OUTTAKE VOICES™ (Interviews)

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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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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In this exclusive audio broadcast Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson Host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ participated in a conference call immediately following the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in Virginia’s Bostic v. Schaeffer marriage equality case. This marks the second favorable federal appeals court ruling since last year's historic Windsor decision by the U.S. Supreme Court. The call was hosted by Adam Umhoefer, Executive Director of American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER) and joined by Virginia’s Attorney General Mark Herring and Bostic’s co-counsel Ted Olson and David Boies. Gregory Nevins, Supervising Senior Staff Attorney at Lambda Legal and James Esseks, ACLU Director of the Lesbian, Gay, Transgender and Bisexual Project were also on the call. This historic decision represents a major milestone towards marriage equality in this country as the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in Richmond, Va. affirmed the District Court decision in Bostic v. Schaefer that found Virginia’s ban on marriage for gay and lesbian couples unconstitutional. The decision also paves the way for West Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina to strike down their marriage bans since those states are under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Maryland, the fifth state in the Fourth Circuit passed marriage equality in January 2013.

The Virginia Decision Stated: "Civil marriage is one of the cornerstones of our way of life. It allows individuals to celebrate and publicly declare their intentions to form lifelong partnerships, which provide unparalleled intimacy, companionship, emotional support, and security. The choice of whether and whom to marry is an intensely personal decision that alters the course of an individual's life. Denying gay and lesbian couples this choice prohibits them from participating fully in our society, which is precisely the type of segregation that the Fourteenth Amendment cannot countenance." Ted Olson, Plaintiffs’ lead co-counsel stated, “Today’s decision stands as a testament that all Americans are created equal and denying loving gay and lesbian couples the opportunity to marry is indefensible.” David Boies Plaintiffs’ lead co-counsel added, “Today’s decision recognizes that marriage is one of the most fundamental rights – if not the most fundamental right – of all Americans. This court has affirmed that our plaintiffs – and all gay and lesbian Virginians – no longer have to live as second class citizens who are harmed and demeaned everyday.”

In November 2006 voters in Virginia amended the Virginia Constitution to define marriage as solely between one man and one woman and ban recognition of any legal status “approximating the design, qualities, significance, or effects of marriage” for gays and lesbians. Bostic was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in July 2013 on behalf of Tim Bostic and Tony London of Norfolk and Carol Schall and Mary Townley of Richmond challenging the constitutionality of these laws on the grounds that they violate the Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution. This decision is a major step forward for our LGBT families.
For More Info: afer.org

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Maura Healey candidate for Attorney General in Massachusetts who was recently endorsed by HRC (Human Rights Campaign), the nation’s largest LGBT civil rights organization talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. Healey who is openly gay is currently leading the democratic primary polls by a narrow margin. Maura served as Assistant Attorney General under Attorney General Martha Coakley for the last seven years where she achieved monumental victories to protect consumers, homeowners and championed LGBT equality. As Chief of the Attorney General’s Civil Rights division Healey spearheaded and argued the first successful challenge to DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act). We talked to Healey about her historic campaign, the recent US Supreme Court’s ruling supporting religious exemptions as in the case of Hobby Lobby that will affect the current version of ENDA and her spin on our LGBT issues.

When asked what her personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights Healey stated, “My commitment to LGBT civil rights is deeply personal and it’s deeply professional. As a gay person myself I’m acutely aware of discrimination and how that plays out when it comes to housing, employment, education and hate crimes. We still see LGBT people victimized on a daily basis and we read about that in the news and so we obviously have more work to do and certainly as Attorney General, as somebody who’s going to be in charge of enforcing the laws I’m going to fight to make sure that every LGBT person in our state feels safe, that we promote diversity and inclusiveness and that we support and make real Equality and equal treatment under the law.”

Maura Healey will be in Provincetown attending the GLAD (Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders) 33rd annual Summer Party on Saturday July 26th at the Pilgrim Monument & Provincetown Museum. Then on Sunday July 27th there will be an Outer-Cape Fundraiser/Kick-Off Party hosted by comedian Kate Clinton at The Harbor Lounge 359 Commercial Street Provincetown, MA. This is a perfect opportunity to learn how Maura’s bid for Attorney General will be a real game-changer over the next 4 years. If you can’t make it to Provincetown this weekend there will be another fundraising event on Friday August 29th. Kick off the Labor Day Holiday Weekend in style with small plate samplings from some of the most celebrated epicurean masters on the East Coast including Top Chef Tiffani Faison and Iron Chef Mary Dumont at Sage Lounge 336 Commercial Street Provincetown, MA. Kate Clinton will be hosting this event as well.
For More Info & Contribute: maurahealey.com

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Writer/director Marina Rice Bader about her new film ANATOMY OF A LOVE SEEN, premiering on July 18th at Outfest in Los Angeles with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. Marina who served as executive producer of the iconic lesbian films ELENA UNDONE and A PERFECT ENDING makes her directorial debut in ANATOMY OF A LOVE SEEN. The film stars Hollywood newcomers Sharon Hinnendael, Jill Evyn and Constance Brenneman. This very intriguing film explores love in all its painful and messy glory. Six months ago Zoe and Mal fell for each other while filming a love scene, which led to an intense, whirlwind affair, followed by a devastating breakup. Things get complicated when the two have to meet once again on set to re-shoot that fateful sequence. Marina also appears in the film portraying the director. We talked to Marina Rice Bader about ANATOMY OF A LOVE SEEN and her spin on our LGBT issues.

When asked what her personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights Marina stated, “I have unwavering commitment to the LGBT community to keep telling their stories, which are our stories and the stories of women which show the rest of the world that we’re all walking the same walk. We love, we have kids, we struggle with relationships, money, our place in the world and every human being goes through the same thing. I think that the more that our stories are out there people can watch them and go hey you know there’s a little less fear. I mean we’ve had pastors, straight men send us messages that say ‘You know it wasn’t until I watched your film (we had a lot of that with ELENA UNDONE) that I really understood and it took a little of the confusion away, my eyes are open.’ And what more can you ask for?”

As the driving force behind Soul Kiss Films, her independent film company, Bader’s artistic direction is focused on one goal: to create evocative, entertaining, and compelling movies by women, for women and about women. Later this year she’s releasing RAVEN’S TOUCH starring Dreya Weber and Traci Dinwiddie with a new film set to shoot in December. After the July 18th premiere of ANATOMY OF A LOVE SEEN at Outfest it will immediately be released worldwide as a streaming rental, breaking outside and bypassing the traditional Hollywood distribution channels. The trailer has already gone viral with over 715,000 views. The film will be available for $5 on Vimeo via the film’s website anatomyofaloveseen.com. In addition, subtitled versions for a number of foreign languages will also be made available including Spanish, Portuguese, French and German. 
For More Info: soulkissfilms.com

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Rick Murray, president and general manager of The Crown & Anchor in Provincetown, Massachusetts which is an inn, restaurant and unsurpassed for entertainment and nightlife in P-town talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. Over the years The Crown & Anchor has been home to legendary entertainers and the 2014 Season is over the top with a new series called "Turn up the Volume" as well as their The Broadway Series with partial proceeds of all the shows raising funds for the Trevor Project. This summer The Crown is bringing 19 Tony winners to their venues and Town Hall including Daniel Nardicio production of Liza Minnelli and Alan Cumming at the Paramount Theatre accompanied by Billy Stritch on the piano. Both shows sold out in 24 hours but there are still tickets for the iconic Carol Channing and Tommy Tune, Broadway Diva Linda Eder and a performance of The Leading Ladies of Broadway with Andrea McArdle from "Annie", Donna McKechnie from "A Chorus Line" and Faith Prince from "Guys and Dolls" accompanied by musical director John McDaniel. We talked to Rick about The Crown’s fabulous summer entertainment line-up and his spin on our LGBT issues.

When asked what his personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights Murray stated, “I was influenced by this one woman named Alice Foley who was the town nurse here in Provincetown. My partner and I met her back in the 1980’s when we bought our first property back in 1986. She was very active with the AIDS Support Group here in Provincetown. During the AIDS crisis my partner was on the board of AIDS Support Group of Provincetown when it was PASG way back when and we became very involved in Helping Our Women going to all their auctions and supporting them as well. So we’ve been pretty much on the forefront here in P-town supporting all the gay and lesbian organizations. This year especially we’re basically partnering with The Trevor Project with James Lecesne and his co-workers in LA and in New York to raise funds for The Trevor Project. The events that are associated with that are Leslie Jordan concerts, Liza Minnelli and Alan Cumming, they’re going to be donating a great portion of their fee to The Trevor Project in August and the same with Carol Channing and Tommy Tune event at Town Hall on August 7th; part of all the proceeds will also go to The Trevor Project. Our goal is to try and raise anywhere between twenty and thirty thousand dollars for The Trevor Project throughout all of our shows this summer.”

Also appearing at The Crown & Anchor this summer are Kate Clinton, Sandra Bernhard, Miss Richfield 198, Dina Martina, Coco Peru, Jessica Kirson, Grammy award winner Matt Alber and the prolific author of Tales of the City, Armistead Maupin. In the Central House Piano Bar Tony Nominee, Sharon McNight, Bobby Wetherbee and the dynamic duo from Key West, Deborah and Patrick will be performing throughout the summer. Then there’s the Illusions Drag Revue, Summer Gay Camp, a new exciting young group of NYC actors who will appear in July & August and a brand new weekly variety show called Audition.
For More Info & Tix: onlyatthecrown.com

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Producer Gary Janetti (WILL & GRACE, FAMILY GUY) talks about his fabulous new PBS sitcom VICIOUS with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. Legendary openly gay actors Sir Derek Jacobi and Sir Ian McKellen play Stuart and Freddie, partners who have lived together in their central London flat for nearly 50 years. Under the facade of hilarious snide remarks aimed at the other’s age, appearance and flaws, a deep love for one another is revealed. This groundbreaking sitcom addresses an older gay couple and their longtime circle of friends struggling to maintain their visibility and significance in our youth oriented world. The ensemble cast also includes their feisty best friend Violet played by Frances de la Tour and Ash played by Iwan Rheon, their young impressionable upstairs neighbor. We talked to Gary about taking on relevant aging issues in this comedic format and his spin on LGBT equality.

When asked what he would like to accomplish with this show Janetti stated, “What I want to accomplish is not only that this is a gay couple, the fact that they were gay was always besides the point, it’s also a couple of a certain age. We don’t see couples in their seventies together not as an archon to the young couple on the show, but as the main focus of the show and their world is also populated by people around the same age as them and they are the people we follow. We’re inside their world and it’s unusual and I don’t think it should be unusual. There was something about that I felt really good about accomplishing, also that they were a gay couple of a certain age and within the gay community. These are men in their seventies and they have been clearly out, certainly to each other and their closest group of friends for fifty years. What does that mean fifty years ago, how difficult was it to be out fifty years ago, to live with another man at that time in the 1960’s and I think these people and those stories we don’t often hear a lot of, they’re heroic. To give center stage to a couple like that might sometimes seem anonymous. These couples that you see at times on the subway or walking down the street or in a little restaurant and you wonder what their life was like. This is an opportunity to kind of go inside and for better or for worse you see what this relationship is.”

Gary Janetti co-created, wrote and executive produced the ITV series VICIOUS which was shot before a live audience in the UK and has already been renewed for a second season. VICIOUS can be seen on PBS Sundays at 10:30P. On a personal note Gary and partner celebrity fashion stylist Brad Goreski have been together for 13 years.
For More Info: pbs.org/vicious

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Gay and straight celebrity filmmakers talk with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ at the 16th annual Provincetown International Film Festival press luncheon. First, Killer Films co-founder and producer Christine Vachon (FAR FROM HEAVEN, BOYS DON’T CRY) along with the filmmakers Antonio Santini and Dan Sickles talked about MALA MALA, Killer Films feature-length documentary about the power of transformation told through the eyes of nine trans-identifying individuals in Puerto Rico. Next we talked with Debra Winger (TERMS OF ENDEARMENT, BLACK WIDOW) who received the Faith Hubley Career Achievement Award. Then we talked with writer and director David Cronenberg (THE FLY, VIDEODROME, A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE) who received this year’s The Filmmaker on The Edge Award. We also talked to all the celebrities and filmmakers about their spin on our LGBT issues.

Then director Tom Dolby talked about his film LAST WEEKEND that opened the film festival starring Patricia Clarkson (PIECES OF APRIL, FAR FROM HEAVEN) who received the Excellence in Acting Award. Next, director John Waters talked about his new book CARSICK that’s currently on The New York Times Best Sellers List. Waters also was very generous in giving his advise to new filmmakers. HBO’s new documentary THE CASE AGAINST 8 that is currently premiering on the cable network was screened at PIFF. We caught up with plaintiffs Kris Perry and Sandy Stier who talked about their experience being filmed for five years leading up to the Supreme Court decision that found Prop 8 unconstitutional. We also chatted about what it was like to work with the legal team of Ted Olson and David Boies and what affect the experience had on their family. Then we talked with filmmakers Fermin Rojas and Bruce Donnelly about their documentary ALUMBRONES that addresses the work and lives of twelve contemporary Cuban artists living in Havana today. Through in-depth interviews the film covers a range of subjects and issues from supply shortages to constant blackouts and how the artists are able to create their canvases overcoming these extreme hardships. Rojas and Donnelly also discuss their next project that chronicles the establishment of the first gay men’s choir in Cuba.

The Provincetown Film Society, Inc. (PFS) is the year-round organization and home of the Provincetown International Film Festival. PFS is dedicated to showcasing new achievements in independent film and honoring the work of acclaimed and emerging directors, producers and actors. An integral part of PFS's mission is to contribute to the economic and creative vitality of America's oldest art colony.
For More Info: ptownfilmfest.org

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Melissa Etheridge, Grammy and Oscar winning recording artist talks about her current tour with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. Etheridge will make her symphony orchestra debut performing two concerts with the Boston Pops under conductor Keith Lockhart at Symphony Hall on June 12th and 13th. Dennis Alves, Director of Artistic Planning, Boston Pops stated, "We are honored to welcome the great singer/songwriter Melissa Etheridge here to Symphony Hall this week to collaborate with Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops. Equally as exciting is the prospect of having perhaps the most diverse audience ever at a Boston Pops concert!" On June 12th Etheridge who is a Berklee College of Music alumni will be the featured guest on Berklee Night at the Boston Pops which is a program highlighted by new collaborations between the college and the orchestra. We talked to Etheridge about performing with the Boston Pops, her recent marriage to Linda Wallem and her spin on our LGBT issues.

When asked what her personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights Melissa stated, “Well first of all because it represents me; I am an LGBT person and I’ve met many LGBT people. There’s a lot of us out there and I’ve only met a small percentage of us and it’s understanding our society from a point of view, ‘Oh no we’re not all the same’ and that’s the beauty of it. There’s nobody on the outside, we are all a big diverse bowl of soup that would be less so without any of the spices in it. I love being an LGBT citizen and living in these times. History will look back on these times as the greatest movement in LGBT civil rights, absolutely!”

Last December Etheridge co-founded an organization called "Uprising of Love" that sought to establish solidarity and generate funds to support LGBT Russians. All funds raised through “Uprising of Love” went to the Russian Freedom Fund. Etheridge will also perform at WorldPride 2014 Toronto’s opening ceremonies in Nathan Philips Square on June 20th. Her new CD entitled “This Is ME” is due out on September 29th and the single “Take My Number” will be released this month.
For More Info & Tix: melissaetheridge.com

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Jared Earley, Interim Managing Director of the Provincetown International Film Festival which is celebrating its 16th anniversary and runs June 18th to June 22nd in Provincetown, Massachusetts talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. This year The Filmmaker on The Edge Award goes to acclaimed writer and director David Cronenberg (THE FLY, VIDEODROME, A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE). Academy Award nominee Patricia Clarkson (PIECES OF APRIL, FAR FROM HEAVEN) will receive the Excellence in Acting Award. Clarkson will accept the award following the opening night screening of LAST WEEKEND in which she stars on Wednesday June 18th. Debra Winger (TERMS OF ENDEARMENT, RACHEL GETTING MARRIED) will receive the Faith Hubley Career Achievement Award. LGBT film events include the Friday Spotlight which will be Sheila Canavan and Michael Chandler’s COMPARED TO WHAT: THE IMPROBABLE JOURNEY OF BARNEY FRANK and the Saturday Spotlight will be LOVE IS STRANGE directed by Ira Sachs. The festival will close with the North American premiere of Jonathan Demme’s A MASTER BUILDER. We talked to Jared about this year’s festival and his spin on our LGBT issues.

When asked what his personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights Earley stated, “Well you know I really share the festival’s position which is in sharing so many different stories. Diversity and inclusion are part of our mission as well as part of our programming and I think this year really embodies that as much as any in terms of the number of viewpoints both cultural and chronological that we have on screens. There are stories of showing how far we’ve come in different LGBT civil rights struggles as well as how much work is still left to be done. So there’s much to celebrate and much to talk about as well and on Sunday at the festival we are hosting a breakfast with panel discussion about the documentary THE CASE AGAINST 8 which I think is a perfect example of that and really a perfect way for audiences to get together along with filmmakers to discuss current issues and how they are portrayed on film.”

The Provincetown Film Society, Inc. (PFS) is the year-round organization and home of the Provincetown International Film Festival and the Whaler's Wharf Cinema. PFS is dedicated to showcasing new achievements in independent film and honoring the work of acclaimed and emerging directors, producers and actors. An integral part of PFS's mission is to contribute to the economic and creative vitality of America's oldest art colony. This is the eighth year we’ll be covering the film festival for OUTTAKE VOICES™.
For More Info & Tix: ptownfilmfest.org

Hear 200+ LGBT Interviews @OUTTAKE VOICES™