OUTTAKE VOICES™ (Interviews)

Congresswoman Baldwin Update

In this audio excerpt Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis) discusses America’s Affordable Health Choices Act (H.R. 3200) with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson. Baldwin explains the language she successfully added to the health care bill addressing the LGBT community. This is crucial since our LGBT community presently does not have federal rights, benefits and protections for their families. Hear the complete Interview @OUTTAKE VOICES™ Hear 50+ Interviews w/ LGBT Leaders @ OUTTAKE VOICES™

GLAD Makes DOMA History

Lee Swislow, Executive Director of GLAD, the Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, discusses the status of the lawsuit GLAD filed in federal court challenging the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act, DOMA with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson. The suit was filed in March 2009 at the Massachusetts Federal District Court. According to Swislow, GLAD has had its first taste of victory against DOMA. One aspect of the original lawsuit was suing the State Department for refusing to allow Massachusetts legally married gay couples to change their name and marital status on their U.S. passports. This has been resolved and the State Department will now recognize gay marriages in states where they are legal when issuing passports as they do with heterosexual marriages. GLAD’s lawsuit will be amended to reflect this breakthrough placing more emphasis on how legally married gay couples are denied federal income tax credits, employment & retirement benefits, health insurance coverage & Social Security payments. Recently Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government to seek federal marriage benefits for over 16,000 gay and lesbian couples who have legally married in Massachusetts since 2004. When asked how this will effect GLAD’s case Swislow said "it will make their case stronger." Both cases are being heard before the same federal judge and there's a possibility that these cases may be consolidated. When asked if the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) will go before the Supreme Court Swislow said, “I certainly expect that ultimately this case will wind up in front of the Supreme Court. It’s a case of significant national importance.” GLAD has been instrumental in bringing gay marriage to America, first in Massachusetts in 2004 and now totaling 5 New England States including Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Join them for their Summer Party in Provincetown, MA on July 25th. For More Info & Tix: glad.org More Interviews w/ LGBT Leaders @ OUTTAKE VOICES™

Massachusetts vs. the Feds

In this audio excerpt Arline Isaacson, Co Chair of the Massachusetts Gay & Lesbian Political Caucus, discusses the ramifications of the lawsuit Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley has filed against the U.S. government which seeks federal marriage benefits for over 16,000 gay & lesbian couples who have legally married in Massachusetts. The Commonwealth is challenging the constitutionality of the federal 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, saying the law denies "essential rights & protections" to gay couples who have married since Massachusetts became the first state in the nation to legalize gay marriages in 2004. Isaacson who spoke directly with Attorney General Coakley as she historically and courageously became the first Attorney General to take on DOMA shares her first hand account of how this legal maneuver will effect the future of LGBT civil rights in Massachusetts and America. Listen to the Full Audio Interview @ OUTTAKE VOICES™ For 50+ Interviews w/ LGBT Leaders @ OUTTAKE VOICES™

“Assisted Loving” with Bob Morris

In this audio excerpt, Writer/ Author Bob Morris chats about his latest book “Assisted Loving” with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson. This is a moving and hilarious account of how an openly gay man deals with his 80 year old father’s dating life. A few months after the death of his mother Morris’s father approached his son about his desire to reenter the dating scene. At first Morris was appalled but his father explained that “ It just worked so beautifully with your mother for 50 years, that I’d love to do it again…” Morris agrees to help and gets much more then he bargains for. As a contributor to the New York Times Sunday Styles section, Morris has written for the “The New Yorker”, “Travel & Leisure” and has been a commentator on NPR’s “All Things Considered.” “Assisting Loving” is currently in development at NBC. Listen to The Full Interview @ OUTTAKE VOICES™ Listen to More Audio Interviews w/ LGBT Leaders: OUTTAKE VOICES™

Cult Filmmakers on Gay Marriage

In this audio interview excerpt filmmakers: John Waters, Guy Maddin & Robert Lee King discuss gay civil rights in the Obama administration. As an openly gay man, Waters is an avid supporter of gay civil rights. He chats about what he sees for the future of our LGBT community in the Obama administration. Secondly, Writer/Director Guy Maddin who was recently awarded the 2009 Filmmaker on the Edge Award at the Provincetown International Film Festival. Maddin who is heterosexual, is a strong ally to the LGBT community and speaks proudly of his native country Canada’s pro position on gay marriage. (On July 20, 2005, Canada became the fourth country in the world to legalize gay marriage nationwide with the enactment of the Civil Marriage Act.) Thirdly, Writer/Director Robert Lee King. King was recently honored to have his film “Psycho Beach Party” screened as a drive-in feature at the Provincetown International Film Festival, speaking volumes about its durability as a well-loved cult classic. King, based in Hollywood California, addresses our LGBT issues and concerns honestly and eloquently. Hear the full Interview @ OUTTAKE VOICES™