Gay Activist Mike Ruiz Speaks OUT

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with world-renowned Photographer Mike Ruiz about his book “Pretty Masculine” that's now available on a new app. When Mike released his first book of images entitled "Pretty Masculine" last year it was an exploration of breaking stereotypes specifically in males as an effort to deconstruct the preconceived ideas about masculinity. Though the coffee table book, which all the profits went to GMHC, played with masculine and feminine imagery, the new app is inclusive to our entire LGBT community. The app is an all-encompassing experience that allows users to witness the full scope of the creative process. It provides behind-the-scenes-footage and interviews of models, make-up artists, hair stylists and more. This whimsical app also allows users to upload and manipulate their own images and apply a variety of elements, such as lighting and costuming to their photographs creating "Pretty Masculine-izing" imagery. We talked to Mike about this and his spin on our LGBT issues.

When asked what his reaction was to Obama finally including our LGBT community in his inaugural speech, Ruiz stated, “I burst into tears. I anticipated him including the LGBT community in his inaugural speech because he has been very vocal about it. But you know actually hearing it in the content, in that form and seeing all the people respond in a positive way was really overwhelming. It just made the whole thing so mainstream. You know it made it like a civil rights movement that anyone who doesn’t participate in is going to be on the wrong side of history and that made me realize this is so awesome. This is a pivotal moment in history. I remember when Reagan wouldn’t even acknowledge AIDS and HIV you know by allocating any funds to research. And now the President is including our community in his inaugural speech. It’s really amazing and emotional but it’s really something we should be taking for granted. He shouldn’t even have to be discussing this stuff. It’s the same way with the civil rights movement. Everyone should have equal rights. It should be a given. It shouldn’t be something that you should be so grateful to be acknowledged for. Once we’re given any kind of rights we have to give that person a metal. We deserve it, we’re human beings. The short answer to your question is “I burst into tears.”

Whether it's Kim Kardashian, Betty White, Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry or Prince, Mike has seen and shot them all. His work has appeared in Conde Nast Traveller, Elle, Interview, Paper, Flaunt, Spanish & Brazilian Vogue, Citizen K, Vanity Fair, Verve and other publications. Mike's keen eye and astute entrepreneurial skills have landed him positions in a wide array of fields. He founded Aardvark Aartists, an agency representing photographers, art directors and set designers. In the past year, Mike worked to create a t-shirt line that helps raise funds and awareness for The Ali Forney Center and currently has a public service announcement airing on LOGO creating awareness for HIV/AIDS testing. Mike also has partnered up with fashion designer J. Cheikh to create a line of red carpet menswear.
For More Info: mikeruiz.com

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Religion, Sexuality & LGBT Issues

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Rev. Richard Emmanuel about why the quest for LGBT equality continues to create such a commotion with the Christian, Judaic and Islam religious communities. Emmanuel brings clarity to this dilemma by giving us a history lesson to why our LGBT people present such a threat to conservative religious leaders. Before Christianity there wasn’t even a word for homosexuality. This is because it was just part of self-discovery. Emmanuel is the minister of a Church that has no members. Why no members? He states how can one join something other than the quest to “Know Thyself”. He reminds visitors to his Experimental Church that those are the words inscribed above the portal of the Ancient Greek Temple of Apollo. We talked to Emmanuel about this and why in 2013 LGBT homophobia still persists.

 Emmanuel stated, “Let’s look at the passing of the wonderful person Gore Vidal, a great person in terms of understanding history and the narrative of how things work. He was liberated in terms of his own identity, in terms of his sexuality and, basically, set an example despite all of the criticism, all of the harangue, he walked through it and was himself. Just before he died he was asked ‘What is the greatest mistake humanity has made?’ Without hesitation Gore Vidal said one word ‘Monotheism’. And out of that you got to understand if you trace this, Monotheism is the mechanism to describe one way or the highway. My way or no way and that is the problem of the issue of human sexuality. Let’s look at how we label one another. The idea when Gore Vidal said Monotheism is a word that allows for the concept of authoritarian dictate. So this is where we all start to define ourselves. This is gay, this is lesbian, this is transsexual and this is straight. Back 2000 years ago in the Greco Roman period do you realize there wasn’t a word for homosexual? People just used their sensuality and their sexuality to become who they are and there was no guilt. This is where LGBT people are consistently made to feel guilty about their own thought process. We have to look at what the three western faiths Christianity, Judaism and Islam are doing to us and why are we so sexually dysfunctional in our culture.”

 On issues of beliefs Richard cautions, “Belief creates its own prejudice. Even the notion 'Scientific Truth' creates its own rigid constellations of the celestial configuration of stars, planets, comets, galaxies, the Universe and the Cosmos. The Real Questions: Are you conscious? Do you know that you must construct your own story of Being?” Rev. Emmanuel understands that LGBT issues are the greatest clues for the transcendence of human sexual guilt however he needs your help. “Human Sexual Guilt? Get Over it!” he concludes. (Photo by Chad Carlberg) Listen to 2009 Interview w/ Rev. Richard Emmanuel "2012 What An Awakening"
For More Info: thechurch.org 

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Gay Activist Singer Janis Ian Speaks OUT

Update: Janis Ian Wins Grammy For Best Spoken Word Album for "Society's Child: My Autobiography" :) Congrats Janis!!

 In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with singer songwriter Janis Ian about her autobiography “Society’s Child” that’s been nominated for a Grammy in the Best Spoken Word Category. The title comes from her Grammy nominated song of the same name she wrote when she was only 15 years old that also gave her a place in the Grammy Hall of Fame. This is her 9th nomination in categories from jazz to folk with two Grammy wins. This year the Best Spoken Word Category is dominated by three extremely talented and respected gay women including Ian, Rachel Maddow and Ellen DeGeneres. The other nominees in this category are Bill Clinton and Michelle Obama. During the 1960’s most adults could not have survived the scorn and controversy that surrounded her debut single and first hit “Society’s Child” that focused on an interracial couple in an era when tempers flared at even such a mention. Ian stated, “The first song I had a hit with was a song called “Society’s Child” about a black boy dating a white girl and it became very controversial. Radio stations were burned down and people were fired for playing it, so it was a baptism by fire and the book starts with that and continues until I meet my partner of now 24 years, Pat, here in Nashville. And we go through some adventures together, but at the end of the day it all works out.”

 When asked what her personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights Janis added, “The same as my commitment to any civil rights, to women’s rights or children’s rights. Of course I have a different vested interest in the gay community because I am gay and I would certainly enjoy the tax advantages that straight people have and the inheritance advantages and things like social security. But I’ve always been a civil rights advocate across the board. That’s how I was raised.”

 Janis Ian has shared a stage with Tom Paxton, Lou Gossett Jr., Judy Collins, Phil Ochs, and a host of other singer-songwriters. In 2013 she will be touring throughout America and with Tom Paxton in the UK in the fall. The 55th Annual Grammy Awards will be held on February 10th 2013 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and will air on CBS at 8P ET/PT.
For More Info: janisian.com

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Kendra TV Show Takes on LGBT Issues

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with actor Bill Brochtrup and producer Jon Avnet about their new television series “Kendra” on the WIGS Network which is the #1 channel for scripted drama on YouTube. Openly gay actor Bill Brochtrup played the gay temp, John Irvin on “NYPD Blue” and straight ally writer/director Jon Avnet is credited with decades of award winning television and film productions including “Black Swan” and “Fried Green Tomatoes”. Kendra is about a bi-sexual post-op nurse played by Sarah Jones (Vegas, Alcatraz) and set in a hospital recovery room known as “Twilight” where people coming off anesthesia are more vulnerable to their true self. Her roommates are a multi-racial gay couple Arnold and Kenny (Brochtrup and DeVaughn Nixon) all of whom served in both Iraq and Afghanistan. We talked to Brochtrup and Avnet about this edgy series that addresses “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and other LGBT topics.

When asked what his personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights Brochtrup stated, “I’m gay. I’ve been an openly gay actor for many years since I began working on ‘NYPD Blue’. I’ve always been an optimist as far as history goes. I feel like things are moving quickly towards complete equal rights for LGBT people and it may seem slow sometimes to people who are out in the field fighting for these things but over the course of history we will realize that this has happened very quickly in this country and I’m proud to have played a small part in that. I think that images we see in the media can really move this zeitgeist and make people understand that LGBT people are just like everyone else and want the same things that everyone else wants. So I’ve always found the important thing people can do is come out, be themselves and lead an honest life and it’s been shown many times that the more the straight world gets to know gay people, they’re in their family, they’re in their workplace, we’re everywhere as part of the fabric of the community, the more people are accepting that it’s not that big a deal.”

WIGS Launched in May 2012 on YouTube and has 92,848 subscribers and 18,829,167 video views. It consists of provocative, edgy and addictive series, short films, and documentaries, featuring complex, compelling characters played by female leads. Created by Jon Avnet and Rodrigo Garcia (“Albert Nobbs,” “In Treatment”) the channel combines Hollywood’s most successful creative minds with the innovation and power of the digital age to deliver consumers high-quality, original entertainment.
For More Info: youtube.com/wigs 

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Kate Clinton: 2012 LGBT Review & 2013 Forecast

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Kate Clinton, our favorite lesbian political humorist. As we head into the New Year it’s time to reflect on 2012 and chat about what 2013 will bring our LGBT community. This has been an amazing year for LGBT people starting with Obama finally coming out in support of marriage equality, Tammy Baldwin being the first lesbian elected to the U.S. Senate and gay marriage passing in Washington, Maryland and Maine. Now with Obama being elected to another term and gay marriage and Proposition 8 headed to the U.S. Supreme Court we have a lot to look forward to in the coming year. We talked to Kate about these events and her spin on our LGBT issues.

When asked what she would like to see happen for LGBT civil rights in the next four years, Clinton stated, “Well there’s a lot of things that still need work on and I think we can certainly keep pushing for marriage equality on the federal level. But, I think that we still have a lot of work to do on immigration, a lot of work to do on HIV/AIDS, a lot of work to pass ENDA, a trans inclusive ENDA because in so many states they don’t have non discrimination laws. So a federal nondiscrimination law would be a great start and it’s been stalled forever. There are those LGBT things to work on but I also think that… I’m not a physicist, I’m a metaphysicist… which is hard to say really. You know I think that there’s a certain amount of freedom and just a very finite amount and you know we gave some to the gays so we’re going to have to take it away from somewhere and it seems to be taken away from women. In a lot of ways, I think that women are the new gays. LGBT people need to be reminded, they do know it in their hearts, that our issues are also issues of choice and that we have to support the women’s movement and support women working against violence, for reproductive freedom and that those are our issues as well. In short we still have work to do.”

Join Kate Clinton for her world-famous 2013 SIS-BOOM-BAH TOUR! Once again, she'll be shaking her pom poms, pumping up the crowd, leading the cheers and jeers. Sis is for the sisters and others. Boom for the boomers and babes. Bah to anyone who doesn't have team spirit. Verbal stunts, tumbling in the aisles and laughing side-splits! Climb on the human pyramid of fun. Catch the spirit of SIS-BOOM-BAH!  
For More Info: kateclinton.com

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LGBT Activist Laverne Cox Speaks OUT

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Laverne Cox, actress, producer and transgender advocate currently appearing in the new Susan Seidelman (Desperately Seeking Susan) film MUSICAL CHAIRS. This must-see film is a unique blend of dance, drama, and romance starring newcomers Leah Pipes and E.J. Bonilla as a pair of unlikely lovers in contemporary New York who must face a number of challenges both separately and together before finding one another and themselves. Also appearing is Tony-winner Priscilla Lopez, Jaime Tirelli, Morgan Spector, Auti Angel, Jerome Preston Bates, Nelson R. Landrieu and Angelic Zambrana, We talked to Laverne about the film, the GLAAD National Campaign "I AM: Trans People Speak" co-sponsored by The Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition that she is involved with and her spin on our LGBT civil rights.

When asked what her personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights Cox stated, “I think about this and I really think it’s about me being an American and me being a proud American. I love this country and I love what this country in theory stands for. I believe that all our citizens are equal and should be treated and seen equally under that law and we know that’s not quite how it is for LGBT folk specifically trans folks because I’m trans I take it kind of personally. I’m discriminated against when the laws don’t necessarily accommodate the reality of my life. So my commitment really is a commitment to American values and what this country should be about. The commitment to equality and I just know from my own personal experience so often I’ve been made to feel less than because I’m trans and I don’t think anyone should be made to feel less than because of who they are on a fundamental level. So I think a lot of my commitment comes out of these things.”

Laverne Cox made television history when she became the first African American transgender woman to appear on a reality television program, VH1’s “I Wanna Work for Diddy” in 2008. Laverne is also the first African American transgender woman to produce and star in her own television show, VH1’s critically acclaimed “TRANSForm Me”. Laverne has garnered critical acclaim for her role in “Musical Chairs”. Keith Uhlich of “Time Out” wrote, “You leave remembering…Laverne Cox’s galvanizing mettle as a paraplegic transsexual who befriends Mia.” Laverne is currently in production in the upcoming Netflix original television prison series "Orange is the New Black" by the creator of "Weeds" Jenji Kohan premiering in 2013. Cox has appeared on NBC’s "Law and Order" and "Law and Order: SVU", as well as HBO’s "Bored to Death." Her other independent film credits include “Carla,” “36 Saints” and “The Exhibitionists.” She is also a regular contributor to Huffington Post.
For More Info: lavernecox.com 
  
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Gay Ally Vintage Trouble Speaks OUT

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with gay allies, lead singer Ty Taylor and bassist Rick Barrio Dill from the R & B band VINTAGE TROUBLE. We first met VINTAGE TROUBLE in October when they were partnering with groups to register voters at their concerts and at campaign events. At the time they were touring with Joss Stone. VINTAGE TROUBLE is currently on tour with the legendary rock band THE WHO. We talked to Ty and Rick about their music, touring with THE WHO and their spin on LGBT civil rights.

When asked what their reaction was to Obama being re-elected and gay marriage passing in Washington, Maryland and Maine Rick stated, “It was moving for us for a lot of reasons. Not only for a lot of our friends and family that this is an important issue but just as a country I think it’s imperative that we move forward. We’ve been very fortunate to travel to a lot of different countries and places and the viewpoint and the social sort of zeitgeist feels in a lot of places like it’s further then it is in America. So it was very important to see the progress and to see the progression of some of these issues like gay rights and even the continuation of a lot of the things this President is trying to lay out. It was great to just feel like we’re moving forward and we’re keeping the pedal to the metal as far as progress.” Ty added, “I was excited but also in my mind it’s just infuriating to be even dealing with issues like this anymore. More so than lesbian, gay, any of these kinds of issues, there should be a basic civil right issue and I can’t believe anyone is still trying to tell any particular group of people that they can’t marry anyone from any other group of people or from the same group of people. Just doesn’t make sense to me. So I’m excited that we got to add more states to the pool of states that have already realized that marriage should be marriage and I was excited that Obama was re-elected. All of these things should just be evident. It shouldn’t even be a question that Obama was the new President again and it shouldn’t be even a question that Washington DC should allow gay marriage. Every state should allow it. It’s just silly and almost, I hate to say the word ‘stupid’ or use stupidity because I try to be nonjudgmental but the idea that someone can’t marry someone is just ridiculous to me.”

Vintage Trouble released their studio album The Bomb Shelter Sessions in 2011 that won them the 2011 Classic Rock Award for "Best New Band." The band is from Hollywood, California and consists of lead singer Ty Taylor, Nalle Colt guitars/vocals, Rick Barrio Dill bass guitar/vocals and drummer Richard Danielson. Vintage Trouble is currently opening for legendary rock band The Who’s North American tour entitled ‘Quadrophenia & More’. Surviving members Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend are performing the 1973 album in its entirety along with other classic songs from their catalog. Pete’s brother Simon Townshend is on guitar. Replacing the late original drummer Keith Moon and bassist John Entwistle are Zakk Starkey, Ringo‘s son and Pino Palladino on bass. We caught this concert in Boston and it was brilliant. THE WHO is on a 37 US city-tour. Don’t miss it.
For More Info: vintagetrouble.com
 
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Gay Activist Michelle C. Bonilla Speaks OUT

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Alma Award-winning actor Michelle C. Bonilla, one the first openly gay Latina actors in Hollywood. Bonilla appeared for 12 Seasons on NBC’s ER as the sexy Latina paramedic "Harms" in one of the first ongoing lesbian roles on network television. Michelle C. Bonilla and Matt Crabtree have created a new sitcom web series “Failing Upwards” that follows a group of four unlikely friends who find themselves going through unemployment together. Each of the characters, inept in their own special way, ends up surprising themselves, each other and the audience with the hilarity of finding a job, even if you have to lie to get one. We talked to Michelle about her new series, how the Latino vote helped re-elect Obama and her spin on our LGBT Issues.

When asked what her personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights and coming out in Hollywood, Bonilla stated, “I am very much a proponent for the Human Rights Campaign. I love what they stand for and I’m just really getting the word out about equality in our community. First of all I believe that whoever you are as an individual you have to be true to yourself. My truth at that time I came out was that I’m a lesbian Latina working in Hollywood and I had nothing to hide and feel no shame about it. A lot of questions that came up for me was like ‘are you sure you want to do this?’ Agents asked me worried about what casting directors would think or producers would think. I have been acting for quite a long time and I felt that producers already knew me for my talent and what I have done as an actor and when I go into a room for an audition I don’t think that being gay is the thing they’re thinking about. They’re thinking can you do this job. So I’ve been very lucky in the sense that I’ve been judged based on my talent and not my sexuality.”

 Besides “Failing Upwards” Michelle C. Bonilla’s recent credits include “Luck”, “Model Minority”, “Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior” and “The Closer”. She also co-stars with Lauren Birriel in the award winning short “Slip Away” about lovers caught in a web of desire, deception and untruth that’s available on Amazon.
For More Info: failingupwardstheseries.com 

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Gay Israeli Chef Gil Hovav Speaks OUT

 In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Gil Hovav, Israel's leading culinary journalist and television personality. Gil was recently in Boston in celebration of “Out In Israel Month” a program to educate about the status of civil rights for LGBT Israeli citizens and exchange ideas about our LGBT community in both Israel and Massachusetts. We talked to Hovav about this, LGBT issues, his newest cookbook “Confessions of a Kitchen Rebbetzin” and his spin on the current Gaza conflict.

When asked what his personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights, Hovav stated, “To tell you the truth I’m not a very political person. So I usually do not lead pride. Sometimes because I’m known in Israel they ask me to join this fight or another and I always do it gladly but I’m not a picket sign holder. I think that the most important thing when you reach a certain level of celebrity is to be out because otherwise it’s a bad example for youngsters. Of course I am against outing but I think that it’s my moral duty to be as out as I can, to speak to people, to talk to people about my loving family, of my relationship with my boyfriend and our relationship with our daughter. The fact is our life is no different then the lives of straight couples that live around us, with us, and the fact that life can be really good and full and happy when you are gay.”

Gil began his career as a restaurant critic, became an editor in Israel's leading newspaper, and was involved in the creation of some of Israel's most popular television cooking and food shows. These shows include the classic "Pepper, Garlic and Olive Oil", "Captain Cook" and "Going to the Market". The series were later turned into best-selling cookbooks. Currently Hovav is busy with his publishing and production company Toad Communications and lecturing worldwide. Gil lives with his partner of 24 years whom he met during their army service and together they raise their nine-year-old daughter Naomi.
For More Info: outinisrael.org 

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