Gay Author Joel Derfner Speaks OUT

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with author Joel Derfner about his new memoir “Lawfully Wedded Husband: How My Gay Marriage Will Save the American Family” released by University of Wisconsin Press. In his memoir Derfner chronicles his path to marrying his longtime partner. Joel reflects on his insecurities, draws upon his family history and most importantly addresses American politics surrounding marriage equality. Derfner had to plan two weddings, one in a state in which his marriage was legal and one in which his family and friends could easily congregate to celebrate the occasion. His observations about the implications of this are infused with the perfect mix of serious scholarship, self-effacing humor and humility. We talked to Joel about his new book and his spin on our LGBT issues.

When asked what his personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights Derfner stated, “I would say that my personal commitment isn’t so much to LGBT civil rights but to the rights of all disenfranchised. Right now in America we’re one group that’s under attack but there’s a lot of other groups who are also under attack, women, the poor and people of color in respect to sexuality. Harvey Milk said when he won his seat as San Francisco Supervisor, ‘Without hope, not only gays, but the blacks, the seniors, the handicapped, the us'es, the us'es will give up. And if you help elect to the central committee and other offices more gay people, that gives a green light to all who feel disenfranchised, a green light to move forward. It means hope to a nation that has given up, because if a gay person makes it, the doors are open to everyone. So if there is a message I have to give, it is that if I've found one overriding thing about my personal election; it's the fact that if a gay person can be elected, it's a green light and you have to give people hope.’ So I guess my commitment to LGBT civil rights is to make sure the us’es realize we’re all in the fight together and victory for one group is victory for all. We have to fight not for ourselves but for each other.”

Joel Derfner is from South Carolina where his great-grandmother had an affair with George Gershwin. After leaving the South he got a B.A. in linguistics from Harvard. Realizing that linguistics was not his forte he moved to New York and earned an M.F.A. in musical theater from the Tisch School of the Arts. He has written numerous books and musicals scores for productions, produced in London, New York and various cities. In 2010 Joel co-starred in Sundance Channel’s reality soap “Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys” as the nervous groom on his way to the altar by his inexplicably single friend Sarah. The season finale showed his wedding in Iowa, which was the first legal wedding of a same gender couple in America on television.
For More Info: joelderfner.com 

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Rev Richard Emmanuel Explains Pope’s LGBT Humanity

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Rev Richard Emmanuel about Pope Francis’ comment that the Catholic Church is ‘obsessed’ with gays, abortion and birth control. Emmanuel is the founder of The Church an experimental religious organization in East Gloucester, Massachusetts dedicated to raising individual and collective consciousness by increasing personal spiritual awareness. Richard’s journey began with an epiphany while attending The Catholic University of America where through comparative religious studies Richard withdrew from the dogma of Roman Catholicism and Judeo/Christian belief. We talked to Richard about this, Russia’s anti gay laws, the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics and his spin on our LGBT issues.

When asked what his personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights Emmanuel stated, “This issue is a civil rights issue. It’s not about whether you’re gay, lesbian, transgender or black, white or Hindu or whatever religion. It’s always about humanity’s respect for one another. We are all one and that is why we can get ourselves into trouble when we become obsessed about our position and that we don’t see it as a human condition. I mean this idea of straights are normal because they’re in the majority, well, the numbers don’t mean anything. It’s one way of oppressiveness of one majority group oppressing a minority group and this has nothing to do with anything but a person’s rights. Humanity has evolved to this stage in which our rights as people are being challenged on a number of levels. Where are we taking this IT industry? Where is this information technology taking us? And this social networking, is it going to liberate us or force us into new constraints or a new tyranny of technology? I’m amazed at the number of people walking around not even in real space, texting on their smart phones. They’re not in the real world. I find this very disturbing.”

Currently Emmanuel is advocating for future public understanding of religious scientific, and social beliefs. His work is a “visual experience” and explores new forms of social language, belief structures, symbols and icons of our society and the transformation of cultural perception. He continues to find great inspiration in the history of human storytelling and applies this knowledge in advanced imaging for the ever-expanding “Information Age.”
For More Info: thechurch.org

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New Film “Matt Shepard Is A Friend Of Mine”

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Filmmaker Michele Josue about her new documentary MATT SHEPARD IS A FRIEND OF MINE. This October will mark fifteen years since Matthew Shepard was brutally murdered in Laramie, Wyoming just because he was gay. MATT SHEPARD IS A FRIEND OF MINE explores the human side of Shepard. Josue, as a close friend of Matt, travels to pivotal locations in Shepard’s life, interviewing other friends and family members and gaining insight into the beautiful life and devastating loss of Matthew Shepard. The film will have its coast-to-coast world premieres on October 4th at both the Mill Valley Film Festival in California and the Washington National Cathedral in Washington D.C. We talked to Michele about her must-see documentary that delivers a personal insight to Matt Shepard and her spin on our LGBT issues.

When asked as a heterosexual woman what her personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights Josue stated, “I think gay or straight, I think that everyone should have a commitment to LGBT civil rights. You know gay rights are human rights and the struggle affects all of us. For me it’s really important to stand up for my gay family members, my gay friends, Matt and all the Matt Shepards out there. To fight for their rights to be acknowledged as equal members of society, deserving of every equality that everyone else has. I believe we all have a tremendous responsibility and obligation to each other as human beings to stand up for each other. So I feel strongly about our film about Matt. It’s a shame that our story can only aid the education process of those who still don’t believe in equal rights for everyone. So through the film I’m trying to do my part for LGBT equality.”

Filmmaker Michele Josue was born to Filipino immigrant parents and raised in suburban Maryland. She met Matt Shepard while they were attending The American School in Switzerland. This marks the fifteenth anniversary since Matthew Shepard was kidnapped, tortured and tethered to a fence left to die. Never regaining consciousness Matthew succumbed to the severe injuries from the attack and died on October 12, 1998. In 2009 President Obama signed the LGBT inclusive Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. MATT SHEPARD IS A FRIEND OF MINE is currently playing the film festival circuit.

For Info & Schedule: mattshepardisafriendofmine.com 

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Worldwide LGBT Music & Video Competition

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Marlee Walchuk about the third annual RightOutTV Music and Video Awards for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex artists. The 2013 RightOutTV Music and Video Awards team is accepting submissions worldwide for songs and videos to be evaluated by a prestigious panel of 37 entertainment industry judges. Openly queer singer/songwriters from around the globe may submit songs and music videos in a variety of Indie-friendly categories. New this year for the competition include a “Best Non-English Video” category in an effort to expand the global reach and “The Best Comedy Video” category is open to Drag Artists. Also added are submissions for episodes of web series from LGBT writers and creators as well as LIVE and produced music videos. We talked to Marlee about the evolving RightOutTV Music and Video Awards as well as her spin on our LGBT issues.

When asked what her personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights Walchuk stated, “Well we start with being as open as possible, and I say ‘we’ as meaning my wife and I, about our sexuality always and everywhere, no matter how uncomfortable it makes us or other people. Sometimes as simple as introducing each other as my wife has a profound effect on people becoming use to us being around and accepting us. A good deal of our song lyrics deal with LGBT issues and we never hide the fact that we’re singing woman to woman. And because we enjoy a full range of LGBT rights in Canada we do tend to focus on how we can help other countries. We are really incredibly concerned with how the LGBT people in Russia are being persecuted right now. It’s shocking that this can happen in this time of history with no one of real power stepping in to help. We went to a ‘Love Russia, Hate Homophobia’ rally in downtown Vancouver and it was so moving to hear a letter written by an LGBT brother in Russia. I mean we just have no idea sitting in our safe communities what these people are going through. We were encouraged to email our officials about how we feel they need to step-up and take a stand and for Natalie and me that’s something that we’re currently doing. We’re just trying to get our opinion heard by as many people as possible that can actually do something about this.”

Canadian Marlee Walchuk and Aussie Tully Callender launched the RightOutTV Music and Video Awards in 2011. Walchuk and Callender of the music duo Sugarbeach launched the awards after realizing that in their own music career winning awards and nominations helped their profile more than any venue they’ve played or anyone they’ve played with. The submission fee is $15 and the deadline for submissions is Sept 24, 2013. Nominees will be announced Oct 10, 2013 and the popular “Fan Fave” voting, the only public voted award, begins Sept 30, 2013.
For Info & Submissions: rightouttvawards.com 

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Gay Filmmaker Nicole Conn Casting Contest

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson, host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with filmmaker Nicole Conn about her new film project “She Walks in Beauty” based on her bestselling 2001 novel. The story is about two women on two continents across two eras addressing love, lust and betrayal. Conn has teamed up with Executive Producer Elaine Sturgess to launch a search for a new movie star to be featured in the film. The brainchild of Elaine Sturgess, the iConn Casting Quest offers the chance for anyone, whether they have any acting experience or not, to apply for the opportunity to attend a casting session for the new movie. Nicole stated, “We are literally opening the casting process up to anyone worldwide who believes they have the talent to make it on the big screen. It doesn’t matter even if they have no acting experience at all, we’ll consider anyone as long as they can tell us a bit about who they are and why they think they have what it takes to feature in “She Walks in Beauty.” We talked to Conn about her ambitious global movie star talent search and our LGBT issues.

When asked what her personal commitment is to LGBT equality Nicole stated, “The LGBT equality issue for me is sort of a double edge sword. From a civil rights issue we should have all the rights that anybody has, we’re humans and it’s a human rights issue. One of my feelings is that the more equally we become the more invisible we’ve become on some levels because our community is primarily connected by only one thing, the fact that we love the same sex but we don’t pull the same traditions, social backgrounds, cultural backgrounds, any of those things. So there’s the one piece that binds us together and so I sometimes worry about when we are mainstreamed we lose ourselves as we have seen has happened in the past twenty years. There were bookstores, newspapers, there were magazines, coffee houses that were all dedicated to our community so you knew where to find our community. Now in the time of the internet I think it’s very difficult to find our community and so from that stand point it’s sort of a bittersweet passage. However I believe the time has come to merge LGBT with the rest of the universe especially in terms of our storytelling, our books, all of our films, you know we want our own library yet our library speaks to everybody. Our stories are human stories; they transcend LGBT and so it’s a very dicey question because the fact once mainstreamed we sort of disappear.”

 Since Nicole Conn released her landmark lesbian-themed movie “Claire of the Moon” in 1992 her films have included “Cynara”, “Elena Undone” and last year’s “A Perfect Ending” now the best selling lesbian movie of all time. The first iConn Casting Quest live event will take place in Brighton, UK in January 2014 where applicants will have the opportunity to read opposite well known actresses, including the lead from “A Perfect Ending” Barbara Niven. Further events will follow in the US. Currently Nicole is directing Jen Foster’s new music video “She” that addresses marriage equality.
For Info & Applications: shewalksinbeautymovie.com 

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New Animated Series Addresses LGBT History

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson, host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with filmmaker David Scheve about his new animated TV series “Hard Knock Rock”. “Sufferin' Till You're Straight” is the third in a series of ten segments that is currently playing the LGBT film festival circuit. This hilarious animated music video delivers a brilliant history lesson about our LGBT community’s long struggle for equality including Stonewall, gay marriage and more. The lead vocalist Essra Mohawk is a former member of Frank Zappa’s The Mothers of Invention and features background vocals by Scherrie Payne and Susaye Greene both of Motown’s The Supremes. Conceived by Scheve the music was composed by Todd Schroeder and the lyrics were written by Scheve and Neal LaVine. This three minute short was designed by legendary Warner Bros. / Disney animator Willie Ito. We talked to Scheve about “Hard Knock Rock” and his spin on our LGBT issues.

When asked what he would like to accomplish with “Hard Knock Rock” Scheve stated, “These films, I find can address a lot of subjects that are either taboo or difficult to talk about or things that make people uncomfortable, if you use a bit of humor and these films do that. So it brings up subjects that are good to have discussions about, subjects about gay rights and we’re doing a spot on transgender and transsexual people and drag queens and just talking about things that are real life things that sometimes make people uncomfortable and with the humor level and the aspect of animation it lowers peoples defenses and it starts discussions that are really important.”

 David Scheve is the founder of TDA Animation a film company that combines talents and styles from the 50s, 60s & 70s with modern world sensibility. His animated film series features some of Broadway's best including, Lillias White, Loretta Devine, Eileen Brennan and Elaine Stritch, as well as the iconic animated voice talent from his childhood including, June Foray, Lucille Bliss, Stan Freeburg and Jack Sheldon. David is currently at work on his next animated short film for the Hard Knock Rock series that features pop diva Martha Wash.
For Info & Film Schedule...

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Comedian Paula Poundstone Plays Provincetown

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson, host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with comedian Paula Poundstone who’s currently on tour and will be appearing at The Crown & Anchor in Provincetown, Massachusetts for two shows on Sunday, August 25th at 7:30P & 9:30P. Since Paula is a regular panelist on the hit NPR news quiz show, “Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me” we talked to Paula about our LGBT issues including the US Supreme Court gay marriage decisions, Russia’s anti gay laws and how this may impact the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics and more.

When asked about her grueling year-round performance schedule Poundstone stated, “To go into a room of people who come out to laugh for the night is already magical to begin with. In our society it’s almost unique at this point because people are so electronically hooked-up and enjoy that kind of entertainment so much. So to be in a room of live human beings where you can shake hands, make eye contact, talk about what happened to you on the way there, have some real genuine exchanges is a fantastic thing in itself. And then to get to stand on the stage and say what you think is funny and often times by the way I’ve shared things that were very personal on stage. I’ve had lots of struggles along the way and I’ve shared those struggles whether they were the most dramatic struggles or just the lesser frustrating ones and people laugh because the truth is, as much as we may think we’re terribly unique, in all of our difficulties we have a lot more in common than we have differences no matter who you are. So to be in a room of people laughing about those difficulties is the most amazing wonderful thing in the world. I’m really lucky that I sort of just stumbled in that direction and it’s helped me out in the last 34 years.”

In March 2013 Paula joined Whoopi Goldberg, Joan Rivers and several other prominent women in comedy for a feature-length documentary produced by Lions Gate for Showtime TV entitled, “Why We Laugh Too: Women of Comedy”. Her newest comedy cd, “I Heart Jokes: Paula Tells Them in Boston” was recorded during a performance at the Wilbur Theatre in the heart of the city and was released on April Fool’s Day 2013. Poundstone lives in Santa Monica, California with her three children, Toshia, Allison and Thomas E. To catch her at The Crown & Anchor in Provincetown, Massachusetts on August 25th Showtime is at 7:30P & 9:30P Tickets are $40.
For More Info & Tour Schedule: paulapoundstone.com 

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Gay Sports Activist David McFarland Speaks OUT

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson, host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with David McFarland, Founder and CEO of United for Equality in Sports & Entertainment (UESE), the nation’s first and only organization dedicated solely to advancing and achieving equality in sports and entertainment for our LGBT community. With the controversy over the upcoming 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia we thought we’d get his perspective on the situation. We talked to David about Russia’s anti gay laws, how this contentious situation will impact the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics and his spin on our LGBT issues in this country.

When asked what his position is on Russia’s anti gay laws especially with the Sochi Winter Olympics coming up in 2014 McFarland stated, “What we’re seeing in Russia is one of the key reasons I developed and launched United for Equality in Sports & Entertainment. Little did I know we would see this happen in a nation that decriminalized LGBT people in the early 1990’s. My global perspective on this issue is most closely related to the LGBT human rights work that I do with the United Nations and in African nations like Uganda. What’s happening in Russia right now after passing one of the most cornucopian anti gay laws in the world is a major human rights issue that the world needs to pay attention to and stand-up, speak-out about; it’s horrifying and unacceptable. Unfortunately what we are seeing are attacks and violence against LGBT people, you know torture etc. Frankly it’s officially sanctioned violence against LGBT people and it’s no secret that Putin has turned a blind eye towards this violence. Young gay youth as we know are being tortured and beaten in the streets, bullied and even murdered and kidnapped to go to who knows where by Russian authorities. The International Olympic Committee, the United Nations and leaders of all nations and governments across the world need to speak out, stand up and help bring an end to these human rights violations and put pressure on the Russian government and President Putin. And this pressure needs to happen on all levels to end this horrific event.”

David McFarland is the former Executive Director & CEO and Chair, Board of Directors of The Trevor Project the leading national mental health organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBT youth in the U.S. McFarland has spent the last year developing and building the infrastructure and mission for UESE. UESE is based in Los Angeles and will steer the conversation around promoting equality for all in sports and entertainment. UESE will collaborate with its partners to raise awareness about the importance of equality as a powerful tool in the advancement of social change and the creation of a safe and educated environment for openly LGBT athletes and artists. Recently UESE and its partners have requested that the International Olympic Committee should require the presence of a community-based Pride House at all Olympic Games to encourage dialogue and exchange on issues of discrimination and visibility for LGBT athletes and the LGBT sport movement.
For More Info: UESE.org 

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Gay Activist Actor Kit Williamson Speaks OUT

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson, host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with actor producer Kit Williamson about his web series “EastSiders” now airing online on VIACOM/LOGO. “EastSiders” is a dark comedy that explores the aftermath of a gay couple’s infidelity in Silver Lake, California. Williamson plays Cal who discovers that Thom (Van Hansis) has been cheating on him with Jeremy (Matthew McKelligon), which turns their relationship upside down. Cal’s best friend Kathy (Constance Wu) is always there for him to fuel the situation with a bottle of whiskey. We talked to Williamson about “Eastsiders” and his spin on our LGBT issues.

When asked what his personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights, Kit stated, “I’m personally very committed to LGBT civil rights. As a gay person I think that we’re in an amazing time of history where our actions have the possibility to affect change and I didn’t feel that way when I was a kid. I was very pessimistic as a kid growing up in Jackson Mississippi but I’ve seen the world around me change and I’m seeing minds and hearts change, even in Mississippi. I think that things have changed drastically since I was growing up there. I think it starts with being out and open about who you are and vocal about your experiences. You know having faced a lot of intense discrimination in my life I refuse to let fear determine my actions and I think more and more people are living their life that way.” When we then asked for his spin on actors coming out in Hollywood Kit added, “You know I think it’s a personal decision and I am strongly against the witch-hunts that goes on sometimes about people who are in the closet. I think we wouldn’t do that to teenagers so why on earth would we do it to a 20 year-old actor in Hollywood? That said I personally feel a sense of responsibility to be out and open in my career and my life because I know it would have been significant to me as a kid to see more examples of people living their lives that way because I didn’t really know it was a possibility for me.”

In addition to writing, directing and starring in “EastSiders” Williamson is the newest cast member of AMC’s “Mad Men” appearing as copywriter Ed Gifford. He can also be seen in the leading role on the hit comedy web series "Hipsterhood," returning for a second season this summer on Blip.Tv as well as viral videos for Funny or Die and Daywalt Fear Factory. Kit's indie film work includes a supporting role in the Slamdance favorite apocalyptic road trip comedy "Best Friends Forever" from director Brea Grant, slated for distribution by Gravitas.
For More Info: eastsiderstheseries.com 

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