OUTTAKE VOICES™ (Interviews)

Malcolm Lazin, Founder and Executive Director of Equality Forum talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. For the past 5 years every October Equality Forum coordinates “GLBT History Month” honoring LGBT leaders and icons. When asked about this important educational project Lazin stated, “We’re very proud of this project because as you know we’re a national and international project and certainly as we’ve seen from “Black History Month”, "Women's History Month", “Hispanic Heritage Month”, those projects are very important civil rights movements and we think particularly important to our (LGBT) community because we’re the only minority worldwide that’s not taught its history at home, in public schools or in religious institutions and so it’s no wonder homophobia has had the pernicious impact on our (LGBT) community. And projects like this that are really educational based and provide role models and a sense of our history are very important to both individuals and community development.” Lazin also discussed the recent LGBT federal trials addressing Prop 8 in California, the Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD) challenge of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and the Log Cabin Republican federal case against the military “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy. Federal Judges have ruled that all of these cases have been found to be unconstitutional and discriminatory against our LGBT community. “GLBT History Month" begins October 1, 2010. A GLBT icon is presented daily, with a video, bio, bibliography, downloadable images and other resources - all provided for free. The 31 icon videos can be embedded without charge on websites, blogs or social networking. Among this year’s honorees are: George Washington Carver, George Eastman, Leslie Feinberg, Tom Ford, Jane Lynch, Cynthia Nixon, Eleanor Roosevelt, Matthew Shepard, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Rufus Wainwright, to name a few. The conclusion of this interview will be posted next week addressing LGBTQ Teens and the importance of providing positive LGBT educational resources for future generations. For More Info: www.glbtHistoryMonth.com

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Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman the Academy Award winning filmmakers (“The Times of Harvey Milk” and “Common Threads”) talk about their new must-see poetpic “Howl” that opens in theaters on September 24th with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. Starring James Franco in a brilliant performance as Allen Ginsberg, “Howl” interweaves three stories: the landmark 1957 landmark obscenity trial, a groundbreaking imaginative animated ride through the prophetic masterpiece and a portrait of a gay man who found new ways to express himself and in doing so changed his own life and galvanized a generation. The stellar cast also includes Jon Hamm, David Strathairn, Bob Balaban, Alessandro Nivola, Treat Williams, Mary-Louise Parker and Jeff Daniels. When asked what their commitment is to LGBT civil rights, Epstein stated, “First of all we’re artists and our role is to tell stories we find to be significant that haven’t been told otherwise and that’s what we look for. The subjects that we tend to be drawn to have been queer in nature and orientation. I can’t say that that’s anything conscious or deliberate. It’s more instinctual and I think that’s probably true for how most artists operate. You know you’re going on your own instincts because in the end that’s the only thing you can rely upon. I would like to think our work has made a contribution and certainly from what we hear from people, that is so.” In 1987, Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman teamed up to form their production company Telling Pictures in San Francisco, California. Their first film together was “Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt.” Since then among the films they have jointly produced are “The Celluloid Closet” and “Paragraph 175”. "Howl" opens in theaters on September 24th. For More Info about “Howl”: howlthemovie.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 this candid conversation, Cooper talks about the aftermath within the LGBT community about former Chairman of the Republican National Committee and campaign manager for Bush’s 2004 Presidency, Ken Mehlman coming out. When asked if gay Republicans can impact conservatives, Cooper stated, “We are challenged with making people think a little harder. And you’re right that there are still people on the far right that would rather see me disappear than be in the room. What’s changed is the tipping point we are at is that I am in the room all the time, even if they don’t want me there. And we’re not getting bread crumbs anymore. The pragmatists of the party know that they can’t mandate or legislate feelings, so they can’t legislate or mandate all Republican members of the party to fully support or embrace full civil rights. But what they can do is get them to stop speaking in a negative fashion and just get them to shut-up. And that’s something that people who are following your political analysts in Washington have noted… All of a sudden in the last year there’s been a huge reduction in anti-gay rhetoric coming out of conservatives' mouths. If they can’t say something nice, say nothing at all.” On September 22nd in Washington D.C. is the Log Cabin Republicans National Dinner. Confirmed speakers include National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Representative Pete Sessions (R-TX), Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL), Representative Anh 'Joseph' Cao (R-LA), Representative Charles Djou (R-HI), Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Grover Norquist, President of Americans for Tax Reform, Daily Caller Publisher Tucker Carlson and Nick Herbert MP, Minister of State for Justice/Police (UK). Listen to Part #1: Gay Republican R. Clarke Cooper Speaks OUT UPDATE: Federal Court Rules "DADT" Unconstitutional For More Info & Tickets: www.logcabin.org

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R. Clarke Cooper, Executive Director of the Log Cabin Republicans talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. LGBT Republicans are actively seeking political inclusion. In August, former Chairman of the Republican National Committee and campaign manager for Bush’s 2004 Presidency, Ken Mehlman declared his sexual orientation as gay. Clarke worked with the George W. Bush Administration for eight years and shares his insight of coming out within the GOP. When asked what he thought about Ken Mehlman coming out, Cooper stated, “For starters it’s a good thing when anyone comes out. I mean all of us, your listeners, myself, those who have gone through the coming out process know how important it is for our family, our friends, our peers, our neighbors to know who we are. The more people out, the better we can advance full civil rights for the entire LGBT community.” When asked what his hopes are for our LGBT community in the Obama administration, Cooper stated, “Probably no different than most. I think the current government has been a victim of over promise and under deliver. President Obama is no friend to marriage equality. President Obama is on record against it. So there’s a challenge there. He’s been, I know, in the consulting process with Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on advancing an appeal of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”. It’s been a lukewarm response from the White House…. plus, they’re fighting us in court. The Obama Justice Department is fighting to maintain the ban on gays and lesbians in the military in federal court.” Log Cabin Republicans have challenged the constitutionality of the military’s “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy in “Log Cabin Republicans vs. the United States Government” and are waiting for a decision from Federal Judge Virginia Phillips. R. Clarke Cooper is an Army Reserve officer and served in Iraq. On September 22nd in Washington D.C. is the Log Cabin Republicans' National Dinner. Confirmed speakers include National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Representative Pete Sessions (R-TX), Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL), Representative Anh 'Joseph' Cao (R-LA), Representative Charles Djou (R-HI), Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Grover Norquist, President of Americans for Tax Reform, Daily Caller Publisher Tucker Carlson and Nick Herbert MP, Minister of State for Justice/Police (UK). For More Info & Tickets: www.logcabin.org

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Margaret Cho, brilliant actress, hilarious comedian and gay activist talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. Margaret is currently starring in “Drop Dead Diva” on Lifetime and is hitting the road with her brand new tour & CD, “Cho Dependent”. Adam Weinstock of Creative Concept Productions has brought her to Provincetown, Massachusetts where she was Grand Marshal of the Carnival Parade and performing at Vixen through August 24th. Margaret Cho is a native of California so we thought we’d get her spin on the trials and tribulations of Prop 8. When asked what her reaction was to Prop 8 being overturned and found unconstitutional and yet gay couples are still being denied marriage equality, Cho Stated, “I was really excited when Prop 8 was considered unconstitutional but then they decided to have a stay of the marriages and there was an appeal by the opposing groups. I got really angry because it’s not as if this is a small thing. I mean getting married for so many is a life changing event and we are waiting for this right so desperately. Could you imagine if this happened to straight people if a wedding was canceled the day before because it was considered not acceptable somehow by legal standards? It would be unthinkable for a straight bride to have her wedding canceled the day before. I get so angry that this is going on and I want some relief. The back and forth is torture. Why is it ok for them to appeal and we have to wait until December now to be heard again? Why do we have to wait so long? Why can they appeal something two days after it’s decided and we have to wait weeks, months and years? It’s unfair and insane…It’s just so infuriating because they’re going to lose anyways because it’s unconstitutional. That’s the basic truth of it. There’s nothing they can do about it, yet they keep continuing their charade like it’s going to matter later but it’s just making everyone so hateful and angry.” Throughout her career, Margaret has been honored by the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), American Women in Radio and Television, the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF), the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) and PFLAG for making a significant difference in promoting equal rights for all, regardless of race, sexual orientation or gender identity. The “Cho Dependent" CD will be released on August 24 and her tour begins August 26 which is sponsored by Logo. For More Info: www.MargaretCho.com

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Celebrity Chef Rossi, owner and executive chef of “The Raging Skillet” one of New York City’s best and wildest caterers talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. As a celebrity chef Rossi’s events have satisfied many illustrious guests, including Bill Clinton, Glenn Close, Whoopi Goldberg, Rosie Perez, Cher, and Susan Sarandon. We caught up with Chef Rossi in Provincetown, Massachusetts just after California’s discriminatory gay marriage law Prop 8 was overturned and found unconstitutional. Chef Rossi caters a lot of weddings in New York. Recently Chelsea Clinton was married there and her event planner was an openly gay man. New York does not support marriage equality. When asked what her thoughts were about that, Rossi stated, “It’s so sad. New York has always been the hippest capital of the world. I have always been so proud to be the quintessential New Yorker…But now it’s just ever so slightly embarrassing. We are no longer the hip capital of the world. We are really trailing. For me as a wedding caterer it’s a bit bittersweet because I spend a lot of time helping wonderful people make their dreams come true. And I cater gay weddings of course all the time but it makes me feel sad that as a gay American in New York our dreams cannot quite come true. At least not in New York.” As a writer, Rossi has been a feature writer for several publications, such as “The Daily News,” “Time Out New York” and “The New York Post.” Her column “Eat Me” has appeared in “Bust Magazine” for 11 years and running. Rossi’s book of edible memoirs entitled “The Devil and Mrs. Goldstein" is seeking a publisher. She is also the founder of the “Artist’s Room” in the Lower East side of New York City where her show “Cherry” is currently on view. She's been called “a new breed of rebel anti-caterer” by the “The New York Times,” and “eclectic and off the wall” by the Zagats review. She has also been featured on “The Food Network.” As a radio personality Rossi’s hit show “Bite This” on Cape Cod’s WOMR is now in its 6th season and she has also appeared on NPR's "The Takeaway". For More Info: theragingskillet.com

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Sandro Isaack, children's book writer  talks  about his latest book “Stork, M.I.A.” (missing in action) with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. The book follows the story of Dad and Dad, who were tired of waiting for the Stork and decided to find her to ask for a baby. They search for the Stork around the world, turning this story into an adventure, rather than a didactic book for children of same-gender couples. Census data shows that 25% of same-gender couples in the U.S. are raising children and in more progressive countries the percentage is even greater. Sandro explains that most of these children are reading from books with "borrowed" universes. In his “Dad Dad Mom Mom” upcoming series of children's books Sandro intends to create a universe for these children - their own universe in which the main characters happen to be same-gender couples and their kids. When asked what his personal commitment was to LGBT civil rights Isaack stated, “I like to think that my book is my commitment because my book talks about family and I think it is important for people and the (LGBT) community to know and be reminded that there is a possibility of family. It is not just an idea or a dream for the future. It is something happening now. There is even a children’s book market out there now that reminds us how real it is. For so long being gay and out relied on partying and being fabulous which is great. You know it gives us this amazing character and personality that makes us unique. But at the same time this is the new way of having a family. It stops being news or something online, it becomes something in their lives that might be some incentive to educate themselves and communicate. I feel through education and communication that brings a community closer together and gives us the strength we need to achieve what we need to achieve and what we deserve.” Sandro Isaack is a native of Brazil. He came to the U.S. in 1999 and in 2002 obtained his masters degree in performance from the American Repertory Theatre at Harvard. After graduation, Isaack moved to New York where he pursued his career in acting. However, Isaack’s career came to a halt in early 2008, when his vocal chords and neck became temporarily paralyzed for a period that lasted a year. As everything happens for a reason, his true passion in storytelling was born. “STORK M.I.A.” is his first book in a series of children stories he wants to tell. Sandro recently appeared in Provincetown, Massachusetts during “Family Week” July 31st- August 7th and read from his book. For More Info : DadDadMomMom.com

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Gary Buseck, Legal Director of the Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD ) and one of the architects of Gay Marriage in this country talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. Recently U.S. District Judge Joseph Tauro, who was appointed to the United States District Court by the Nixon administration, ruled in two separate cases that section 3 a critical portion of the federal Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional. The ruling stems from GLAD’s lawsuit Gill et al v. Office of Personnel Management et al, filed in March 2009. Mary Bonauto, GLAD’s Civil Rights Project Director who argued the case stated, “The Court simply affirmed that our country won’t tolerate second-class marriages. I’m pleased that Judge Tauro recognized that married same-gender couples and surviving spouses have been seriously harmed by DOMA and that the plaintiffs deserve the same opportunities to care and provide for each other and for their children that other families enjoy. This ruling will make a real difference for countless families in Massachusetts.” The next step in the case is for the federal government to decide whether it will appeal Judge Tauro’s ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. That decision should come within the next 60 days. When asked if he thought this case will reach the federal Supreme Court Buseck stated, "That’s really hard to tell. The first thing we have to do is go through the Unites States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. If we win at that court and it will be a big challenge there as it is in any court of appeals involving the constitutionality of a federal statute. If we win at the Unites States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, most people tell us the United States Supreme Court would hear the case. It is the kind of case the court has been paying attention to in recent years, so we think that’s likely, but if we lose in the Unites States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, perhaps a review by the U.S. Supreme Court becomes somewhat less likely.” Join Gary Buseck at GLAD's 28th Annual Summer Party to be held July 31st outside in the heart of Provincetown on the grounds of Pilgrim Monument. This is a fabulous fundraising event. Enjoy the view of the harbor, mingle with other GLAD supporters and learn more about their ground-breaking cases. Comedian Kate Clinton will be returning as auctioneer extraordinaire! You don't want to miss this exciting auction - travel packages, unique experiences, massages, theatre and much more. There’s something for everyone and all in support of a great org. See you there! For More Info: glad.org

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Mark Elderkin, CEO of the Gay Ad Network talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™.  Elderkin is a dot com visionary and entrepreneur. He co-founded gay.com in 1994, served as President and CEO of PlanetOut Inc., retired in 2006 and then founded Gay Ad Network in 2007. The Gay Ad Network and Lesbian Ad Network together form the leading gay media network, reaching over 6 million unique users per month across 290 popular LGBT web sites, blogs and social networks. It is ranked as the largest U.S. gay media property. Gay Ad Network provides online, mobile and video advertising services to global and national brands targeting the gay and lesbian market. Our LGBT community has an annual buying power of 712 billion dollars a year and will hit a trillion dollars annually by 2012 according to Witeck-Combs Communications, Inc. When asked whether mainstream advertisers are taking advantage of this ‘final frontier’ in marketing to our LGBT community Elderkin stated, “We’re seeing more and more first time advertisers come into the market. They typically try and get their house in order first to make sure they have nondiscrimination policies in place and that they are supporting an LGBT employees group. Then they work with us or another gay agency to make sure they’re marketing correctly with the right messaging. So it tends to be a small task that expands as they get more comfortable with it and they see the success generated from the program. We’re seeing continued growth in the market, more and more as advertisers are coming in.” Elderkin holds a BS degree in Systems Engineering from Boston University and MBA from UC Berkeley Haas School. He has served on the boards of Online Partners, GLAAD and Stellar Networks. Mark lives in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida with his partner Jeff and daughter Chloe. For More Info: GayAdNetwork.com

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Jeff Parshley and his partner celebrity photographer Adam Bouska talk about their grassroots org the “NOH8 Campaign" with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. After attending a rally in West Hollywood protesting the passage of Proposition 8 back in November 2008 which banned marriage equality, the couple went back to their apartment and took the first NOH8 photo. Bouska had Parshley pose in front of a white background with the words “NOH8″ written on his cheek and duct tape on his mouth, symbolizing Prop 8 and similar legislation’s attempt to silence the voices of our LGBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender) community. Since then it has expanded into a global grassroots campaign. Over 4,500 NOH8 photos have been taken featuring members of the LGBT community, allies, families and celebrities. The notable celebrity photos are of Cindy McCain and “Glee’s” Jane Lynch. When asked what their personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights Adam stated, “Before all this happened I never considered myself as much of an activist. Until Prop 8 I never thought something would hit me so personally. We just felt that we had to take it one step further. So I think at this point seeing all these different faces coming in with all these different stories, I think it’s almost our responsibility to the community to portray these stories in a respectable light and get these stories out there and make sure these voices are heard. This commitment to full equality is something that seems so natural and something so expected at this point. We just try to do as much as we can with our own abilities and we always encourage people to do what they can do.” This summer Jeff Parshley and Adam Bouska are taking their "NOH8 Campaign" on the road photographing our LGBT community and their allies across America. This is a great opportunity to participate in this historic and effective movement. For More Info: NOH8Campaign.com

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