friends LGBTQ Dance Party For Prevention that takes place at The Inn at Brookline at 1200 Beacon Street in Brookline, Massachusetts on October 26th from 8P to 12P. This year MBCC is proud to be honoring Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey. Osimo stated, "Attorney General Healey has worked tirelessly for the citizens of Massachusetts across so many important issues. We admire all that she has accomplished and continues to work towards on behalf of her constituents and look forward to honoring her at this year’s event." AG Healey will not be present at the event but will be appearing in a special video presentation to be shown during the evening’s festivities. MBCC will also be recognizing longtime MBCC supporter Laura Diamond owner of Diamond Physical Therapy Associates and Moving Violations Motorcycle Club the oldest women’s motorcycle club in New England. In Massachusetts breast cancer incidence rates are 12% higher than the national average which estimates that 1 in 8 U.S. women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. However the most commonly cited risk factors, genetic inheritance and lifestyle factors, are present in only 20-30% of breast cancer cases. This leaves 70-80% of cases unexplained. MBCC is the only breast cancer non-profit working closely with a research and sister organization Silent Spring Institute to investigate preventable environmental causes of the disease. This work is funded through annual fundraising events like the upcoming Lesbians & Friends Dance: A Party for Prevention. We talked to Cheryl about what she hopes to accomplish with her work at MBCC and her spin on our LGBTQ issues.

Cheryl Osimo is a fierce LGBTQ ally and devoted breast cancer activist and advocate since 1991 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 41. She has been a catalyst in raising public awareness of the possible environmental links to breast cancer. Her commitment to breast cancer prevention and awareness benefits women worldwide. The Lesbians and Friends LGBTQ Dance Party For Prevention features DJ Shelly Cullen, complimentary hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar and a silent auction with items donated from LGBTQ+ friendly businesses across New England. To kick off the event longtime supporter Liz Nania of Out to Dance will lead a free one-hour dance workshop for all interested participants from 7P to 8P. Tickets are $45 general and $20 for students online or on the day of the event $50 general and $25 for students at the door. Halloween Costumes are optional.
WATCH Acceptance Speech VIDEO
 
For More Info: mbcc.org





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Thursday, October 3, 2019

Esther Newton Talks “My Butch Career A Memoir” (AUDIO)














In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Esther Newton about her book “My Butch Career A Memoir” that addresses her gender identity and exploration during a particularly intense time of homophobic persecution in the twentieth century. Newton’s story is compelling, disarming and at times carnal as she struggles to write, teach and find love. From being molested as a child to her failed attempts to live a “normal” straight life in high school and college she became an influential figure in the LGBTQ history movement and a powerful reminder of just how recently it has been possible to be an openly queer academic. With humor and grace she describes her introduction to middle-class lesbian life and her love affairs including one with a well-known abstract painter and another with a French academic she encountered in Mexico and traveled with throughout France and Switzerland. Newton's narrative ends in her forties when she begins to achieve personal and scholarly stability in the company of the first politicized generation of out lesbian and gay scholars with whom she helped create gender and sexuality studies. We talked to Esther about her inspiration for writing “My Butch Career A Memoir” and give us her spin on our LGBTQ issues.

Esther Newton is a founder of and leading scholar in LGBTQ studies. She received her BA at the University of Michigan in history before starting graduate work in anthropology at the University of Chicago. In 1968 her courageous PhD dissertation entitled “The Drag Queens: A Study in Urban Anthropology” examined the experiences, social interactions and culture of drag queens of mostly gay men that was later published under the title “Mother Camp” in 1972. Her second book “Cherry Grove, Fire Island: Sixty Years in America's First Gay and Lesbian Town” was published in 1993. Newton was active in Second Wave Feminism, Gay Liberation and the Lesbian/Feminist movements. Her work has been translated into French, Spanish, Hebrew, Polish and Slovak. Currently Newton is the subject of a documentary of her life story and contributing to a book of photography with acclaimed photographer Eva Weiss.
For More Info: esther-newton.com





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