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Monday, May 24, 2021

Jen Rainin & Franco Stevens Talk “Ahead Of The Curve” (AUDIO)




 

 

 

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with filmmaker Jen Rainin and Curve magazine founder Franco Stevens about their new documentary “Ahead Of The Curve” set for release on digital platforms and Wolfe Video DVD. The award-winning documentary features Melissa Etheridge, Lea DeLaria, Jewelle Gomez and Franco Stevens. “Ahead Of The Curve” tells the story of how Franco launched Curve, the best-selling lesbian magazine ever published with a fist full of credit cards, a lucky run at the horse track and chutzpah for days. The film tracks the power of lesbian visibility and community from the early ‘90s to the present day through the story of Stevens founding of the magazine. Decades later in the wake of a disabling injury Franco learns that Curve will fold within the year and questions the relevance of the magazine in the face of accelerating threats to our LGBTQ+ community. To forge a path forward Franco reaches out to women working in today’s queer spaces to understand what queer women need today and how Curve can continue to serve the community. “Ahead of the Curve” is directed and produced by Jen Rainin and Rivkah Beth Medow on behalf of Frankly Speaking Films and executive produced by Lindsey Dryden. We talked to Jen Rainin and Franco Stevens about what they hope to accomplish with “Ahead Of The Curve” and their spin on our LGBTQ issues. 

Franco Stevens is the founder of Curve magazine that created the lesbian market for advertisers, helped the lesbian community accept femme-identifying lesbians, changed the way lesbians are seen by the mainstream, highlighted the transgender experience, brought attention to lesbian families, raised awareness of attacks on LGBTQ rights and amplified the work of lesbian activists. Her wife Jen Rainin founded Frankly Speaking Films with Rivkah Beth Medow in 2020 focusing filmmaking on building community, deepening understanding of social justice issues and telling great stories. Currently Curve has launched The Curve Foundation whose mission is to empower lesbian, queer women, trans women and non-binary people to share our culture and our stories, connect with each other and raise visibility. "Ahead Of The Curve" is available on Starz, Apple, Amazon and everywhere you watch movies.  For More Info...

Thursday, May 13, 2021

Stephanie Battaglino Talks New Memoir & LGBTQ Equality (AUDIO)


 


 

 

 

 

 

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with activist and author Stephanie Battaglino about her new memoir “Reflections From Both Sides of the Glass Ceiling: Finding My True Self in Corporate America” published by L’Oste Vineyard Press. After many years in the corporate world struggling to find her true self Battaglino went on to become New York Life’s first transgender officer. Her memoir delves into her journey to fulfillment both personally and professionally highlighting her efforts in fighting for gender equality and calling to attention the work that still needs to be accomplished. Stephanie now leads Diversity & Inclusion workshops, presentations and trainings sharing over 40 years of professional experience working with and within Fortune 100 companies. Retiring in 2019 from her position as Corporate Vice President at New York Life Insurance Company she is well versed in the ways of corporate America and has become a leader in the conversation surrounding workplace equality for transgender and non-binary people. Unfortunately the reality still remains that many of our LGBTQ community must make a choice between coming out in the workplace and assuring their job security. “Reflections From Both Sides of the Glass Ceiling: Finding My Authentic Self in Corporate America” is part memoir and also part cautionary tale of what it is like to experience a career on both sides of the gender divide. Stephanie's honest and vulnerable storytelling paints a vivid picture of what the intersection of gender and gender identity looks like from a decidedly unique point of view. We talked to Stephanie about her inspiration for writing this book and her spin on our LGBTQ issues. 

Stephanie Battaglino is a major voice in the LGBTQ workplace equality movement focusing specifically on transgender and non-binary individuals. She currently sits on the Board of PFLAG National and is the Chair of their Business Advisory Council. Actually Brian K. Bond PFLAG National Executive Director wrote the forward to “Reflections From Both Sides of the Glass Ceiling: Finding My Authentic Self in Corporate America”. Battaglino has proudly served on the boards of the LGBT Community Center of New York and the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF). She is also a past member of the Transgender Advisory Committee of Out & Equal Workplace Advocates. Stephanie resides in Palm Desert, California with her wife Mari. For More Info...


 
 
 

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