Filmmaker Cindy L. Abel, Colonel Patsy Thompson and Barbara Brass talk about their documentary “Surviving The Silence” with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. In 1992 Colonel Thompson was a decorated Army nurse just two years away from her retirement after serving her country for over thirty years from conflict zones to working inside the Pentagon. At this trajectory of her career she was asked to preside over the military review board that eventually dismissed Colonel Margarethe Cammermeyer for admitting she was a lesbian. For Thompson that trial was perhaps the hardest assignment in her long military career because she had to confront her own moral dilemma that she too was a lesbian and living privately with her life partner Barbara Brass for many years. After Colonel Cammermeyer’s dismissal she became a vocal opponent of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and eventually was reinstated thanks to Colonel Thompson’s handling of her military trial. This underlying story remained a secret until 2013 when Thompson and her now wife Barbara Brass decided to go public for the very first time at a college speaking engagement in Northern California. Much to their delight the speech received a resounding standing ovation empowering them to continue their journey as out and proud lesbians who are visibly committed to using their unique life experience in pursuit of social justice and activism. We asked Filmmaker Cindy L. Abel, Colonel Patsy Thompson and Barbara Brass what they hope to accomplish with “Surviving The Silence” and their spin on our LGBTQ issues.
Filmmaker Cindy L. Abel formed Atlantis Moon Productions to develop projects that launch conversations and impact popular culture. She directed and produced the award-winning “Breaking Through” a documentary in which openly LGBTQ elected officials share their stories of self-doubt and triumph over multiple barriers, revealing a deeply personal, rarely seen side of LGBTQ politicians. Colonel Patsy Thompson’s journey from Troy, North Carolina to nursing school and then a distinguished military career led her to navigate living her life on her own terms. Barbara Brass as the daughter of Holocaust survivors and a pacifist is proud of Thompson’s ascension in the military while also feeling angry that they needed to be silent and invisible to protect her career. Currently they are all working hard to stop the hate in this country and get out the vote for the upcoming 2020 presidential election to protect our democracy. “Surviving The Silence” directed by Cindy L. Abel and produced by Marc Smolowitz with soundtrack provided by Denise Gentilini.
For More Info: survivingthesilence.com
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Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson Hosts Intimate Chats w/ Global LGBTQ Leaders & Their Allies
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Monday Nov 09, 2020
Monday Nov 09, 2020
Kent Ian Paterson a producer at KUNM-FM in Albuquerque, New Mexico talks to Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ about her early years as a Progressive Rock DJ that kicked off her broadcasting career. Paterson contacted Robinson in August about a history he was compiling at KUNM to celebrate the station’s 54th anniversary. Once it was confirmed she was the same person that worked at KUNM back in the early 1970s the conversations began. When asked how she originally came to the University of New Mexico in 1969 and became involved with KUNM Robinson stated, “I went to UNM because they listed available courses in Radio & TV but when I got there I found out that those classes wouldn’t be offered for a few years. So I answered an ad on KUNM-FM looking for 'chicks to sharpen pencils'. When I applied they suggested I get my FCC license so I did. When I returned with my license they gave me a weekly shift on Thursdays from 1A to 3A. At the time UNM women had a 12 Midnight curfew and men did not. So the ACLU got involved and the curfew was lifted. I guess that was my first experience in the fight for equality.” It was the beginning of the Women’s Movement who adopted Charlotte as a role model because of the ACLU curfew resolve. Paterson added, “You and the other women who were at KUNM 50 years ago were trailblazers. Women became much more prominent at KUNM after the mid 1970s. The station's first female manager served from 1974 to 1976.” We then talked about how Robinson’s KUNM experience led her to her stellar career in broadcasting breaking the glass ceiling for women at WCVB-TV in Boston and then on to ABC, NBC and CBS TV Networks in New York, NY.
Charlotte Robinson launched OUTTAKE MEDIA LLC in 2007 and OUTTAKE VOICES™ in 2008 with over 500 podcast episodes that include Alan Ball, Ricky Martin, Senator Tammy Baldwin, Rep Barney Frank, Kyra Sedgwick, Kathleen Turner, John Waters, Dustin Lance Black, Tab Hunter, Sharon Gless, Loni Anderson and comedian Margaret Cho to name a few. Ms. Robinson was honored by the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition with the 2018-2019 MBCC Appreciation Award for providing a voice for hundreds of LGBTQ+ organizations and allies including MBCC. Currently Charlotte has partnered with Nicole Conn Films Global and serves on the Board of Women in Film and Video New England. Kent Ian Paterson is an independent journalist who covers issues in the U.S./Mexico border region. He was a 2017 fellow in the Journalist in Aging Fellowship Program sponsored by the Gerontological Society of America and New America Media.
Monday Oct 26, 2020
Monday Oct 26, 2020
Robin Hopkins and Jaimie Kelton talk with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ about their new book “If These Ovaries Could Talk: The Things We’ve Learned About Making An LGBTQ Family.” In part one of the book Robin and Jaimie cover topics on how you make your LGBTQ family from choosing an egg donor, sperm donor or surrogate to adoption and foster care. Part two of the book covers everything from growing up with gay parents to being out as a family and from talking to your kids about their LGBTQ family to the legalese of LGBTQ families. “If These Ovaries Could Talk: The Things We’ve Learned About Making An LGBTQ Family” is an amazing and humorously in-depth journey that is equal parts funny, serious, happy, sad, celebratory, cautionary and powerful. You’ll learn a lot and laugh even more along the way. Robin and Jaimie met at a Pride Family Picnic with their wives and kids in tow. That’s when then-pregnant Jaimie pitched Robin the idea to make a podcast about LGBTQ families. From doing their award-winning podcast “If These Ovaries Could Talk” they realized the world needed to know there was more than one way to make an LGBTQ family. The book is based on dozens of interviews full of insights and stories addressing recurring questions that came up during their podcast. Robin and Jaimie share their separate personal fertility journeys and their parenting adventures as the book shines a spotlight on all the different ways nontraditional families are made. We talked to Robin and Jaimie about their inspiration for writing “If These Ovaries Could Talk: The Things We’ve Learned About Making An LGBTQ Family” and their spin on our LGBTQ issues.
Robin Hopkins is an award-winning actor, writer, producer and podcast host. She began her career as a stand-up comic in New York City performing regularly at Caroline’s, Comic Strip Live, Gotham Comedy Club and Stand-Up New York. Her acting credits include Boardwalk Empire, Louie, Hindsight and Mi America. Jaimie Kelton is an award-winning actor, voiceover artist, producer and podcast host based in New York City. She has over 17 years of experience performing on stages in New York City, in Regional Theaters and on National Tours. Her voice can also be heard in Disney’s hit cartoon, The Octonauts (Tweak, Pinto, Twinkle the Sea Star), Amazon’s Bug Diaries (Scarlet Lily Beetle, Ant Leader) and Fairy Tale Forest (Gaby). Their mission with “If These Ovaries Could Talk” is to normalize, elevate and celebrate LGBTQ families confirming they’re just like other families.
Wednesday Oct 14, 2020
Wednesday Oct 14, 2020
Cheryl Osimo, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ about the 23rd anniversary of their premier fundraising event the Lesbians and Friends LGBTQ Dance Party For Prevention that takes place virtually on October 24th from 7P to 9P via Zoom. This year MBCC will feature a special guest appearance and award presentation to long-time environmental activist, comedian and actress Lily Tomlin. The MBCC Environmental Activist Award will be presented to Ms. Tomlin in acknowledgment of her passion and work on many environmental issues. Osimo stated, “We are constantly inspired by trailblazers like Ms. Tomlin who have fearlessly and relentlessly paved the way of putting the greater good of our planet and families first. Including her in MBCC’s history of individuals dedicated to making a positive impact in the world is thrilling news.” The online event will also include laughs with guest comedian Karen Williams and dance lessons with OUT to Dance's Liz Nania where you can learn to dance the cha-cha, rhumba, salsa or merengue with no partner needed. DJ Shelly Cullen will be spinning the tunes throughout the virtual event with a Silent Auction that will run from October 17th through October 24th. MBCC is the only breast cancer non-profit working closely with a research and sister organization Silent Spring Institute to investigate preventable environmental causes of the disease. This work is funded through annual fundraising events like the upcoming virtual Lesbians and Friends LGBTQ Dance Party For Prevention. We talked to Cheryl about what she hopes to accomplish with her work at MBCC and her spin on our LGBTQ issues.
Cheryl Osimo is a fierce LGBTQ ally and devoted breast cancer activist and advocate since 1991 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 41. She has been a catalyst in raising public awareness of the possible environmental links to breast cancer. Her commitment to breast cancer prevention and awareness benefits women worldwide. MBCC is currently working on crucial national health projects to address environmental causes of breast cancer including water testing and how PFAS enters groundwater from firefighting foams, wastewater and other pollution sources as well as their impacts on children’s health. The studies will also assess PFAS exposure on a range of health effects including immune response, kidney function, thyroid disease, liver disease, glycemic parameters, diabetes and neurobehavioral outcomes. Funds raised from the Lesbians and Friends LGBTQ Dance Party For Prevention will help support MBCC's community education programs and their local and national work toward breast cancer prevention. Tickets to attend the virtual event for adults are on a sliding scale of $15, $30, or $45 with tickets for students $10.
Tuesday Sep 29, 2020
Tuesday Sep 29, 2020
Rea Carey, Executive Director of the National LGBTQ Task Force talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ about their upcoming virtual events and how The Task Force is adjusting to the new normal in these challenging times with the COVID-19 pandemic. To begin with the 24th annual National LGBTQ Task Force Gala will stream virtually on Saturday October 3rd beginning at 8P EST in lieu of the customary gala held in Miami Beach, FL. This year’s theme is “The Power of US” which will focus on celebrating progress for LGBTQ people and their families. It will also emphasize the critical work of the National LGBTQ Task Force as they work to ensure that our LGBTQ community is counted through their “Queer the Census” campaign and the critical need to "Queer the Vote" in the upcoming election. The National LGBTQ Task Force Gala online event will be hosted by Latrice Royale of RuPaul’s Drag Race fame and the evening will include video messages from Pete Buttigieg, Alan Cumming, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Shultz, Sam Champion, Jai Rodriguez of the original “Queer Eye” cast and George Takei among others to be announced. The National Task Force Gala virtual event will also be more accessible nationally and globally for supporters and members of the Task Force family with no fixed ticket price this year so any donation will get you in and tables are not limited to just 10 people with the virtual table host feature there’s no limit to the number of guests at a given table. So put on your tux or your sweatpants and join in the fun that will help support this fabulous organization. Then following the gala the next virtual events will be the “Queering Racial Justice Institute” on October 10th, 2020 and the Creating Change Conference from January 27th to 31st, 2021. We talked to Rea about what she hopes to accomplish with the upcoming virtual events and her spin on our LGBTQ issues.
Rea Carey is one of the most respected leaders in our LGBTQ movement. Since 2008 through her leadership Carey has advanced a vision of freedom for LGBTQ people and their families that is broad, inclusive and progressive. The National LGBTQ Task Force is building a future where everyone can be free to be their entire selves in every aspect of their lives. Today despite all the progress they’ve made to end discrimination millions of LGBTQ people face barriers in every aspect of their lives in housing, employment, healthcare, retirement and basic human rights. By training and mobilizing millions of activists across our nation and fundraising events like the National LGBTQ Task Force Gala they are committed to deliver a world where you can be you.
For More Info & Tix: thetaskforce.org
Wednesday Sep 09, 2020
Thursday Aug 20, 2020
Thursday Aug 20, 2020
Jason Stuart and Mitch Hara talk with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ about their new must-watch comedy series “Smothered” currently available on Amazon Prime. With everything that’s happening in the world right now “Smothered” brings much needed comedic relief with a thirty-minute binge session of seven, five-minute episodes of outrageous, irreverent and laugh out loud bliss. Jason Stuart (The Birth Of A Nation) and Mitch Hara (Mutant Olive) have co-written, co-starred and co-produced this series about a longtime gay couple that cannot stand each other but can’t afford to get divorced. They decided to attempt to save their relationship by navigating their way through couple’s therapy. As the series unfolds through their uninhibited and often shocking therapy sessions, viewers discover how the couple of twenty years outrageously nit-pick and push each other’s buttons. Guest stars appearing as assorted brands of therapists include Dalila Ali Rajah (Criminal Minds), Erik Audé (American Sniper), Clent Bowers (Little Fockers), Erika Ervin (American Horror Story), Helen Hong (Silicon Valley), Scott Krinsky (Chuck), Pancho Moler (Ray Donovan) and Carole Ita White (Laverne & Shirley). “Smothered” is directed by Terri Hanauer (Sweet Talk) and won the Audience Award for Best Series in the International Film Festivals in Spain, Paris, Amsterdam and Berlin. We talked to Jason and Mitch about what they hope to accomplish with their hysterical comedy series “Smothered” and their spin on our LGBTQ issues.
Jason Stuart is one of the most prolific character actors who’s also an outrageous openly gay stand-up comedian. With over 150 credits his film work includes “The Birth Of A Nation” “Tangerine”, “Love Is Strange”, “Gia”, “Kindergarten Cop” and “Vegas Vacation” among his fan favorites. His TV work has wowed audiences with guest roles on such shows as “Sleepy Hollow”, “Entourage”, “The Closer”, “It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia”, “House”, “Everybody Hates Chris” and “Will & Grace” among others.
For More Info: jasonstuart.com
Mitch Hara is an actor/writer/director who joined the acclaimed Actors Studio when he was just 19. Mitch won Best Actor Award for his portrayal of Sister Coco Call-Me- Ishmael, a mental-patient-drag-queen-nun. He also co- wrote and directed Joe Manganiello in “One Night Stand.” Hara’s award-winning solo show “Mutant Olive” is playing to sold out houses in Beverly Hills, NYC, Chicago, London with rave reviews.
For More Info: smotheredtv.com
Thursday Aug 06, 2020
Thursday Aug 06, 2020
Actor and philanthropist Phillip Keene best known as 'Buzz Watson' the tech savvy member of LAPD's exclusive squad on TNT's hit drama franchise "The Closer" and spin-off "Major Crimes" talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ about his work with Project Wingman USA a COVID-19 charitable initiative mobilizing volunteers from the travel industry to support frontline health care heroes with pop-up lounges in hospitals. First launched with great success in the UK Project Wingman creates an area in hospitals where staff can come in before, during or after shifts to decompress, switch off and be looked after by uniformed aircrew for the duration of their break. Project Wingman crew volunteers provide snacks and refreshments as well as much needed sympathetic support having a shared experience of working in a highly disciplined, regulated and stressful environment. The lounges are located in a secluded, non-patient facing environment and the hospitals provide the volunteers with personal protective equipment such as facemasks and gloves. Keene a licensed pilot and once Pan Am flight attendant jumped on board when approached about the crucial need for Project Wingman programs and volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic to help support the hospital frontline workers including doctors, nurses and staff working to save coronavirus patients. We talked to Phillip about his philanthropic work, LGBTQ representation in Hollywood and his spin on our LGBTQ issues.
Phillip's love for his past career with Pan Am never faded and he has amassed one of the largest collections of the airline's iconic memorabilia. Since he began collecting in 1996 his collection has grown to over 3,500 pieces and includes matchboxes, posters, uniforms and tableware. Keene lives in California with long-time husband of 27 years James Duff creator of TNT's "Major Crimes” and "The Closer" and they are currently developing a new comedy series.
For More Info: projectwingmanusa.com
Saturday Jul 11, 2020
Saturday Jul 11, 2020
Shannon Minter, Legal Director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ about his work with “Born Perfect” to end conversion therapy. NCLR launched “Born Perfect” in 2014 to protect LGBTQ children and young people by fighting in courtrooms to ensure their safety and raising awareness about the serious harms caused by these dangerous practices. Their efforts have led to banning conversion therapy in 20 states and over 70 municipalities in the United States. For over 20 years NCLR has been working to protect LGBTQ youth from these horrific practices by working with legislators and LGBTQ leaders in dozens of states to help bring similar protections to the rest of the country. They believe that every LGBTQ child is born perfect and that any young person’s identity as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender should be honored, celebrated and supported. “Born Perfect” is also led by Mathew Shurka, Co-Founder and Chief Strategist who is a survivor of conversion therapy when at 16 years old his father took him to a licensed therapist who claimed he could make gay people straight. It was the start of years of cruel and damaging “therapy” that left Mathew estranged from his family and his own identity. He then decided to take action posting his personal story on YouTube where it went viral. It was the start of his journey to forgive his father and therapist, reconcile with his family and lead a nationwide battle to end conversion therapy. We talked to Shannon about what he hopes to accomplish with “Born Perfect”, his reaction to the historic U. S. Supreme Court ruling that prohibits workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity and his spin on our LGBTQ issues.
Shannon Minter is one of the nation’s leading advocates for LGBTQ people. Minter was lead counsel for the landmark California marriage equality case which held that gay and lesbian couples have the fundamental right to marry and that laws that discriminate based on sexual orientation are inherently discriminatory and subject to the highest level of constitutional scrutiny. Shannon was named a California Lawyer of the Year in 2009 by California Lawyer. He also received the Dan Bradley Award from the National Gay and Lesbian Bar Association for outstanding work in marriage cases and was the recipient of the Cornell Law School Exemplary Public Service Award in 2008. In the United States over 700,000 people have been through conversion therapy. Through “Born Perfect” Mathew Shurka and Minter are working with legislators and LGBTQ leaders to end these dangerous and stigmatizing practices everywhere. For Info: bornperfect.org
For More Info: nclrights.org
Thursday Jun 25, 2020
Thursday Jun 25, 2020
Matthew Todd, UK writer-journalist talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ about his exquisite new coffee table book “PRIDE: The Story Of The LGBTQ Equality Movement” published by Weldon Owen. The book documents the milestones in our fight for global LGBTQ equality from before Stonewall to the victories of activists over the last five decades that have led to the gradual acceptance of LGBTQ people in politics, sports and the media. It also chronicles the winning landmark court cases including marriage equality and significant legislation that have furthered our basic civil rights. This pictorial and wide-reaching text takes you on a journey covering key figures, heroes, notable moments, events and breakthroughs in a wealth of rare images and documents as well as providing moving essays from vital witnesses throughout our modern day movement. Though we still have a long way to go to achieve full equality, “PRIDE: The Story Of The LGBTQ Equality Movement” is a unique and comprehensive account of the ongoing challenges facing our LGBTQ community and a celebration of civil rights that have been won for many of us as a result of the sacrifices and passion of this mass movement. The book includes personal testimonies from many relevant activists and allies including Judy Shepard mother of Matthew Shepard, legendary photographer Nan Goldin, Reverend Troy Perry founder of the Metropolitan Community Church, novelist playwright essayist Darryl Pinckney, Jake Shears of The Scissor Sisters, activist and former Pride Award-winner Jonathan Blake, New Zealand politician Georgina Beyer the world’s first openly transgender Mayor and transgender member of Parliament, Deborah Brin one of the world’s first openly gay Rabbis and many more. We talked to Todd about his passion and inspiration for creating “PRIDE: The Story Of The LGBTQ Equality Movement” and his spin on our LGBTQ issues.
Matthew Todd is a multi award winning writer and previous editor of “Attitude” a British gay lifestyle magazine from 2008 to 2016. His first book "Straight Jacket - Overcoming Society's Legacy of Gay Shame" was shortlisted for the Polari Prize in 2017 and was voted winner of the Boyz LGBT Book of the Year Award. His play “Blowing Whistles” has been performed in the UK, Australia and the United States. Todd’s fabulous new work “PRIDE: The Story Of The LGBTQ Equality Movement” (Weldon Owen) is currently available online and in stores.
For More Info: matthewtodd.net
Tuesday Jun 16, 2020
Tuesday Jun 16, 2020
Equality Florida hosted a virtual Town Hall with Black LGBTQ leaders in response to a rash of attacks that have claimed Black lives including the brutal killing of George Floyd by white police officers in Minneapolis. The Black LGBTQ leaders included Alphonso David, Human Rights Campaign President, Michele Rayner, Civil Rights Attorney who represented the McGlockton family following the murder of Markeis, Imani Rupert-Gordon, National Center for Lesbian Rights Executive Director, Andrea Jenkins, Minneapolis City Council Vice President and moderated by Nadine Smith, Equality Florida Executive Director. The Town Hall came after more than 500 LGBTQ organizations from across the country signed onto a letter condemning racial violence and committing to the fight against it. This important dialogue also comes on the heels of the murders of seven Black transgender women in Florida in less than two years, the shooting of Ahmaud Arbery by white vigilantes in Georgia and the weaponizing of race by a white woman against Christian Cooper a Black gay man bird watching in New York City’s Central Park and the disturbing questions raised in the recent police shooting death of Tony McDade a Black transgender man in Tallahassee. All the leaders during the Town Hall also addressed the fact that since 2013 over 170 transgender women and men have been murdered in this country with over 70% being of color. This is another stark reminder of the need for all civil right leaders who are speaking out against systemic racism and hate violence claiming Black lives must be LGBTQ inclusive.
Nadine Smith, Equality Florida Executive Director has been named one of Florida’s "Most Powerful and Influential Women" by the Florida Diversity Council. She has received the League of Women Voter's Woman of Distinction Award and in 2018 was named one of the 100 Most Influential Floridians by Influence Magazine. She currently serves as chair of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Florida Advisory Committee. She lives in St. Petersburg with her wife Andrea and son Logan. Equality Florida is the largest civil rights organization dedicated to securing full equality for Florida’s LGBTQ community. Through education, grassroots organizing, coalition building and lobbying they are changing Florida so that no one suffers harassment or discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity.