OUTTAKE VOICES™ (Interviews)

Urvashi Vaid Addresses LGBT Issues

Urvashi Vaid who has been a leader in the LGBT and social justice movements for nearly three decades talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. Urvashi is being honored by GLAD (Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders) with the Spirit of Justice Award on October 24th at Boston Marriott Copley Place. Vaid has made change for our LGBT community through her leadership of numerous LGBT organizations. Most recently she founded LPAC the first lesbian political action committee and her writings have advanced our LGBT movement to be expansive in its thinking and inclusive in its work. We talked to Urvashi about the impact of the U.S. Supreme Court recently denying review of marriage equality cases and her spin on our LGBT issues.

When asked what she would like to see happen for LGBT equality in the next few years Vaid stated, “I would really like us to do two things. One is to take care of the parts of our community that are less powerful. That means low-income LGBT people, transgender people and our community’s women whose rights are getting the crap kicked out of them. Parts of our community across the board, kids, old gay people, parts of our community who are less powerful than middle or upper class professionals like me. For our organizations, donors, our foundations, our media outlets to focus the spotlight and focus their work on the full parts of our community. The second thing I would love to see happen is for the LGBT community to use its political power and access to create a more just society for all. We have done a great job advancing and pulling together and that kind of unity that got us to this point, I would like to see it sustain over the next few years so we can use that power that we’ve been organizing to push back some of the rightwing policies in this country and to push for a more inclusive and just society which really is the queer vision. LGBT people vote more progressive in general. LGBT people care about the environment. We care about leaving a better world for our children and for future generations. Those sets of values that we have of compassion, community building, of caring, of stepping up and shouldering responsibility which we have shown again and again, I hope are the qualities that will guide our movement in the coming years.”

Urvashi Vaid is a graduate of Vassar College and Northeastern University School of Law. She is currently Director of the Engaging Tradition Project at the Center for Gender and Sexuality Law at Columbia Law School. In 2012 Vaid authored “Irresistible Revolution: Confronting Race, Class and The Assumptions of LGBT Politics” published by Magnus Books. On October 24th she will receive the prestigious GLAD’s Spirit of Justice Award at their annual fundraising dinner event in Boston, Massachusetts.
For More Info & Tix: glad.org

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Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Film Festival

Mark Gilbert, Interim Executive Director and Board Chair of the Fort Lauderdale Gay and Lesbian Film Festival which is in association with the Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. The sixth annual Fort Lauderdale Gay and Lesbian Film Festival has expanded to seven days and takes place Friday, October 10th through Sunday, October 12th and resumes Thursday, October 16th through Sunday, October 19th. This year FLGLFF 2014 is presenting fifty award-winning diverse feature films and shorts, along with special events and parties throughout the city, making it one of the most highly regarded LGBT film festivals in the nation. The Fort Lauderdale Gay and Lesbian Film Festival’s mission is to enrich, entertain and educate the public through the presentation of international and culturally diverse films that offer meaningful perspectives on the historic and contemporary gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender experience. We talked to Mark about this year’s film festival and his spin on our LGBT issues.

When asked what he would like to see happen for LGBT equality in the next few years Gilbert stated, “I would like to see the movement continue at the pace that it is. I mean my dream, my vision, I use to do editorials and talk about what I hope would be one day and we’re already seeing it. I’m a grandfather of two and my boys don’t know any different and when I say that of course I mean as a grandfather of two adorable, loving children and they’ll never know the difference that gay was ever anything to wonder about. They’ll only know that Papa’s gay and their grandfather and they love him. My dream is fifty years from today and even to take that to the next level where when they hear talk about marriage, gay marriage, marriage equality, if you will, they’re only going to know that there’s my two mommies, my two daddies, or Joey has two mommies or two daddies, or two grandmas, whatever it is they’re going to feel the same love for them, it’s not going to be something special or different. It will just be part of our every day lives that everyone will accept everyone for who they are and it will be a world of just equality.”

Presented by HBO, Merrill Lynch and The Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB/Broward Office of Film, Music & Entertainment, the sixth annual Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Film Festival promises to be a wealth of films, ranging from hilarious takes on relationships to compelling dramas and documentaries touching upon some of the more compelling issues of our LGBT community. There are also fabulous parties and events presented by Florida’s LGBT non-profits.
For More Info & Tix: flglff.com

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Our Fabulous Gay Wedding

Marilyn Rosen, Symphony Booking Agent talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ about their recent marriage that took place at Scullers Jazz Club before friends and family. The ceremony was performed by Elyse Cherry, CEO of Boston Community Capital and one of the architects of marriage equality in Massachusetts. It was an untraditional Jewish service that included exchanging vows, rings and the breaking of glass. Marilyn and Charlotte have been together for almost 17 years and began planning their wedding after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional in 2013. The intimate gathering of 80 were then entertained by the world-renowned band Pink Martini who Rosen represents nationally for symphony performances. Marilyn and Charlotte talk about their marriage experience and give their spin on our LGBT issues.

When asked what they would like to see happen for LGBT equality, Robinson stated, “After getting married and feeling what it’s like to be married; it does feel different. It feels more secure and legitimate in so many ways. What I would like to see and Marilyn and I agree on this is we would like to see the Supreme Court to finally rule that gay and lesbian marriages across the country would become legal as soon as possible because this legal procrastination that’s going on is really hurting our community, our LGBT community and it’s also keeping them from having this kind of joyous event that we had. I think that enough is enough and marriage equality should be passed in the United States if not globally.”

Marilyn is CEO of Marilyn Rosen Presents, a boutique agency specializing in Symphonic and International bookings with an emphasis on the American Songbook, Broadway and Cabaret, as well as global sounds and nostalgia. A 22-year veteran of the music industry, Rosen spent nearly two decades booking tours internationally for artists including Pat Metheny, Wynton Marsalis, Nina Simone, Chris Botti, Chick Corea and Sonny Rollins while developing a new Symphony Division representing over 20 Artists. One of the first groups Rosen signed to her symphony division was Portland Oregon-based band, Pink Martini, which has since reached worldwide acclaim. In addition to Pink Martini's staggering achievements, Rosen has bolstered the Symphonic profiles for artists including Ann Hampton Callaway, The Von Trapps, New York Voices and many others. (Paul Robinson Photos)

For More Info: marilynrosenpresents.com

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A Perfect Place For A Gay Wedding

Paul Saltalamacchia, Senior Catering Sales Manager for Hilton Worldwide talks about planning your gay wedding or LGBT event with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. Saltalamacchia is currently based at DoubleTree Suites by Hilton in Boston overlooking the Charles River in Cambridge, Massachusetts, which embraces diversity to ensure that your event is flawless and exactly to your specifications. Weddings can cost anywhere from $8,000 to $50,000 and Paul understands the full range of emotions that goes into preparing for your momentous day guiding you through the sometimes overwhelming process. The DoubleTree Suites in Boston-Cambridge offers three fabulous venues at their location including the Charles River Ballroom, Rooftop Terrace and Scullers Jazz Club. We talked to Paul about preparation for your special event and his spin on our LGBT issues.

When asked what his personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights Saltalamacchia stated, “I believe that every person deserves equal rights regardless of their sexual orientation, their nationality, religious beliefs or physical or mental restrictions. I truly believe that and I’ve believed that my entire life that everyone should be treated equally. So it’s really important to me that gay couples receive that same treatment when they come into the hotel. I remember when it first became a law in 2004, I would have couples call me and say ‘I have a question, I’m inquiring about a wedding but do you allow gay weddings at your hotel?’ I was really shocked to hear that a lot of other hotels in the city were actually turning away gay couples because of their sexual orientation and I thought that was crazy. I went to my general manager when the question was asked of me and I said we’re ok with doing gay weddings at the hotel? And he said of course we are, it doesn’t matter to us. I met with my staff for an hour long kind of orientation to question them to see if they were comfortable working a gay wedding and it was very surprising how open all the people that worked at the hotel were to it. It was a big deal. The word got out and it became very popular. I would say maybe 15 to 20 percent were gay weddings.”

Paul Saltalamacchia began his career in healthcare nutrition and made the switch to hotel event catering and sales in 1998. He has been a Certified Social Event Planner since 2006. His focus has been on social events, mainly weddings and Bar Mitzvahs and enjoys turning people’s vision into reality. At DoubleTree Suites in Boston/ Cambridge Saltalamacchia works with acclaimed Chef Steve Ali committed to making your dreams come true for your special event. Whether trendy or traditional, extravagant to tastefully modest, they’ll make this exciting day everything you imagined it would be.
For More Info: doubletree3.hilton.com

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“Harbor to the Bay” AIDS Bike Ride

Jim Morgrage, President of “Harbor to the Bay” a one-day bike ride from Boston to Provincetown on September 20th with 100% of all pledges going directly to fight HIV/AIDS with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. “Harbor to the Bay” began in 2003 with an idea by the late Michael Tye, a group of Boston’s Club Café staff and dedicated friends who shared the dream to launch the 126-mile AIDS bike ride. Their idea was simple, a one-day ride from Boston (Harbor) to Provincetown (Bay) staffed completely by volunteers and a commitment that all rider pledges go directly to defeat HIV/AIDS. With millions of dollars being raised over the last eleven years, this year their goal is $500,000. So far over 300 riders have signed up and over 170 volunteer crewmembers. Riders also have the unique option of riding the complete or any part of the 126-mile route. We talked to Jim about his commitment to end HIV/AIDS and his spin on our LGBT issues.

When asked what his personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights Morgrage stated, “My personal commitment is that I will work in any capacity that I can to help ensure that marriage equality and equal rights are something that are afforded every LGBT individual across the country. I won’t rest until marriage equality is recognized in all fifty states and all the same benefits and protections afforded our heterosexual counterparts are afforded to all of us.”

Jim Morgrage has been working with AIDS organizations since 1990. He began at AIDS Response Seacoast in Portsmouth, New Hampshire as a volunteer answering phones, working with fundraising and with client services. From his volunteer work his life has been forever changed whether providing comfort and support to someone about to die or organizing an event that brings people together for a common goal. He believes that we are all here to make a difference. For the last twenty years he has managed Boston’s premier LGBT Club Café. There will be a “Harbor to the Bay” benefit Bachelor & Bachelorette Auction on Thursday, September 11th at 7P at Club Café hosted by the Boston Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Another “Harbor to the Bay” event is CYBER-FRIDAY on September 12th with a goal of raising $12,000 in one day by tweeting, texting, emailing & all other social networking. All proceeds from “Harbor to the Bay” will support Fenway Health, AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod, Community Research Initiative and AIDS Action Committee.
For More Info: harbortothebay.org

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Matt Gold New EP “Let It Out”

Matt Gold, chart-topping and acclaimed singer-songwriter talks about his new EP LET IT OUT with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. Recorded with Grammy-winning engineer David Bianco and produced by renowned drummer Kenny Aronoff, it’s his most optimistic release to date. Already the single APPRECIATED has charted on the Billboard Hot AC chart which is a rare feat for a completely independent artist. You can tell that the songs on the new EP are coming from somewhere very real and euphorically uplifting. Gold’s singing and piano playing almost functions as a reward for all the soul searching he and his fans have collectively conducted in their musical dialogue. We talked to Gold about his music and his spin on our LGBT issues.

When asked what his personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights Gold stated, “You know sometimes I think that we’ve made so many strides in this area and then other times I actually feel as if we’re losing ground in the movement. It’s this contradiction that brings us to the very heart of the issue. In order not to lose ground I think we all have to invest ourselves and I will continue to do that the best way I know how and that is through my music.”

Matt Gold who was raised in Indiana, established himself on the singer-songwriter scene through his tireless work ethic, playing shows on college campuses and small venues and building a robust fan base before releasing his first album. His music resonates with people because of his richly expressive vocals, his sophisticatedly accessible pop sense and his gorgeous touch on the piano. In addition to his captivating musicality, it’s Matt’s story that hits the heart of his listeners. He grew up an adopted only child into very religious parents and within this complex world, bravely came out as being gay. LET IT OUT is Matt’s most accomplished and upbeat release. All of his work has a concept and a different sound because the music is his therapy. He states that as he gets happier, so will his music. Currently he’ll be appearing at House of Blues on September 4th in Chicago, Illinois.
For More Info: mattgold.net

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New Gay Memior "Teaching The Cat To Sit"

Writer Michelle Theall about her memoir TEACHING THE CAT TO SIT about growing up gay and Catholic in the Texas Bible Belt and her quest years later to keep her four-year old adopted son from being expelled from Sacred Heart of Jesus School because of her sexuality with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. Dealing with religion and faith continues to challenge our LGBT community especially when it comes to marriage equality. When her son’s Colorado Catholic school expelled all children of gay parents, Michelle found herself wrestling long-buried shame in order to stand up for her son. The result was a public battle with the Church and a private one with her parents that challenged everything she knew about family and faith. It was in this process that Michelle realized that in order to be a good mother, she might have to be a bad daughter and risk losing her parents for good. We talked to Michelle about the difficult decisions she made and her spin on our LGBT Issues.

When asked what her personal commitment to LGBT civil rights is Theall stated, “I speak at LGBTQ events and at churches too. I think that a lot of the divide happens at the ostracisation and kids being torn away by their families and all this kind of thing stems from religion and religious beliefs. That divide between gay and Christians is at the heart of what remains in terms of our fight. I feel I’m a bit of an oxymoron to a lot of people because I’m a gay Christian and I’ll go and talk about my faith and my partner to show that the two are not incongruous and hopefully start mending that divide rather than make it bigger. The other issue that is important for me and our rights would be adoption and gay adoption in particular. The fact that other married couples can adopt children for instances from foster care or other places and not have to go through extra hoops to be both parents on the adoption certificate and that sort of thing I can’t do that. My partner and I have to go through extra lawyers and all different other things because we can’t marry in the state we live in which is Colorado.”

Michelle Theall is an award-winning health, fitness and travel writer and the founder of Women’s Adventure magazine. Her feature essay in 5280, the inspiration for her memoir, was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award. Theall is also the editor-in-chief of Alaska Magazine. She lives with her partner, their son, and three dogs in Boulder, Colorado.
For More Info: michelletheall.com

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New Short Film "Clean Hands"

Filmmaker Caryn Hayes talks about her acclaimed short film CLEAN HANDS with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ that had its world premiere at the 2014 Pan African Film Festival. CLEAN HANDS follows Anna (Grasie Mercedes) and Kirsten (Dawn Noel) as a married lesbian couple who are caring for Anna's terminally ill father (Kurt Sinclair). Anna is forced to deal between her homophobic father, her wife, her Christian beliefs and her sexuality. CLEAN HANDS, which also appeared at The Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival and the Women’s International Film & Arts Festival, will be available for a digital download on August 22nd. We talked to Caryn about her film and her spin on our LGBT issues.

When asked what her personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights Hayes stated, “I would say that I definitely put my money where my mouth is so to speak. I definitely don’t go to the Chick-fil-A’s of the world. I definitely do that as well as when I create stories I try and create characters not only for LGBT people but also black characters that you don’t always see in the world. People have their singular view and I want to show that we are very vast and different and we’re just like you.”

Caryn Hayes is originally from New Orleans and a graduate of Xavier University of Louisiana. She is also a two-time winner of the TV Pilot Award in the original script competition presented by the Organization of Black Screenwriters for THE RIDGE in 2007 and DIRTY THIRTIES in 2009. She was awarded Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series for her series BREAKING POINT from the 2011 Los Angeles Web Series Festival. BREAKING POINT has been nominated and awarded over twenty times, including nods for Best Drama and Best Directing from the 2012 International Television Festival. Caryn's most recent web series, ENTANGLED WITH YOU has already won five awards with three other nominations and has just launched its second season. Additionally she has produced, written and coordinated numerous documentary and corporate videos, short films, independent features, TV pilots and commercials. Caryn continues to seek out and create character-driven stories for any format with an unwavering passion for diversity and is a voice to be reckoned with in the lesbian film community.
For More Info: hardlyworkingent.com

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Carole Pope New CD “Music For Lesbians”

Carole Pope, Canadian rock icon talks about about her fabulous new EP MUSIC FOR LESBIANS with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. When asked what her inspiration was for creating it Pope stated, “I think the lesbian community takes itself too seriously. There are so many funny tragic things involved being with another woman. I wanted to explore the humor of it. It was so fun to work with Peaches and my rock’n’roll husband Tim Welch on the title track LESBIANS IN THE FOREST which was inspired by performing at the Michigan Womyn’s Festival. I got to unleash my inner Shirley Bassey Bond Girl on VAGINA WOLF. Alain Johannes created a Smith’s-like glam rock track for Francis Bacon, my ode to Dusty Springfield. I was Lee Hazelwood to Sara T. Russell’s Nancy Sinatra on SOME VELVET MORNING. Rob Preuss contributed the lush orchestrations. I had my first exposure to lesbianism through lesbian pulp fiction. The books were salacious except for those written by Ann Bannon, Patricia Highsmith, and Valerie Taylor to name a few. I loved the lurid covers and that inspired MUSIC FOR LESBIANS title and the cover art which was created by Sara T Russell.” Pope’s music makes you think and dance at the same time. We talked to Carole about her music and her spin on our LGBT issues.

Carole Pope has won three Juno Awards (Canadian Grammy), a Genie Award (Canadian Oscar) and four Gold, one Platinum and one double Platinum records to her credit. Her infamous band ROUGH TRADE was inducted into the Indy Hall of Fame during Canadian Music Week. Throughout her career she has blazed a trail sharing her thoughts on sexuality, AIDS and sexual politics. Pope’s autobiography ANTI DIVA is currently being made into a dramatic feature entitled ROUGH TRADE THE MOVIE with an Indiegogo Funding Campaign through August 28th. It’s based on the life of Pope and her band ROUGH TRADE set in the 1980’s downtown art scene in Toronto as well as her relationships including being lovers with legendary British singer Dusty Springfield who died in 1999. Andrew Boutilier and Jan Nathanson have signed on as producers and are currently searching for the lead. Pope would like to see someone edgy like Evan Rachel Wood in the title role.
For More Info: carolepope.com
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New Transgender Documentary

Filmmaker Alexia Kosmider (Not Your Mama’s Roller Derby, Sappho’s Fire) talks about her new documentary TransJourney that’s premiering at the Rhode Island International Film Festival Saturday August 9th at 7P with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. While the United Nations is mapping the legal environment for Transgender people and Time Magazine is addressing the “T” in LGBT with Laverne Cox gracing the cover of their magazine, TransJourney follows Sandra on her cross-country journey to share in the life of her former son, now her “new” daughter Annabelle. TransJourney explores three women’s personal journeys and the ways their lives have become intertwined and made stronger because of one another. In 2009 Annabelle transitioned to her new life as a woman in Seattle, Washington and her mother Sandra who lives in Rhode Island sets out on the cross-country trip to spend time with her new daughter. Annabelle meets Shannon an older transgender woman through the meetings they both attended at the Ingersoll Gender Center in Seattle. By offering to talk to Sandra about any questions she may have Shannon and Sandra have become close friends but have yet to meet one another in person. TransJourney is a quest of discovery of family, acceptance and identity. We talked to Alexia about her new documentary and her spin on our LGBT issues.

When asked what her personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights Kosmider stated, “I’m very committed maybe not as an activist but as a professor who teaches queer lit and film at RISD (Rhode Island School of Design) and also as a queer filmmaker. So I’m always not far from my passion, my work and I think I do a lot in that realm of being available to students at universities, turning them on to good LGBT literature and film.”

Alexia Kosmider with co-director Blue Wade and documentarian Michael Welty director of photography have created a tight, exceptional team for this timely breakthrough film. TransJourney takes us on those unsung back roads leading from openness to growth, acceptance to expression and community to support. Greater Providence PFLAG was one of the first LGBTQ organizations to come onboard with TransJourney. One of their missions is to tell stories and they felt that TransJourney tells an important story that benefits LGBTQ families. PFLAG has experienced more families reaching out to them that have members that are transgender and they felt that TransJourney is a logical and important link to their own mission. TransJouney will make its debut on Saturday, August 9th at 7P at Rhode Island School of Design’s Metcalf Auditorium in Providence, RI.
For More Info & Screening: shiftingvisions.com

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