-->

Friday, October 28, 2022

Cathy Renna Talks LGBTQ Midterm Election Agenda (AUDIO)


 





In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Cathy Renna Communications Director for the National LGBTQ Task Force about joining forces with Equality Florida and Equality Texas to fight anti-LGBTQ extremism ahead of midterms including a new election animated ad campaign. The ads are adapted from an innovative campaign developed by Wide Angle Research inviting voters to fight extremism and fight for our freedoms. Equality Florida is targeting Governor DeSantis for his repeated attacks against our LGBTQ community, especially highlighting his signing of the vicious "Don't Say Gay" legislation and his repeated attempts to censor school curriculums and ban books. Equality Texas is focusing their efforts on Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for his anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and promises to defend the Supreme Court with any law criminalizing sodomy enacted by the Legislature. The ads are in English markets and also target Latino audiences with Spanish subtitles. These ads raise awareness around the increasingly aggressive attacks on our LGBTQ community and communities of color including legislation that bans hundreds of books and censors curriculum covering slavery or mentioning LGBTQ people. As extreme politicians strip away freedoms by banning abortions even in cases of rape and incest they’re also working to criminalize and charge parents with child abuse simply for supporting their transgender child. Renna also talked about the National LGBTQ Task Force “Queer The Vote” campaign that builds grassroot efforts in key battleground states to inform voters of the crucial issues they’re facing in the midterm elections as well as driving LGBTQ people and allies to the polls. We talked to Cathy about what she hopes to accomplish with these campaigns and her spin on our LGBTQ issues. 

Cathy Renna has been part of the Task Force’s extended family for decades. Renna is a veteran in the communications industry and serves as the Principal of Target Cue and LGBTQ focused communications consultancy. Cathy has played a role in shaping nearly all major issues affecting the LGBTQ community from the beating death of Matthew Shepard in 1998 to the fight for marriage equality and the repeal of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” to the increasing visibility of trans and non-binary people. She also worked with the team that coordinated historic coverage for the 50th anniversary of Stonewall in 2019 with NYC Pride. Renna lives in Montclair, New Jersey with her wife Karen and is the proud Mom of Mars who attends HSPVA High School for Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, Texas. For More Info… 


Tuesday, October 11, 2022

Cheryl Osimo Talks 25th MBCC Party For Prevention (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 25th anniversary of their premier fundraising event the Lesbians and Friends LGBTQ Dance Party For Prevention that takes place in person at Club Café in Boston on October 22nd from 6P to 9:30P and virtually via Zoom. This year they’re honoring the event’s founder Attorney Susan Wilson. Osimo stated, "Susan is a true humanitarian, scholar, visionary and friend to MBCC and all of those who have been touched by breast cancer. I don’t know of anyone who excels beyond Susan in the spirit of service and leadership – she is truly a remarkable person." Funds raised from the Party for Prevention help support MBCC’s education programs designed to provide our communities with vital health information on ways to reduce exposure to toxic chemicals in the products they use and in the environments in which they live, learn and work. 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 and Friends LGBTQ Dance Party For Prevention. The in-person Dance will be held at Boston’s best LGBTQ venue Club Café with DJ Andrea spinning and there will also be a dance lesson from OUT to Dance’s founder and director Liz Nania. 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. Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition is the leading breast cancer organization dedicated to preventing the environmental causes of breast cancer through community education, research advocacy and changes to public policy. Tickets for the in-person Club Café 21 years or older event are $40 in advance and $45 at the door. Student tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door for 21 years or older with a student ID. Tickets for the virtual event are $20 via Zoom. For More Info…