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Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson Hosts Intimate Chats w/ Global LGBTQ Leaders & Their Allies
Episodes
Monday Apr 10, 2017
Monday Apr 10, 2017
Filmmaker C. Fitz and LGBTQ pioneer Jewel Thais-Williams talk to Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ about their documentary “Jewel's Catch One”. The film tells the story of Jewel Thais-Williams and her legendary “Jewel’s Catch One” nightclub often referred to as the Studio 54 of the West. It was a hub for cutting edge fashion and music for over 42 years in LA before it closed last year. When Jewel opened her club in 1972 to all races and sexual orientations the club became a target of racism and homophobia especially during the AIDS crisis. She even turned her parking lot into a soup kitchen during that time to make sure people could get care when so many were being ostracized. Jewel became a civil rights leader and then ultimately a healer who has now saved countless lives through her Village Healthcare Foundation. The film is narrated by CCH Pounder and features exclusive interviews with Sharon Stone, Evelyn “Champagne” King, Thelma Houston, Sandra Bernhard, Bonnie Pointer, Thea Austin, Jenifer Lewis and more as well as fabulous vintage footage that includes Madonna’s 2000 album release party where it was rumored that she learned to Vogue at the club. We talked to Fitz and Jewel about their inspirational must-see documentary and their spin on our LGBTQ issues.
When asked how she sees our LGBTQ community moving forward in a Trump administration Jewel stated, “United and on all fronts I feel is the key to it as well as being supportive of other groups. I think that we saw during the Civil Rights Protests and Campaign embrace every aspect of the human conditions and so we had folks joining from various and slightly different groups to support that cause and I feel if we can get that kind of support around our LGBTQ issues and we’re finding hope with millennials. We see them protesting things like “Black Lives Matter’ and they might be Asian, Indian and Caucasian, whatever, this is the kind of support we need to face anything that is happening politically to us now. We all have to join together every facet of our Americana especially those people that are being discriminated against and of course we’re one of the main ones of that. If we all come together there’s power in numbers.”
Filmmaker C. Fitz met Jewel after volunteering to direct a 3-minute short for charity and realized there was a much greater story to tell. She has spent the last six years bringing “Jewel's Catch One” a labor of love and inspiration to fruition. Fitz is also a television and marketing veteran who through her creative agency “Dancing Pictures” has worked with many clients including HBO, Pepsi, FOX, Disney and Showtime where she has conceptualized and produced hundreds of international and domestic broadcast and social media campaigns. Early in her career Fitz was the producer behind the launch of the BRAVO series, “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” where she helped introduce the ground-breaking new format as an international brand. In the late 1990’s Jewel Thais-Williams at age 56, driven by an overwhelming need to make a difference, enrolled in Samra University of Oriental Medicine and received a Master of Science degree. She went on to pass the state and national boards and is currently a Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist at her new clinic at 4077 Pico Boulevard in Los Angeles, California under the same name Village Health Foundation.
For More Info: jewelscatchonedocumentary.com
Tuesday Mar 28, 2017
Tuesday Mar 28, 2017
James Nadeau, Executive Director of Wicked Queer Boston’s LGBT Film Festival which is celebrating its 33rd year and runs from March 30th to April 9th talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. There are over 120 features and shorts participating in this year’s film festival. Opening night on Thursday March 30th takes place at the Institute of Contemporary Art at 8P with the screening of “Signature Move” fresh off its World Premiere at South by Southwest Film Festival. The film is about thirty-something immigration attorney Zaynab played with wry humor by out Pakistani, Muslim actor Fawzia Mirza who is balancing her work, love life and taking care of her conservative TV-obsessed mother. A drunken night with the bold and assertive Alma played by the fantastically charismatic Sari Sanchez last seen on the Fox Network’s “Empire”, leads Zayneb to question just how to come to terms with her mom, her love life and her new found obsession with Lucha-style wrestling. Sari Sanchez and director Jennifer Reeder will be present for the opening night film to be followed by an after-party with complimentary hors d'oeuvres at Empire Restaurant and Lounge. “Signature Move” is co-presented by The South Asian Arts Council and Queer Muslims of Boston. We talked to James about the importance of the Wicked Queer Film Festival in the current political climate and his spin on our LGBT issues.
When asked how he sees our LGBTQ community moving forward in a Trump administration Nadeau stated, “What I’m seeing within the filmmaking community is that it’s really sparked an activism that I haven’t seen in a really longtime. For those of us who are of the generation who grew up with friends dying of AIDS I think we’re seeing a resurgence of political activism in the community that is not about to give up the freedoms we fought for which I find very heartening. It’s clearly in reaction to Trump and I think that’s a good thing. I think we need to get fired up and be a more active, politically active community.”
James Nadeau has been a part of the Wicked Queer Film Festival since 2000. He has also programmed films for the Provincetown International Film Festival, The Rhode Island International Film Festival and at galleries and art spaces in the Boston area. His video work has screened internationally. He is currently a lecturer on film in the Literature Department at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and part time faculty in the Art History Department of Lesley University's College of Art and Design where he teaches the history of the moving image. Wicked Queer Boston’s LGBT Film Festival will be presenting 11 days of the year's best LGBTQ films. There will be lots of special events and opportunities to meet the filmmakers. This year will provide a chance to attend film premieres and mix and mingle throughout the 33rd annual festival. There are a variety of feel-good romances to hard-hitting documentaries bringing festival attendees another fabulous year of world-class programming. Wicked Queer is proudly presented by Showtime Network.
For Info & Tix: wickedqueer.org
Friday Mar 10, 2017
Friday Mar 10, 2017
Reuben M. Reynolds III, Music Director of the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™about their upcoming shows March 18th at 8P and March 19th at 3P entitled “Let’s Hear It For The Boys” at New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall in Boston, Massachusetts. “Let’s Hear It For The Boys” is a raucous revue saluting generations of pop music’s pretty boys from the Beatles to Pharrell Williams along with rock radio staples like David Bowie, Journey, Queen and Coldplay. Now in their 35th year with more than 150 members Boston Gay Men’s Chorus is the ultimate boy band paying tribute to the artists and bands that shaped us all. BGMC will put its unique stamp on classics like the Beatles’ “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” “I Get Around” by the Beach Boys, David Bowie’s “Life on Mars” and the Jackson 5’s “The Love You Save.” The Chorus will also perform hits by disco-era gay icons The Village People, the late legend George Michael, 1990’s heartthrobs NSYNC and more recent chart-topping boy bands One Direction and A Great Big World in addition to other surprises. We talked to Reuben about the importance of the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus in the current political climate and his spin on our LGBT issues.
When asked how he sees our LGBTQ community moving forward in a Trump administration, Reynolds stated, “Several years ago we went to the Middle East. We took the chorus to Istanbul and to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. We had a wonderful concert lined up in Istanbul and then all of a sudden the government basically told us we weren’t welcomed there. They canceled the concert and it was horrifying to be told you’re not welcomed here but a private university said their gay and lesbian group said please we would like to host you instead. So we wound up performing in a much bigger venue for 5,000 people. Then next morning we were to march in the gay pride parade in Istanbul. When we got there, we were met by police with riot guns who said that we should turn around and leave immediately because the pride parade had been canceled. It’s the kind of thing that somehow in the back of your mind you think this happened 30 years ago in America and here it was happening to us right now. We had young members of the chorus who never experienced anything like this. But it brings to mind that there’s always a fight going on. Sometimes we get too complacent and then bam, here it is again. Well we all know what we have done in the past. We have fought those fights and will fight whatever needs to be fought today. We will stand up. We will not bow down to anyone. Trump is no problem; it’s just another step in our progression forward. We will always stand up for who we are and what we are.”
Reuben M. Reynolds III has been the Music Director of the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus for 20 years. The BGMC creates musical experiences that inspire change, build community and celebrate difference. Since its founding in 1982 the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus has infused itself into the LGBTQ community of Boston. It has also reached out beyond that community into the political, social and arts arenas. As a staunch supporter of LGBTQ causes, BGMC has distinguished itself by performing for every major AIDS service organization in the Boston area and has created innovative collaborations with organizations including Greater Boston PFLAG, GLSEN Boston, AIDS Action Committee and more. BGMC was also an active participant in the marriage equality movement becoming a role model for other choruses throughout the world. (Photo by Michael Willer)
For More Info & Tix: bgmc.org
Friday Mar 03, 2017
Friday Mar 03, 2017
Mariah Hanson, founder and producer of the legendary Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend that’s in its 27th year and takes place in Palm Springs, California from March 29th to April 2nd talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. For over a quarter century Mariah Hanson has not only been delivering epic good times to lesbians but has also continuously been moving the needle forward with her ongoing commitment to amplifying, championing and celebrating women’s voices and talent with The Dinah. The growth and longevity of this worldwide cultural phenomenon event is even more astonishing and remarkable at a time when lesbian bars, spaces, festivals and publications are rampantly vanishing all across the country. This is why now more than ever events like The Dinah are necessary to reconnect our community. The Dinah is entirely produced by women for women and that is a powerful statement in today’s political climate. Kicking off at the close of Women’s History month on March 29th and wrapping up on Sunday, April 2nd the Dinah 2017 will celebrate and honor the trailblazing women in the Arts, Sports and Entertainment industry who have achieved historic firsts. We talked to Mariah about all the festivities planned for this year’s Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend and her spin on our LGBTQ issues.
When asked how she sees our LGBTQ community moving forward in a Trump administration Hanson stated, “We have to move forward in the current administration very strategically. I think that we need to move forward collectively across all platforms. I don’t think anyone currently, any individual group knows how to preserve their civil liberties better than the LGBTQ community because that’s what we have been doing for the past fifteen years of my life so we’ve gotten really good at it and I think that we really should take a leadership role, but I don’t think it should be just about LGBTQ at this point. I think it should be about protecting the civil liberties of all Americans. Funding is being yanked from so many organizations; transgender youth are being attacked; Muslims are being attacked; African Americans are being attacked; Mexican Americans are being attacked; so I think we need to be collective and strategic going forward. I think this movement has become a movement of people, of Americans who want to protect what our democracy is based on.”
The incredibly inspiring women slated to perform at The Dinah in 2017 include world surf champion now turned cutting edge DJ Keala Kennelly who not only made a big splash playing herself in the 90s cult movie “Blue Crush” but also made history for female surfing winning the first women’s big wave contest at the Nelscott Big Wave Classic in 2010. Also performing will be Butterscotch the first female beatbox world champion and a finalist on NBC’s America’s Got Talent, singer-songwriter, rapper Tish Hyman who penned songs for top-notch artists like Alicia Keys, Diddy, Kelly Rowland and Kanye West, rising pop star and Latin hip hop artist Lady Cultura, 90s club Icons Cece Peniston and Black Box, among others. On the comedy front the always politically incorrect stand-up comedian Julie Goldman one of the most hilarious, provocative and familiar faces on Bravo’s “The People’s Couch” and the “Vanderpump Rules” will up the volume on your laughter. She’ll be joined by British comic Gina Yashere who appeared on NBC’s Last Comic Standing and the wildly hilarious Erin Foley who has been taking the comedy scene by storm across the nation. Championing the rise of women DJs behind the decks, The Dinah will also put the spotlight on some of the top female DJ tastemakers including DJ Kittens and more. Collectively these daredevils have considerably changed the game for women achieving power through their remarkable ability to build community around the personal brands they’ve created and the causes they champion.
For More Info & Tix: TheDinah.com
Friday Feb 24, 2017
Friday Feb 24, 2017
Dr. Jessica Toste, co-chair of the Austin, Texas chapter of the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. GLSEN was founded in 1990 by a small dedicated group of teachers in Massachusetts who came together to improve an education system that too frequently allows its LGBTQ students to be bullied, discriminated against or fall through the cracks. Over 25 years later GLSEN has grown into the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe and affirming schools for our LGBTQ students. GLSEN’s flagship research project the National School Climate Survey has found that 8 out of 10 LGBTQ students are still harassed at school each year because of who they are. In the past few weeks with the disturbing appointment of Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, GLSEN has urged Secretary DeVos to keep in place protections for the most marginalized students including women, students with disabilities, students of color, undocumented students and LGBTQ students. Recently in Austin, Texas Senate Bill 6 was filed that would require transgender people to use bathrooms in public schools, government buildings and public universities based on “biological sex” and would pre-empt local nondiscrimination ordinances that allow transgender Texans to use the bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity. We talked to Jessica about how GLSEN is dealing with the current political climate and her spin on our LGBT civil rights.
When asked how she sees our LGBTQ community moving forward in a Trump administration Dr. Toste stated, “The Anti-Defamation League and the Southern Poverty Law Center have reported increases in hate crimes across the country. As we watch civil rights come under fire especially LGBTQ rights that have been hard won in the very recent past I think it’s difficult for a lot of people to stay optimistic but we aren’t done. So GLSEN is continuing the work and our friends are continuing the work and I think one thing that can help us remain optimistic is that we’re experiencing a moment in history where so many groups are being directly targeted and we really can’t afford to splinter our efforts and lose focus. We need to organize and recognize that each of our liberties is bounded up in liberties of our neighbors. We need to work together and stand together and mobilize together and take this moment for the great potential of coalition building and renewing our commitment to justice and equality.”
Dr. Jessica Toste is an assistant professor in the Department of Special Education at The University of Texas at Austin and a fellow of the Reading Institute within The Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk. She received her PhD in educational psychology from McGill University in Montreal, Canada in 2011. Her research interests are related to students with learning disabilities and effective reading interventions with a particular focus on psychosocial processes and classroom climate as determinants of school success. She has published articles and book chapters on resilience factors related to achievement and psychosocial functioning of youth at-risk. Jessica also shares GLSEN’s mission to create safe and affirming schools for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
For More Info: glsen.org
Friday Feb 10, 2017
Friday Feb 10, 2017
Abe Rybeck Founder and Executive Artistic Director of The Theater Offensive one of the nation's oldest LGBTQ theater groups based in Boston, Massachusetts talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. The Theater Offensive grassroots movement has been a voice for the LGBTQ community in Boston and beyond raising awareness, fighting bigotry and hate through performing arts and providing LGBTQ performers with a safe space outlet. The Theater Offensive’s mission is to present the diversity of our LGBTQ lives in art so bold it breaks through personal isolation, challenges the status quo and builds thriving communities. Last November First Lady Michelle Obama presented their youth group True Colors with the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award which is the nation's highest youth humanities award. This was the first LGBTQ organization to receive this prestigious honor. We talked to Abe about the significance of his work in the current political climate and his spin on our LGBT issues.
When asked how he sees our LGBTQ community moving forward in a Trump administration Rybeck stated, “It’s so important before we say anything about that answer to remember the massive diversity of our community. Why this is so important is that in the last weeks I’ve seen a lot of rumors flying around about ‘Oh there’s going to be an anti-LGBTQ order coming out from the White House. Get ready we’re next’. We are not next, we are already under attack. Think about who we are: women, trans folks, people of color, people who want to drink clean water. That’s all of us. We are already under attack. The Theater Offensive has had Muslim employees and Muslim board members. It’s really important that we remember that these members of our community, if we’re not standing together like this, how are we calling ourselves a community? We are already under attack and The Theater Offensive the way I see it, we need to be already in action. So we’re mobilizing as part of the resistance to this. I think culture plays a vital role in resistance. Culture is part of the problem that created the situation that we’re in and it’s part of the solution. I heard a joke on Saturday Night Live which I think considers itself you know kind of progressive. There was a joke in the news segment about trans women of color or in other words the reason Trump won the election as if the reason Trump won the election was because of identity politics of LGBTQ folks. I think the opposite is true. The reason Trump won is because white supremacists grabbed on to an identity movement and went with that. And anti-gay forces grabbed on to their identity and went with it and though a minority of people in the country, a minority of voters even identified that way or support that, they organized politically in a way that they could win. I think it’s really important for us as a community to make sure we’re standing up to that and standing together against that.”
Abe Rybeck’s main work is uniting artists, neighbors, community groups and local businesses to collaborate on OUT performance work in the Boston neighborhoods. Collaborating across cultures and generations to create performance work is his favorite part of his job. Abe won the 2007 Jonathan Larson Award for musical theater for his collaboration on the book of True Colors alumna Melissa Li’s Surviving the Nian. Abe was declared one of the “Heeb 100” progressive Jewish world cultural leaders. He is proud to have received several awards from his peers in the community.
For More Info: thetheateroffensive.org
Friday Feb 03, 2017
Friday Feb 03, 2017
Janis Ian, Grammy winning singer songwriter talks about her Facebook posting that went viral with over 12 million views, 50K comments and over 93K shares addressing the Trump Administration with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. Legendary singer, writer and feminist icon Ian was only 14 when she wrote "Society's Child" observing the racial bigotry and atrocities during the 1960’s. Her civil rights stand brought her controversy and even death threats, however the importance of the song was recognized when it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Janis remains society's child, although an older and wiser one with her commentary on current American history and our new president's positions. We talked to Janis about what inspired her to write this must-read post (see link below) and her spin on our LGBT civil rights.
When asked how she sees our LGBTQ community moving forward in a Trump administration Ian stated, “Well, I think the question for anyone in the LGBT community is can we move forward in this administration? This is an administration that is on record saying that we are crazy, that we’re mentally disturbed, that we need therapy to become ‘normal’. This is an administration that seeks to normalize hatred and bigotry and ignorance. My gosh if they’re normalizing anything it’s ignorance. They have the arrogance of their ignorance. So I don’t know that we can move forward. I hope we can but I think we’ll be doing very well if we can just manage to maintain at this point and I would say that goes across the board, not just for gay people but for the disabled, for anyone that dissents on either side and for anyone that is not white male and wealthy. I think the coalminers are going to get hit too. You know we’re not alone in this, it’s just that a lot of people don’t realize it yet.”
Janis Ian won her first Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1976 for “At Seventeen” and her second Grammy Award in 2013 at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony for Best Spoken Word Album for her audio book "Society's Child”. She had stiff competition in 2013 including President Bill Clinton, First Lady Michelle Obama, Rachel Maddow and Ellen DeGeneres. When she won she sincerely considered it to be a “stunning upset.” With her inimitable sense of humor, she went on to say "There must be a joke in here somewhere. An ex-president, a First Lady and three lesbians go into a bar..." In addition to the Grammy the audio version also received an Audie Award, the audio book industry’s version of the Grammys. As a multitalented artist Janis has been expressing her life experience through her music, songs and her literary projects. Ian’s songs have been recorded by singers as diverse as Cher, John Mellencamp, Celine Dion, Nana Mouskouri, Charlie Daniels and Roberta Flack and she has performed with Tom Paxton, Lou Gossett Jr., Judy Collins, Phil Ochs and a host of other singer-songwriters. Read Viral Facebook Post...
For More Info: janisian.com
Thursday Jan 26, 2017
Thursday Jan 26, 2017
Loni Anderson, iconic actress and fierce LGBTQ ally talks about her new sitcom “My Sister Is So Gay” that premiered January 22nd on tello films with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. Anderson stars as Frances the boozy and inappropriately sexy mother of two middle age children in this new LGBT themed series. “My Sister Is So Gay” also stars Terry Ray as Frances’ gay son Seth who is invaded by his uptight, homophobic sister, Amanda played by Wendy Michaels after she catches her husband with her best friend Katherine. It just seems she’s way more upset about Katherine cheating on her than her husband and it’s not adding up for Seth especially when Amanda acts all loopy around his lesbian co-worker Becca played by Debra Wilson. The series focuses on whether Seth’s right-winger, homophobic sister is gay as Amanda tries to figure out why Seth’s way younger and very handsome boyfriend played by Tilky Jones is interested in Seth and questions why he seems to have too many secrets or perhaps he’s married. Season one of "My Sister Is So Gay” is a laugh out loud web series featuring six episodes written and created by Terry Ray and Wendy Michaels. We talked to Loni about what attracted her to “My Sister Is So Gay” and her spin on our LGBT issues.
When asked how she sees our LGBTQ community moving forward in a Trump administration Anderson stated, “Needless to say I’ve had my hysterical moments over the election and I have a granddaughter who’s a junior at UCLA and we have had many spirited discussions about our feelings. I think after you get over being hysterical, but I don’t know if you do, that you try and move forward the best you can and hope that we do not slip backwards. I was a 60’s girl; I went to high school and college in the 60’s. So I marched and I always said my political party is I’m a card-carrying member of the civil rights party. So I didn’t think as a grandmother I would be facing this. Somehow when I was a college student I didn’t think this would come up when I got to be a grandmother. I naively I guess thought it would be all taken care of but as I said to my granddaughter, if need be I’m still ready to march.”
Loni Anderson will always be remembered for her iconic role as Jennifer Marlowe from the hit sitcom “WKRP in Cincinnati”. Anderson became a sex symbol almost overnight and a pinup photo of the actress in a bikini was one of the best-selling posters of the 1970s. Yet far from a dumb blonde, Anderson insisted that she be able to play her character as a bright, sensitive woman before signing for the part. Her vision paid off and Anderson earned two Emmy nominations and three Golden Globe nominations for her performance. Loni was a regular in 5 more series and has guest starred in numerous other shows and TV movies like the title role in “The Jayne Mansfield Story” opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger. Her films include “A Night At The Roxy” and “Stroker Ace” with Burt Reynolds. Her high profile marriage to Reynolds made them the Brad & Angelina of the 1980s. In 1997 she published her autobiography “My Life in High Heels”. She is now happily married to Bob Flick from the folk music group The Brothers Four.
For More Info: tellofilms.com
Thursday Jan 19, 2017
Thursday Jan 19, 2017
Joerg Kohring, Jess Niven-Kohring and Barbara Niven talk about their extremely relevant “Be The Change” music video and social media campaign with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ that premiered globally on Martin Luther King Day. “Be The Change” was written by Joerg Kohring and Jess Niven-Kohring and recorded by pop rock band Orbit Monkey. Joerg and Jess are acclaimed singer-songwriters, parents of two children living in Los Angeles, California and have created an inspiring music video to give hope and motivation to millions of Americans who are drowning in fear of the unknown since the election. The video itself is confronting. Images of gun violence and hate crimes fold into the visuals of innocent children as they watch TV. Viewers witness the parallel between segregation in the 50s and violence and intolerance in this country today. The video also focuses on the continuing struggle for our LGBT civil rights intensified by the fear of the unknown in 2017. “Be The Change” is a passionate family project with Jess’s mother, actress and Human Rights advocate Barbara Niven (‘A Perfect Ending’,‘Chesapeake Shores’ & ‘Nesting Doll’), contributing to the video as Co-Editor and Producer. We talked to Joerg, Jess and Barbara about the importance of “Be The Change”, what they hope to accomplish with this significant global campaign and their spin on our LGBT issues.
When asked how they see our LGBTQ community moving forward in a Trump administration Jess Niven-Kohring stated, “This is the thing that we have been talking about. Joerg and I were actually talking about this last night and trying to figure out you know what role we can play in trying to help move this forward. I think because there is so much fear, I think it’s really going to be up to everyone coming together and the allies really speaking out and using the privilege that I didn’t even realize I had for so long and using that to really make our voices heard and allow everyone else’s voices to be heard too and really standing up as a society. It’s not one community verses another; we are all part of the same community and the same beautiful cultures and it’s us moving forward together. So I think it’s really going to be up to everyone to recognize the privilege they have and really use it to give voices to those that may not have a voice under the incoming administration.”
The “Be The Change” video campaign had its world premiere on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to honor King and all the other American heroes who have fought for equal rights. Audio from his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech has been incorporated into the video to help spread his message to a new generation. Martin Luther King, Jr. also said, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” His words ring true now more than ever. To get involved you can post, share & tweet this video on social media using #BeTheChange. Send it to your friends, family, news sources and influencers. Get involved and hold your politicians accountable or run for office yourself. Be aware, be a safe place, stand up to bullies, speak up for equality, climate change, listen and learn from each other and teach your children to be kind. Most importantly, never give up.
For Watch Video & More Info…
Thursday Jan 12, 2017
Thursday Jan 12, 2017
Chris Hastings, Executive Producer of the World Channel and Hillevi Loven, Director of the documentary DEEP RUN that premieres on the second season of REEL SOUTH January 15th on the World Channel talk with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. DEEP RUN chronicles an eight-year portrait of LGBTQ teen 17 year-old Jasmine who is exiled by family, rejected by an ex and then finds a new love and the courage to become Cole, a strong-willed transgender man in rural North Carolina. Loven captures Cole’s intimate transition process with candid humor and sensitivity as he deals with emotional dilemmas brought on by his Christian beliefs and the bigotry he experiences on a daily basis. Executive produced by Susan Sarandon, DEEP RUN is a must-see documentary and a true love story in these turbulent times. We talked to Chris about the importance of telling this story on the World Channel and Hillevi’s inspiration and commitment to DEEP RUN as well as their spin on our LGBTQ issues.
When asked as allies what their personal commitments to LGBT civil rights is Hastings stated, “My commitment is I want always to remind people that when we think about civil rights it’s not about white and black anymore. Diversity is such a broad idea and this idea of being inclusive is what we need to remind people that we need to be inclusive and that also means LGBT and so we have to continue to remind people that just as we fight for civil rights in the sixties and fight for civil rights in 2016 we have to make the LGBT community a part of that equation. When you look at some of the different stories that have come out of the past week we have to remind people that inclusion isn’t just about race anymore, it isn’t about gender, specifically women. It’s about how people are living today and for me it’s important to continue to tell those stories to remind people these are our equals, these are part of the broader community. They are the broader community and these are important stories we have to keep putting out there until people understand that they are just like you or I, they are me or you and they are our brothers and sisters and they have to be part of the greater good of sharing story.” Loven added, “I would say on a more personal note I as a straight, white girl growing up in Chelsea in the West Village born and bred New Yorker, Chelsea in the West Village were my, those are my homes and I always felt like I was part of the LGBT community and an ally and the LGBTQ community also just provided incredible inspiration and support personally for me and then also throughout the years of making and finishing this film. So I have a commitment to stand up for those around me basically.”
Hillevi Loven is a filmmaker, producer and still photographer based in Brooklyn, New York. She is making her feature-film directing debut with DEEP RUN. As a Sundance Documentary Fellow, she took part in the Sundance labs while completing DEEP RUN. DEEP RUN is the culmination of years of Hillevi’s own social justice work which began with teaching media arts to LGBT youth at the Hetrick Martin Institute in NYC.
For More Info: worldchannel.org