OUTTAKE VOICES™ (Interviews)

Reverend John Makokha, senior pastor of Riruta United Methodist Church in Nairobi, Kenya talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ in the first installment of this two-part exclusive audio interview. Reverend Makokha is the African correspondent for Reconciling Ministries Network and the Country Coordinator of Other Sheep Kenya Trust, a faith-based LGBTI organization. John is the Africa Author of Reconciling Ministries Network. He passionately runs educational awareness seminars on human sexuality and gender identity programs to address religious homophobia and transphobia in Kenya with his wife Anne. When asked as a heterosexual man how he got involved in the LGBT community, Rev. Makokha stated, “In high school when I was still a student I had friends who were gay. I saw them going through a lot of persecution, a lot of suffering and living in the closet. And one of them named David who was very dear to me, very close to me, was expelled from high school and also his family threw him out because of his sexual orientation. And later on he took his life. He committed suicide and that really effected me.” As Coordinator for Other Sheep Kenya, John organizes and leads educational awareness seminars on human sexuality and gender identity throughout Kenya. Other Sheep Kenya addresses religious homophobia, transphobia, social justice, and HIV/AIDS in Kenya through capacity building and advocacy programs for LGBTI people and Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG). Other Sheep has ministries in Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. Other Sheep Kenya came into existence during the 2007 Kenya summer ministry program of Rev. Stephen Parelli and Jose Ortiz, Other Sheep Executive Director and Other Sheep Coordinator for Africa, respectively. Our Gay, lesbian, bisexual & transgender (LGBT) community are once again subject to homophobia, religious and cultural extremism. The United Nations voted to remove “sexual orientation” from a resolution that protects people from arbitrary executions. The UN General Assembly has actually voted to allow LGBT people to be executed without cause. Read More…. This holiday season we hope our audience will consider making a donation to support our LGBT community, especially in oppressive countries. For More Info: othersheep.org

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Charles Robbins, Executive Director/CEO of the Trevor Project, talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ about the non-profit organization that operates the only nationwide, 24 hour crisis and suicide prevention helpline for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. LGBTQ teens are up to four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers. Over the last few months numerous teens have taken their own lives after facing bullying incidents. When asked how can we turn this around and reach these kids, Robbins stated, “It is troubling to know that young people are taking their lives and we know that many young people are not necessarily help seeking. So it’s important that we reach out to these kids by providing them with resources they need to know that there is an affirming place that they can contact where they can find support and know that they’re not alone. And that’s why the Trevor Project exists. You know with our 24 hour lifeline and our robust website, that’s really how we’re hoping to reach young people. We know that they’re online, we know that they’re using technology and that’s really the forefront of how we’re trying to reach them.” Every year The Trevor Project brings together top talent to celebrate and honor leaders and role models for LGBTQ young people. On Sunday, December 5th, Hollywood’s most talented and irreverent stars will gather at the Hollywood Palladium to celebrate “Trevor LIVE”, the annual show benefiting The Trevor Project. This year’s Trevor Life Award honoree is Emmy winning actor/comedian Kathy Griffin, who has been an outspoken advocate for equality. Griffin stated, “This past year, we heard about a number of tragic suicides and whether we were part of the community or not, many of us wondered how we could help. I’ve been fortunate to have had the platform and recognition to beat the drum for change and not get kicked out of the band. My goal is to help raise awareness about what everyone can do to save lives and I’m honored that The Trevor Project has selected me to receive the Trevor Life Award.” This year's Trevor Hope Award honoree is Levi Strauss & Co. Celebrated director, producer and choreographer Adam Shankman and Emmy winning writer Bruce Vilanch are teaming up as Producing Director and Head Writer for Trevor LIVE. This high-profile event has honored actors and comedians including Neil Patrick Harris and Ellen DeGeneres and corporate trailblazers such as Wells-Fargo and Clear Channel Communications for their support of LGBTQ youth. For Event Tickets & More Info: thetrevorproject.org

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Keith Adams author of "Broken Whole: A California Tale of Craziness, Creativity and Chaos" talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ about his new book which has been called possibly the most entertaining memoir of mania you’ll ever read. “Broken Whole” is a brave first-person story of Keith’s battle with bipolar disorder. It's a fascinating personal look at his experiences, feelings, fears and courage to battle this difficult diagnosis. It's also a testament to the love and support of his relationship with his partner Ben as they work through this challenging journey. When asked what he learned from his self-exploration, Adams stated, “Well I think the first thing that I learned is something that really stays with me now. We have this idea that everyone has a fixed self; a noble personality. ‘I am this person and I know who I am.’ But when you’ve been through something like this, you know on the edge of insanity, you realize that that’s a construct. When I was manic I was this amazing person. A person that I really liked, a person that was totally real to me. It wasn’t a manufactured person. But bipolar disorder has two poles. You also go through depression and that could last months. The worse part of depression is you’re not yourself anymore, you’re this depressed-suppressed shadow of your former self. So which of these two people is real? Let’s say I get excited about this interview, I start to think; ‘Oh is this a sign of mania?' So you can’t trust who you are and everyday is a new learning experience trying to find stability. That was the biggest insight.” Adams also speaks out about recent LGBTQ teen suicides, Prop 8, Obama, and gay marriage, which he thinks is key to public opinion. Keith was born near Newcastle upon Tyne, in northeast England. He has a degree in Physics & Astronomy at University College London before emigrating at the age of 21 to the U.S. to begin a Ph.D. program in Alternative Energy & Development at the University of Pennsylvania. His academic career was cut short with a masters degree so that he could cope with his coming out process. Keith a Software Developer and avid photographer is currently trying to perfect a new style of ultra-saturated faux realism in his photographs. Keith lives with his partner Ben in Hollywood, California with their two dogs Indira and D’artagnan. For More Info: brokenwhole.com

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Robin McGehee, Co-Founder of GetEQUAL, the grassroots LGBT organization which evolved from her position as the co-organizer of the 2009 National Equality March on Washington talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. The midterm elections have come and gone. The Democrats have lost the majority in the House. Nancy Pelosi made empty promises to our LGBT community that the “Employment Non Discrimination Act” (ENDA), which never even got out of committee, would be passed on her watch. Then there’s “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” (DADT) and the “Defense of Marriage Act” (DOMA) section 3 which applies to federal benefits. Both were found unconstitutional by federal judges yet the Obama Administration is appealing these decisions causing additional hardships on our LGBT community. However, the good news is that more openly LGBT candidates won election to public office in the U.S. in 2010 than in any year in America’s history. When asked if this was the way to go McGehee stated, “Absolutely. I think that not only is it the way to go but someone was telling me that 106 out of 154 people were LGBT that were elected or reelected and in my opinion the more people we’re putting in office that are there understanding the injustice, the inequality that we suffer as a community, the better. It’s great to have straight allies in those positions but you know at the same time it’s also great to have members of our community who can speak to our injustices that are in those political positions that really in my opinion change the world and change our political system.” GetEQUAL envisions a society in which LGBTQ people experience equal protection under the law and are free from cultural and social transphobia/homophobia without compromise. GetEQUAL inspires and equips our LGBTQ community and allies to fight back against discrimination and push forward progressive change as equals, building bridges with all who struggle for justice and dignity in their lives. For More Info: GetEQUAL.org

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Tracy Baim, Chicago-based journalist talks about her new book “Obama and the Gays: A Political Marriage” with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. This must-read book provides a collaborative perspective of our LGBT community’s love-hate relationship with the Obama administration. When asked what her inspiration was for writing the book, Baim stated, “ I’ve read a lot of books and articles about Obama in the last few years. Especially in the last year a lot has come out on a national level that really do a good job looking back at Obama on a general level. But pretty much almost entirely ignore the gay movement in Chicago as well as nationally and the role they played in electing him to the senate and president. I felt there was a big gap out there and while it may seem like a periphery issue to some people that gay movement actually did play a pretty pivotal role in the democratic primary in 2008 especially in his US senate primary. I felt that that was lost to history just like the gay role for Clinton’s campaign or other campaigns were also forgotten. I felt ‘Well who better to do it than people in Chicago as well as gay movement writers, activists and bloggers to write about it." Baim is joined by some of the most respected LGBT journalists, bloggers and activists from around the US. The book includes articles by Chuck Colbert, Lisa Keen, Karen Ocamb, Bob Roehr and others; essays by Wayne Besen, Sean Cahill, John D'Emilio, Kerry Eleveld, Rod McCullom, the Reverend Irene Monroe, Michelangelo Signorile, Pam Spaulding, Timothy Stewart-Winter, Andrew Tobias and Phill Wilson as well as dozens of interviews with Chicago and national gay movement leaders. The book presents an in-depth look at Obama's trajectory on gay issues and is now available. For More Info: ObamaandtheGays.com

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R. Clarke Cooper, Executive Director of the Log Cabin Republicans talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. In the case of Log Cabin Republicans v. United States of America Federal Judge Virginia Phillips ruled “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” unconstitutional and refused to grant a stay to the Obama Justice Department while they appeal. Now The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has granted the Obama administration's request for a temporary stay. When asked about this temporary stay Cooper stated, “It’s a temporary stay which means what The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has granted to Obama’s justice department is saying ‘We are seeking a freeze on a freeze.’ So where the injunction froze discharges and discharge process the justice department came back and said ‘just not yet, we want more time to further our case.” Clarke continued, “For over eight days the armed forces not only survived but thrived without the burden of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and we don’t see this decision as anything but a minor setback or bump in the road. We will certainly go further and we will make our case and we will be sure that our evidence will win the day. If we have to go to the Supreme Court we will.” R. Clarke Cooper is an Army Reserve officer and served in Iraq. We also discussed what advise Clarke has for gay and lesbian servicemembers currently serving in the military during this temporary stay. We will have the second part of this interview addressing DOMA, the Defense of Marriage Act, which was found unconstitutional by a Federal Judge in Boston which the Obama Administration is also appealing and more in the upcoming weeks. For More Info: www.logcabin.org

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Reverend Steve Parelli, Executive Director of Other Sheep, a multicultural ecumenical Christian ministry working worldwide for the full inclusion of LGBT people of faith within their respective faith traditions talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. This past summer Parelli and his spouse Jose Ortiz traveled to India & China for Other Sheep. Steve shares his experience about meeting with our LGBT community in Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Sanya, Hainan and Beijing China; then with LGBT religious groups in Bangalore, Trivandrum, Alleppey, Cochin, India. He also provides an update about the status of the bill that could impose the death penalty and imprisonment on our LGBT community in Uganda. Since Parelli is based in the Bronx, New York we asked what his reaction was to the recent horrific gay bashing in his city. Parelli stated, “I feel those who bash gay people have a sense of insecurity. They lack any kind of identity about their own sexual orientation or who they are to have to bash anyone indicates that the person is troubled somehow. Definitely the gay basher needs help, he needs some kind of reform, education and I think society needs to address that.” Steve and his partner Jose were legally married in Sacramento, California, August 25, 2008. Section 3 of DOMA, the Defense of Marriage Act, was found unconstitutional by a Federal Judge in Boston. The Obama Administration is appealing this decision. When asked what his thoughts are about this development Parelli stated, “Marriage is marriage; whether it’s with same gender couples or opposite gender people. Marriage is still marriage and DOMA itself was an unjust political move to garnish conservative votes. DOMA is just unjust and it really does not stand today among the decisions we are seeing regarding what is just for same gender couples to marry.” For More Info: othersheep.org

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Cathy Marino-Thomas, President of the Board of Marriage Equality New York talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. Recently there’s been some appalling gay bashings in New York City. Marino-Thomas eloquently addresses this as well as the fact that LGBTQ teens are up to four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers. Over the last month, numerous teenagers have taken their own lives after facing bullying incidents. When asked how we can turn this around and send out a positive message to our LGBTQ kids Marino-Thomas stated, “I’ve been mourning these kids. It’s just devastating what’s going on. We are the adults in this community. We must find a way to reach out to these kids who are just figuring stuff out. We need to be visible, we need to be good positive role models. We need to show them that there is life beyond the coming out process and with or without your family’s acceptance you are a valid individual that can lead a good and positive life. We as the adults need to take charge of this. We need to put ourselves out there and let these kids see that. We must provide hope.” Founded in 1998, Marriage Equality New York is the oldest organization in the state of New York to advocate full and equal marriage for same-gender couples. A grassroots, not-for-profit organization, MENY and its dedicated volunteers are devoted to ending discrimination in civil marriage through education, awareness and media campaigns, political actions, and coalition building. Marriage Equality New York is also the founding chapter of Marriage Equality USA, the national organization with chapters in California, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Join MENY as they travel from all over New York State to meet their Senators in Albany to educate them on why marriage equality matters! In 2011 there will be freshman and senior senators to work on and to push ALL senators to get this legislation to a vote. Be part of that change! For More Info: meny.us

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Rick Andreoli, Editor in Chief of gay.com turns the tables on Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ to learn more about her and the history behind this new innovative LGBT interview series. When asked about the inspiration behind OUTTAKE VOICES™ Robinson Stated, “When gay marriage became legal in Massachusetts in 2004, I was really disappointed at the lack of mainstream media coverage of our LGBT issues. I think it’s very important to provide a place where people can come and listen to what we have to say and who we are.” Robinson has interviewed over 100 politicians and celebrities since launching OUTTAKE VOICES™ in December 2008. Guests Include: Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin; Jarrett Barrios, President of GLAAD; Gay Activist Cleve Jones and comedians Kate Clinton and Margaret Cho— to name a few. Politics and entertainment provide a unique blend of conversation for this interview series. Many guests come on OUTTAKE VOICES™ as a dress rehearsal before they appear on Rachael Maddow or Hardball with Chris Mathews and similar shows. Others to promote a movie, book or concert and find themselves going beyond the usual fluff promotional type-interview as they passionately express their views on LGBT civil rights. When asked about the motivation behind OUTTAKE VOICES™ Charlotte added, “There’s a lot of gratification from doing this. Every year we interview Trevor Project's Charles Robbins to promote the Cracked XMAS Event to help prevent LGBTQ teen suicide and every day we have people listening to this interview…. Also, we’re a Google News source which allows us to compete with mainstream media. We have over 10,000 subscribers to our iTunes series and new people discovering us everyday from around the world. We want to expand OUTTAKE VOICES™. We’re just looking for the right media partner and sponsors so we can reach a larger global audience.” Email Inquiries: moguls@OUTTAKEonline.com Visit OUTTAKE BLOG™ For Daily LGBT Stories

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In conclusion of our two part series Malcolm Lazin, Founder and Executive Director of Equality Forum talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ on the importance of educating our country about our LGBT community. As you know for the past 5 years every October Equality Forum coordinates GLBT History Month honoring LGBT leaders and icons. The great news is that The U.S. Department of Education will now recognize October as LGBT History Month with U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan providing welcoming remarks at the Department’s first LGBT History Month event. Equality Forum announced that starting in 2011, GLBT History Month will be renamed LGBT History Month. “For a community deprived of its history, GLBT History Month teaches heritage, provides role models, builds community and recognizes extraordinary national and international contributions,” said Ora Alger, LGBTA Employees at ED President, U.S. Department of Education. “We salute Equality Forum for spearheading this free educational resource.” “GLBT History Month is an educational project,” stated Lazin “We are delighted to have the U.S. Department of Education recognize and celebrate our community’s history month. We salute GLSEN, GSA Network and Campus Pride for promoting Equality Forum GLBT History Month to over 6,000 high schools and colleges.” Each day in October, an Icon is featured with a video, biography, bibliography, downloadable images and other educational resources. The videos are offered without charge to educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, for profit companies and the public. 2010 marks the 5th anniversary of GLBT History Month, featuring 155 Icons from 2006 to 2010. “Our community has made profound international contributions as reflected by Alexander the Great, James Baldwin, environmental movement pioneer Rachel Carson, Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Eleanor Roosevelt, Tchaikovsky, Alan Turing, Walt Whitman and Oscar Wilde. Our nation has been enriched by Leonard Bernstein, George Washington Carver, George Eastman, Barney Frank, Philip Johnson, Alfred Kinsey, Annie Leibovitz, Margaret Mead, Suze Orman, Bayard Rustin and Gore Vidal. Our culture would not be the same without Alvin Ailey, Jr., Ellen DeGeneres, Tom Ford, Cary Grant, Keith Haring, Elton John, Jasper Johns, Bill T. Jones, Tony Kushner, k.d. lang, Jane Lynch, Rachel Maddow, Martina Navratilova, Cole Porter, Bessie Smith, Gianni Versace, John Waters and Andy Warhol.” Lazin concluded. Equality Forum is a national and international LGBT civil rights organization with an educational focus. Equality Forum coordinates GLBT History Month, produces documentary films, undertakes high impact initiatives and presents annually the largest national and international LGBT civil rights summit. For More Info: www.glbtHistoryMonth.com

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