Boston Pride 2014 “Be Yourself, Change the World”

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Sylvain Bruni, President of Boston Pride that takes place June 6th thru June 15th. This is the 44th celebration of Boston Pride and this year’s theme is “Be Yourself, Change the World”. The theme encourages our LGBT community to embrace what makes each individual unique and to use those qualities to change the world for the better. Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has been selected as a Grand Marshal of the 2014 Pride Parade this year and The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence were also named as Grand Marshal. John Mitzel was named as Honorary Marshal. Boston Pride kicks off on June 6th with the annual Flag Raising ceremony at City Hall Plaza. Highlighting the week will be Pride Day @ Faneuil Hall, Pride Queeraoke, Pride Night at Fenway Park, the Boston Pride Parade and the Boston Pride Festival with Mary Lambert performing and more. There will also be dance parties including the Pride Youth Dance, the Back Bay Block Party and the JP Block Party. We talked to Sylvain about all the fabulous events happening during Boston Pride and his spin on our LGBT issues.

When asked what his personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights Bruni stated, “My commitment to LGBT civil rights is being involved and taking part in various activities that are done. I really think that it’s upon everyone of us to actually contribute to the community and do whatever we can and to move the community forward and to bring the services, the awareness, the talent, the skills, the competences that we have to make the overall environment better for everyone. Specifically here in terms of civil rights in the work we do with Boston Pride, we think it is very important that we continue to raise awareness about what’s happening outside of the Boston area and beyond the United States around the world. We have for a couple of years held some human rights panels during Pride Week and think it’s an essential component of programming that we offer because a lot of folks here in the community are not necessarily aware that granted there are lots of improvements that need to occur in Boston, in Massachusetts and in the United States, there is also really a lot of work that is needed outside of the country. It is important for people to know about this and participate if they can. So we’re really delighted to offer this kind of programming because for everyone of us at Boston Pride we resonate personally as a commitment to LGBT human rights around the world.”

Sylvain Bruni originally from France was appointed President of the Board of Directors of Boston Pride in January 2014. Sylvain has been involved with Boston Pride since Pride 2004. Bruni was also the co-chair of the 2012 World Conference of InterPride (the International Association of Pride Organizers), held in Boston in October 2012. He is currently the Co-chair of InterPride’s communications committee. Boston Pride is still looking for volunteers to help with this year's Pride Week activities. Volunteers are needed on June 14th for the Pride Parade and Festival, and on June 15th for the Back Bay and Jamaica Plain Block Parties.
For More Info: bostonpride.org

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ESPN Sports Writer Kate Fagan Speaks OUT

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Kate Fagan, a columnist for ESPN and former University of Colorado basketball player about her new must-read memoir “The Reappearing Act”. This timely book addresses sexual identity in the closeted and paranoid world of big-time college sports. We’ve all been following the coming-out stories of male athletes Jason Collins, Michael Sam and recently Derrick Gordon but it’s rare to hear the experience from a lesbian female athlete. Not only did she have to deal with the homophobic culture of college sports but her best friends were part of Colorado’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes where they ran weekly Bible studies at an Evangelical Free Church. Kate actually joined them for nearly a year while she was struggling with her sexual identity even as they prayed for others “living a sinful lifestyle.” In “The Reappearing Act” Fagan shares her personal coming-out story as she embraces her true self. We talked to Fagan about her new book and her spin on our LGBT issues.

When asked what her personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights Fagan stated, “That’s a fine line because I am a member of the media. I’m a columnist and feature writer for ESPN and because of my relationships that I have with folks who do work at the “You Can Play Project” which works to end homophobia in sports and at “Break The Silence” which specifically focus on ending homophobia in women’s sports, I do often get stories about female athletes and male athletes who want to come out and they want me to be the one to tell that story. I think in this day and age in sports that these stories are important and people are interested in them. So it’s actually good business to develop strong relationships with these communities and be able to tell their stories in a sophisticated, mature way and I dance that line of journalism and also wanting to tell these stories in a really strong compassionate way which I think all journalist want to do about any story. But my personal experience of playing women’s college basketball and seeing all of this closeting and fear in all these issues, on a personal level in my own time I do like to support certain groups and speak usually to very small gatherings about women’s sports and how we can tackle some of these issues. So I have a personal commitment to trying the best that I can to help the environment in women’s sports which is where my passion lies because of my personal experience that I write about.”

 Kate Fagan is a columnist and feature writer for espnW, ESPN.com and ESPN: The Magazine. Previously, Fagan spent three seasons covering the 76ers for the Philadelphia Inquirer. Her work was cited in the anthology The Best American Sports Writing 2013 and she has also been featured on Longreads, a site that curates the best in long-form journalism and fiction. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.
For More Info: bykatefagan.com

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Gay Filmmaker Addresses Bullying In New Feature Film

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with filmmaker Kim Rocco Shields of Genius Pictures about her award-winning viral short LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED? that’s about to become a full-length feature. The concept of the film follows the life of an ordinary heterosexual girl who is bullied in a world where everyone is gay. Imagine a world where gay was straight and straight was gay. Challenging our current conception of the terms ‘gay’ and ‘straight’ this controversial film written and directed by Shields reverses not only the meaning of the terms but also addresses the social and cultural prejudices that emerge with hate and bullying. We talked to Rocco about her film project and her spin on our LGBT issues.

When asked what her personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights Shields stated, “My personal commitment to LGBT civil rights is through the power of cinema; we can make a difference and impact the world. I give this lecture at different universities around the United States about how to use media for social change. In short basically we can track media, television, film, as a springboard to represent minority cultures and bring them to public awareness. It was done with the Afro-American community and it’s been done with several other minority communities and the more we can show these people on cinema we can make them less of an other and more of just part of society. So I dream for a day when we see gay characters on TV and the storylines are not about them being gay. I really think that a film like this can really open up people’s eyes and really make them understand because it allows them to put the shoe on the other foot and really walk a mile in LGBT civil rights issues.”

For the first time GLSEN (Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network), considered one of the most revered anti-bullying organizations in the USA, has partnered with independent film company Genius Pictures and Melke Pty Ltd to co-produce this feature length film version of the multiple award winning viral short LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED?. Also the charitable 501c3 organization From The Heart Production will partner GLSEN, Genius and Melke in their Indiegogo crowd-funding campaign that launched May 13th. This is a fabulous opportunity to get involved and help end the LGBT teen bullying epidemic.
For More Info:roccoshields.com
 
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Celebrities & Allies Come Out For LGBT Equality

In this exclusive audio montage Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with celebrities on the Red Carpet at the 25th GLAAD Media Awards in NYC. First we spoke with GLAAD’s CEO & President Sarah Kate Ellis and her wife Kristen Ellis-Henderson. Sarah talks about clearing up the idea that the fight for LGBT equality has been won and how much more work needs to be done to achieve full equality. Next we talked to Derrick Gordon the first out NCAA basketball player about his NBA aspirations and the future of LGBT athletes. Then we talked with transgender model Geena Rocero about how we need to spotlight the “T” in LGBT and launching her “Gender Proud” campaign. We were then joined by Stafford Arima who was there to present George Takei with the Vito Russo Award and chats about directing his upcoming Broadway musical “Allegiance” starring George Takei. New Orleans bounce performer Big Freedia who won the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Reality Program in LA talks about the show’s second season. GLAAD National Spokespersons Omar Sharif, Jr. shared his personal story how GLAAD saved his life and programs he’s involved with to deal with the LGBT teen bullying epidemic. Comedian Fortune Feimster hosted the event and gives us her spin on our LGBT issues. Perez Hilton who was there to see global superstar Kylie Minogue and Grammy Award-winning country music artist Kacey Musgraves perform talks about how fatherhood has changed his life. GLAAD National Spokesperson Wilson Cruz informed us about GLAAD’s current projects addressing southerners’ stories and global initiatives.

Transgender actress Candis Cayne who played Ms. Hudson on “Elementary” (CBS) accepted the Outstanding Individual Episode (in a series without a regular LGBT character) Award on behalf of the show. Reality star Sonja Morgan dished with us about her series “The Real Housewives of New York City” on Bravo TV. Actress Robin Weigert who starred in the film “Concussion” which won Outstanding Film-Limited Release talks about how LGBT equality continues to advance. Then actress Yael Stone from “Orange Is the New Black” which won Outstanding Comedy Series talks about the second season of the show. Tony and Emmy winning actress Swoosie Kurtz opened the show and talks compassionately about our LGBT issues. George Takei who received the 2014 Vito Russo Award talks about how honored he is to be recognized with this award named for one of the founders of GLAAD. George and his husband Brad also talk about their new documentary “Being Takei.”

Boy George who was there to introduce Kylie Minogue gave us his advise to LGBT teens that they should not suffer in silence but reach out. Martial arts fighter Jessica Aguilar was there to represent LGBT athletes with her partner Elena Rodriguez. Out Olympic speed skater Blake Skjellerup was also there to represent LGBT people in sports and talks about the advancements we have made in the last year. Actress Alysia Reiner was there to celebrate her show the fabulous Netflix series “Orange Is the New Black” which is changing hearts and minds about our LGBT community. Next we talked to actor Raúl Castillo who appears in “Looking” on HBO that has been renewed for a second season. We concluded with actress Laverne Cox (Orange Is the New Black) who was honored with GLAAD’s Stephen F. Kolzak Award last month in LA. Laverne talks about how grateful she is for her career and how she wants to create a safe world for her inner child. The 25th Annual GLAAD Media Awards were held at the Waldorf Astoria, New York.
For More Info: glaad.org 

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Jen Foster Her Music & LGBT Equality

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with singer/songwriter Jen Foster about the SHE4ME Marriage Equality PSA that is airing on Logo TV. The 30-second spot features clips from SHE4ME the superb, award-winning marriage equality music video set to a remix of the iconic lesbian anthem “She” by Foster. The song has been a favorite within the lesbian community for over a decade and is often used in commitment ceremonies. Renowned music producer Eve Nelson (Chaka Khan, Nicki Minaj) reworked the song and this fabulous video was directed and produced by the legendary Nicole Conn (Claire Of The Moon, Elena Undone, A Perfect Ending). Foster who makes a cameo appearance in the video also served as executive producer along with Marriage Equality USA and Melke Pty Ltd. We talked to Foster about what she hopes to accomplish with SHE4ME and her spin on our LGBT issues.

When asked what her personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights Foster stated, “My personal commitment is on a personal level. When I first started writing songs in high school I was feeling like an outcast and I was always drawn to the kids that also felt like outcasts. So my personal commitment has always been just to put out music that’s honest about these subjects. I’ve written about bullying; I’ve written about equality but from a very personal level because I don’t think you can preach to people in a very clinical way about that, you have to come from personal experience. So that’s sort of my contribution but I’m definitely committed to it and committed to standing up for the right for everyone to be themselves and to love who they naturally love.”

Jen Foster has a list of musical accomplishments that should leave most artists satisfied but after years of owning her own record label Fosterchild Records, writing and recording four solo projects, touring and playing festivals across the country, writing music for film and television and growing an ardent fan base, she strives for more. Besides her She4ME project that helps support MEUSA, Fosterchild Records has spearheaded several other projects that aligns music with the charitable causes. Foster is passionate about “The Writer’s Share” a songwriter series at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, Tennessee in which she brought together high-profile artist/writers including Richard Marx and Keb’ Mo to raise money and awareness for the TJ Martell Foundation for Cancer, Leukemia and AIDS. In 2013 her “Christmas Time Is Here” video project donated funds for “Hope For Paws” the animal rescue non-profit organization. Foster also serves on the Board of Directors for the Nashville Songwriter’s Association International. Currently Jen is working on a new song entitled “Not So Different” that she hopes to align with a cause and an album to be released in 2014.
For More Info: jenfoster.com
 
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Hit LGBT Series “EastSiders” Announce Second Season

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with actor/producers Kit Williamson and John Halbach about the second season of their hit TV web series “EastSiders” on VIACOM/LOGO. Last season their critically acclaimed dark comedy starred Van Hansis (As the World Turns) and Kit Williamson (Mad Men) as a gay couple struggling through staying together in the aftermath of infidelity. The new season will have exciting new storylines and additions to the cast including Willam Belli (Drag Race, Nip/Tuck), Satya Bhabha (New Girl, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World), Brea Grant (Heroes, Dexter) and Vera Miao (Best Friends Forever) as a lesbian couple. “EastSiders” first season was successfully funded via Kickstarter after reaching their goal within four days. Their second season Kickstarter goal of $125,000 must be met by May 14th or they will not receive any of the funds. We talked to Williamson and John Halbach about “EastSiders” and their spin on our LGBT issues.

When asked what their personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights Halbach stated, “My personal commitment is living a life as an openly gay person. I think that it’s really important that we are visible in the community and to the world and to our family and friends and people who we work with on a day-to-day basis. I think that is ultimately how we can progress our cause. Williamson added, “And also through the storytelling traditions of getting our stories out there online and for me personally, I am from the state of Mississippi and recently Mississippi somewhat quietly in comparison to contention in Arizona passed an anti gay discrimination law. They legalized discrimination against gay people on the grounds of religious belief and there’s a huge campaign going on right now within the state where people are working to promote anti discrimination with a new business coalition of people started in Fondren, which is a really cool neighborhood where I’m from. People are getting stickers and flyers out to businesses to show their support for anti discrimination. Unlike Arizona this bill was signed into law by the Governor, Phil Byrant and we really need to do our best to get the word out nationally about this because Mississippi should experience the same backlash that Arizona experienced when it put this out there. I feel there’s this perception Mississippi is a lost cause that I reject and I really think that we should be focusing on and caring about the LGBT people in Mississippi as much as we cared about them in Arizona.”

“EastSiders” experienced a whirlwind year that included making its cable broadcast debut as a feature film on LogoTV. “EastSiders” won the Indie Series Awards and LA Web Fest. They secured DVD and International VOD distribution from Wolfe Video and released a new web comic. “EastSiders” will begin shooting a second season this summer.
For More Info: eastsiderstheseries.com
 
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AIDS Activist Scott Campbell Speaks OUT

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Scott Campbell, Executive Director of the Elton John AIDS Foundation which has been identified by Funders for LGBTQ Issues as the largest funder of programs for black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and queer individuals. EJAF founder Sir Elton John stated, “We are immensely proud to be recognized by Funders for LGBTQ Issues for our work focused on the needs of black LGBTQ communities. At the Elton John AIDS Foundation, we see the fight for equality for black Americans and LGBTQ people and the effort to achieve a world without AIDS as one and the same, because racism and homophobia are major drivers of the epidemic.” Black Americans represent only 13% of the population but account for 46% of people living with HIV in the United States. We talked to Scott about addressing this alarming statistic and his spin on our LGBT issues.

When asked what his personal commitment is to LGBT equality Campbell stated, “I think that every person should care about each other. Whether that’s in our families, our communities, our societies, we have an obligation to think about others, not just ourselves. I really think that it is the basis of all civil and human rights but I think it’s also interesting to point out that in the US we have a constitution and laws and these provide certain rights and recognition on issues that range from marriage and adoption all the way to protection from violence and recently with the whole discussion on healthcare reform and just healthcare in general, the US has started to define a right to healthcare. The US Supreme Court says that people shouldn’t be discriminated against because of who they love or because of their gender. So to me that’s sort of my perspective on LGBTQ civil rights but civil rights in general. That’s the kind of thing that I would be committed to both personally and certainly on behalf of the Foundation.”

The Elton John AIDS Foundation believes that AIDS can be beaten. They act on that belief by raising funds for effective programs and policies and also by speaking out with honesty and compassion about the realities of people’s lives. Sir Elton John created EJAF over twenty years ago, first in the United States in 1992 and then in the United Kingdom in 1993. The two foundations together have raised more than $300 million over the past two decades to combat stigma, prevent infections, provide treatment services and motivate governments to end AIDS. The U.S. foundation focuses its efforts on programs in the United States, the Americas and the Caribbean, while the U.K. foundation funds HIV-related work in Europe, Asia, and Africa.
 For More Info: ejaf.org

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Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Speak OUT

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with designers Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams about the 25th anniversary of their company. Twenty-five years ago they based their manufacturing in rural North Carolina, the “Buckle of The Bible Belt,” where it remains there today. For decades their bold ad campaigns have frequently included gay and lesbian couples, “alternative” families and sexy models. Though this has caused raised eyebrows and jaws to drop, sales have gone up year after year. The company has been recognized for its innovative campaigns including being honored with the Public Visibility Award at the first GLAAD Media Awards in Advertising. Gold and Williams are celebrating their brand’s 25th year by giving back to 25 communities where their signature stores appear and in a new coffee table book, published by Assouline, which shares 25 of the company’s mantras for success in design, business and life. They also gave us their spin on our LGBT issues.

When asked what their personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights Gold stated, “Well Bob and I living down south starting the factory in 1989 by 1992 when President Clinton was elected, we really first started to see the backlash and the anti LGBT vitriolic talk, especially from religious leaders down south and throughout the country and that really got us involved. When we saw progress on LGBT civil rights go backwards we became involved with the Human Rights Campaign, in Equality North Carolina and several different organizations and we have been very active since then. About eight years ago I cofounded with Reverend Jimmy Creech “Faith In America” which educates people about the harm of religious bigotry to the LGBT community and Bob is on the board and very supportive. So we have a really deep commitment and I would go out and say that of anybody going out to buy home furnishings there is no company that is more on the forefront of not just supporting LGBT advocacy groups and having started one but also supporting candidates that vote for our equal rights.”

Mitchell Gold is also editor of the book “CRISIS: 40 Stories Revealing the Personal, Social and Religious Pain and Trauma of Growing Up Gay in America” and “Youth in Crisis: What Everyone Should Know About Growing Up Gay” that was released in paperback in 2011. Mitchell resides in North Carolina with his spouse, Tim Gold who he married in Des Moines, IA, in June 2010. Bob Williams lives in North Carolina with his partner Stephen Heavner. Their next 25th anniversary celebration will take place in Boston on April 25th to benefit The Pine Street Inn.
For More Info: mgbwhome.com

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New LGBT Beach Party At Tropicana Resort Las Vegas

In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Fred Harmon, Chief Marketing Officer of The New Tropicana Resort in Las Vegas about Xposed! the LGBT Beach Party that’s happening every Saturday 11A to 6P throughout the summer at the all-new Tropicana Beach Club. This sizzling event is produced in association with LA-based event producer Paul Nicholls who runs a multitude of successful weekly events including the popular Stripper Circus franchise with weekly parties in LA, Vegas and San Diego. Partiers attending Xposed! throughout the season will enjoy festivities such as sun-kissed go-go dancers, live entertainment and the hottest DJs spinning all the latest hits while surrounded by the breathtaking waterfalls, palm trees and luxury daybeds and cabanas of the beach club. We talked to Fred about the resort’s LGBT initiatives and his spin on our LGBT issues.

When asked what his personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights Harmon stated, “I believe that LGBT rights are really just human rights because I’m also part of the LGBT community and pretty passionate about the LGBT movement. I think it’s more about not wanting us to be treated special but just wanting us to be treated with the same respect and privileges as everyone else. I guess you could say my personal commitment is just that it’s very personal. I’m a huge supporter of the efforts for equal treatment of all individuals but especially LGBTQ individuals.” On Las Vegas being a gay destination Harmon added, “I think that there’s a misconception about Las Vegas. I think there was a time in our history that people thought Las Vegas was LGBT-friendly just because of the amount of entertainment that was here. Quite honestly that’s not true. We’ve come a long way. You know I’m excited about Xposed! to be able to bring a mainstream venue to the LGBT community on the strip but it’s sad to me that that’s actually news. We’re in 2014 and we’re still working towards the Las Vegas market embracing the LGBT community and the great thing is we’ve taken a lot of strides. There’s a lot to offer the LGBT community to come out and visit us. I think people who have visited in the past would be pleasantly surprised to know the steps that we’ve taken and how much more welcoming the city has become to the LGBT community.”

The New Tropicana Las Vegas recently went through a $200 million transformation. The property has a new and fresh South Beach vibe and recently unveiled their breathtaking Sky Villa Suites. In addition, the Broadway hit MAMMA MIA! is coming to the Tropicana Theater in May and now with Xposed! these are fabulous reasons to make The New Tropicana Las Vegas your next LGBT destination.
For More Info: troplv.com

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