OUTTAKE VOICES™ (Interviews)

Margaret Cho & Gay Civil Rights

Margaret Cho, brilliant actress, hilarious comedian and gay activist talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. Margaret is currently starring in “Drop Dead Diva” on Lifetime and is hitting the road with her brand new tour & CD, “Cho Dependent”. Adam Weinstock of Creative Concept Productions has brought her to Provincetown, Massachusetts where she was Grand Marshal of the Carnival Parade and performing at Vixen through August 24th. Margaret Cho is a native of California so we thought we’d get her spin on the trials and tribulations of Prop 8. When asked what her reaction was to Prop 8 being overturned and found unconstitutional and yet gay couples are still being denied marriage equality, Cho Stated, “I was really excited when Prop 8 was considered unconstitutional but then they decided to have a stay of the marriages and there was an appeal by the opposing groups. I got really angry because it’s not as if this is a small thing. I mean getting married for so many is a life changing event and we are waiting for this right so desperately. Could you imagine if this happened to straight people if a wedding was canceled the day before because it was considered not acceptable somehow by legal standards? It would be unthinkable for a straight bride to have her wedding canceled the day before. I get so angry that this is going on and I want some relief. The back and forth is torture. Why is it ok for them to appeal and we have to wait until December now to be heard again? Why do we have to wait so long? Why can they appeal something two days after it’s decided and we have to wait weeks, months and years? It’s unfair and insane…It’s just so infuriating because they’re going to lose anyways because it’s unconstitutional. That’s the basic truth of it. There’s nothing they can do about it, yet they keep continuing their charade like it’s going to matter later but it’s just making everyone so hateful and angry.” Throughout her career, Margaret has been honored by the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), American Women in Radio and Television, the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF), the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) and PFLAG for making a significant difference in promoting equal rights for all, regardless of race, sexual orientation or gender identity. The “Cho Dependent" CD will be released on August 24 and her tour begins August 26 which is sponsored by Logo. For More Info: www.MargaretCho.com

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“The Raging Skillet”

Celebrity Chef Rossi, owner and executive chef of “The Raging Skillet” one of New York City’s best and wildest caterers talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. As a celebrity chef Rossi’s events have satisfied many illustrious guests, including Bill Clinton, Glenn Close, Whoopi Goldberg, Rosie Perez, Cher, and Susan Sarandon. We caught up with Chef Rossi in Provincetown, Massachusetts just after California’s discriminatory gay marriage law Prop 8 was overturned and found unconstitutional. Chef Rossi caters a lot of weddings in New York. Recently Chelsea Clinton was married there and her event planner was an openly gay man. New York does not support marriage equality. When asked what her thoughts were about that, Rossi stated, “It’s so sad. New York has always been the hippest capital of the world. I have always been so proud to be the quintessential New Yorker…But now it’s just ever so slightly embarrassing. We are no longer the hip capital of the world. We are really trailing. For me as a wedding caterer it’s a bit bittersweet because I spend a lot of time helping wonderful people make their dreams come true. And I cater gay weddings of course all the time but it makes me feel sad that as a gay American in New York our dreams cannot quite come true. At least not in New York.” As a writer, Rossi has been a feature writer for several publications, such as “The Daily News,” “Time Out New York” and “The New York Post.” Her column “Eat Me” has appeared in “Bust Magazine” for 11 years and running. Rossi’s book of edible memoirs entitled “The Devil and Mrs. Goldstein" is seeking a publisher. She is also the founder of the “Artist’s Room” in the Lower East side of New York City where her show “Cherry” is currently on view. She's been called “a new breed of rebel anti-caterer” by the “The New York Times,” and “eclectic and off the wall” by the Zagats review. She has also been featured on “The Food Network.” As a radio personality Rossi’s hit show “Bite This” on Cape Cod’s WOMR is now in its 6th season and she has also appeared on NPR's "The Takeaway". For More Info: theragingskillet.com

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“Stork, M.I.A.” (missing in action)

Sandro Isaack, children's book writer  talks  about his latest book “Stork, M.I.A.” (missing in action) with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. The book follows the story of Dad and Dad, who were tired of waiting for the Stork and decided to find her to ask for a baby. They search for the Stork around the world, turning this story into an adventure, rather than a didactic book for children of same-gender couples. Census data shows that 25% of same-gender couples in the U.S. are raising children and in more progressive countries the percentage is even greater. Sandro explains that most of these children are reading from books with "borrowed" universes. In his “Dad Dad Mom Mom” upcoming series of children's books Sandro intends to create a universe for these children - their own universe in which the main characters happen to be same-gender couples and their kids. When asked what his personal commitment was to LGBT civil rights Isaack stated, “I like to think that my book is my commitment because my book talks about family and I think it is important for people and the (LGBT) community to know and be reminded that there is a possibility of family. It is not just an idea or a dream for the future. It is something happening now. There is even a children’s book market out there now that reminds us how real it is. For so long being gay and out relied on partying and being fabulous which is great. You know it gives us this amazing character and personality that makes us unique. But at the same time this is the new way of having a family. It stops being news or something online, it becomes something in their lives that might be some incentive to educate themselves and communicate. I feel through education and communication that brings a community closer together and gives us the strength we need to achieve what we need to achieve and what we deserve.” Sandro Isaack is a native of Brazil. He came to the U.S. in 1999 and in 2002 obtained his masters degree in performance from the American Repertory Theatre at Harvard. After graduation, Isaack moved to New York where he pursued his career in acting. However, Isaack’s career came to a halt in early 2008, when his vocal chords and neck became temporarily paralyzed for a period that lasted a year. As everything happens for a reason, his true passion in storytelling was born. “STORK M.I.A.” is his first book in a series of children stories he wants to tell. Sandro recently appeared in Provincetown, Massachusetts during “Family Week” July 31st- August 7th and read from his book. For More Info : DadDadMomMom.com

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