OUTTAKE VOICES™ (Interviews)

Keri Aulita, Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Boston Pride Committee, talks about this year’s Boston Pride events. Boston’s Pride celebration runs through Sunday June 14th with festivities happening all week long. Interestingly, the White House released a National Proclamation honoring the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall rebellion & officially recognized June as LGBT Pride Month. Though this is a step forward for the Obama administration to acknowledge the contributions our LGBT community has made & continues to make in strengthening the fabric of American society, most LGBT Americans are more concerned about what legislation Obama will pass to provide equal rights, benefits & protections for their families. When asked if Boston Pride had planned any events to honor Stonewall, Aulita explained. “This year's theme "Trans-forming Our Community” is long overdue. We need to support and acknowledge our Transsexual community after all they are the “T” in LGBT." Aulita continued to say that Pride Week is meant to be about socializing & celebrating the LGBT community with parties, music & other cultural events, but it's also a vehicle for promoting awareness. "We've always been committed to trying to get people to think. We want people to come out & really think about what it's like to be out & how lucky we are to live in a place like Massachusetts." Next year Boston Pride will be celebrating its fortieth anniversary. For More Audio Interviews w/ LGBT Leaders: OUTTAKE VOICES™ More Info: Boston Pride.org

In Fresno California Saturday, May 30th in solidarity to support full federal equality, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT) advocates & allies marched & rallied. Robin McGehee, Lead Organizer of Meet in the Middle 4 Equality, talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson about their first statewide demonstration following the California Supreme Court rulings which upheld the ban on gay marriage. This all-inclusive event brought supporters of social justice & equality from across California & ask them to renew their dedication to fight for the rights of LGBT individuals who currently struggle to have their rights protected. Progressive leaders & activists set goals for a new movement which called upon organizers & attendees to continue the fight & call upon the Obama administration & the federal government to provide full equality to LGBT individuals. Meet in the Middle is the beginning of a civil rights movement for today’s generation. In a symbolic sign of respect to the social movements of the past & present, the event began with a 5 hour, 14.5 mile Equality March from Selma, California to downtown Fresno, California. The march & rally are the result of a major grassroots effort, modeled after President Obama’s campaign relying on the Internet & word of mouth. Traditionally, the LGBT rights movement has concentrated efforts in major metropolitan cities, but California voter demographics from November 2008 reflect that this approach did not garner the expected results. Consequently, organizers for Meet in the Middle have created an inward-working-out geographic strategy based upon the belief that the “Selma” or “Montgomery” of the LGBT rights movement will be in smaller communities needing equality education, resources and support – communities like Fresno which are at the epicenter of middle-American values. McGehee was one of the 18, 000 gay couples legally married in California in 2008. For More Rally Info: Meet in the Middle 4 Equality For More Audio Interviews w/ LGBT Leaders: OUTTAKE VOICES™

Edwin Seth Brown is Director of Business Development for Unzipped Media. Recently he was appointed Ambassador to Germany for the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA). Brown began his career in entertainment as a modern dancer where he acquired his love for travel and adventure. “I think of these publications as ‘sexually forward,’” said Brown of Unzipped Media’s titles. “They share the beauty of masculinity, fun, and all the knowledge of today’s active male, helping us live a life with a healthy attitude. These publications are delivered to the public with style and polish, which will keep us in the forefront of history. We are the sexual record keepers for generations to come. We can celebrate our freedom through our expression, which is what makes a society great and healthy! For me, having fun is the key to my success; learning and caring about our customers gives me an advantage. I believe each day is a new adventure.” The Unzipped Media brands are available at newsstands and on the shelves of retailers including Barnes & Noble, Waldenbooks and Borders bookstores. To Listen to the Full Interview: OUTTAKE VOICES™ More Info Visit Unzipped Media

Arline Isaacson, Co-Chair of the Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus talks about the future of LGBT civil rights in the Obama administration and reveals the behind the scene strategies that led to the historical passage of gay marriage in Massachusetts. In this audio excerpt Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson discusses America's Road to Gay Marriage with Isaacson as Massachusetts marks its fifth anniversary of the legalization of gay marriage. When asked about Prop 8 she replied “We're not quite out of the woods just yet. Our opponents tasted blood with PROP 8. Now they want more. There is a possibility they'd come back to Massachusetts to try one more time. (They've discussed doing this.) Their thinking is that if they can win in 'oh so gay California' they can win in Massachusetts if it goes to the ballot.” With gay marriage about to pass in 6 states Isaacson replied, “Time is on our side. With the passage of time, we find increased support or at least acceptance of our marriage rights. People see how unthreatening it is to them and the younger demographic cohorts that support us are aging and with each passing year they vote more and more.” To hear the full Interview: OUTTAKE VOICES™ For More Info: MGLPC.org

In this audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson discusses with Kenneth Cox, Director of Special Events at GMHC, the current challenges the organization faces in the treatment, prevention & education of HIV/AIDS in these challenging economic times. The HIV/AIDS epidemic is far from over, especially with the number of new cases among young Afro-American men who do not identify with being gay & bring the infection home to their wives. We talked about GMHC’s new campaign for Woman of Color: “We're Not Taking it Lying Down” that addresses this problem. There’s also an increase in HIV/AIDS among people living in poverty. Cox stated that their average client lives on an income of eleven dollars a day. Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) is a nonprofit, volunteer-supported & community-based organization committed to national leadership in the fight against HIV/AIDS. They provide prevention & care services to more than 15,000 men, women & families that are living with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS in New York City & advocate for scientific, evidence-based public health solutions for hundreds of thousands worldwide. Their Mission is to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic & uplift the lives of all affected. For more information: gmhc.org For More Interviews with LGBT Leaders: OUTTAKE VOICES™

In this audio excerpt, Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson talks to gay political humorist Kate Clinton about her latest book “I Told You So” & the future of LGBT Civil Rights in America. This must-read book is a collection of hilarious, bittersweet & politically acute short essays that Kate has written for Huffington Post, the Advocate, numerous Blogs & exclusively for “I Told You So.” It’s an easy read & an honest time capsule of the last few years of American Politics concluding with the inauguration of President Obama. We also got Kate’s spin on Gay Marriage, DOMA, the Military’s DADT (Don’t Ask Don’t Tell), U.S. Representative Virginia Foxx's remarks calling Matthew Shepard’s death a hoax, the passing of the LGBT inclusive Federal Hate Crime Bill in the House, the fabulous work of openly gay Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin & what LGBT Civil Rights Ms. Clinton would like to see pass in 2009. Kate Clinton will be appearing all Summer @ the Crown & Anchor in Provincetown. If you can’t make it to the Cape to see her live pick up a copy of “I Told You So” & have a fabulous laugh OUT loud @ home. Listen to the Full Interview: OUTTAKE VOICES™: Clinton Speaks OUT on Gay Rights

If HIV/AIDS was getting as much attention around the world as the H1N1 Flu maybe we would be further along on the cure. In this audio interview, Emmy Award winning Producer & Gay Activist Charlotte Robinson chats with Keith Orr of AIDS Action Committee in Boston about the present HIV/AIDS situation in America & their annual AIDS walk fundraiser that takes place June 7th. According to Orr there is a significant rise in new infections among young Afro American males who do not identify being gay but instead as MSM, men who have sex with men. To hear the full interview: OUTTAKE VOICES™: HIV/AIDS Plays on in America...

The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 249-175. In this audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson chats with Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin about the future of our LGBT Community's issues in President Obama's White House. Check OUT Congresswoman Baldwin’s video statement @ OUTTAKE VOICES™: LGBT Hate Crime Bill Passes US House

In this audio excerpt, Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson discusses the 2012 phenomenon with Richard Emmanuel, the founder of The Church, a non-profit organization in East Gloucester, Massachusetts, which is dedicated to raising individual & collective consciousness & increasing spiritual awareness. As we approach the year 2012 there are so many theories from Armageddon & Doomsday predictions to a Religious Apocalypse. Hollywood is providing major disaster films with 2012 to be released this November. The government in preparation for this event has been launching millions of dollars worth of satellites to monitor the Sun. They’ve also spent millions to mortify equipment to withstand a possible solar blackout. Ancient Mayan astronomers were aware of this rare alignment of the Earth, Sun & center of the Milky Way on the winter solstice December 21 2012. According to this belief, the alignment is tied to the precession of the equinoxes & signals a transition from one world age to another. It also marks the end of their calender. A New Age interpretation of this transition suggests that during this time, the planet & its inhabitants may undergo a physical or spiritual transformation rather than an Armageddon. Exacerbating this issue is a virtual deluge of often-confusing & overwhelming information. Emmanuel brings clarity to the 2012 phenomenon by addressing the emotional & physical ramifications it could have on our changing world. Complete Interview @ OUTTAKE VOICES™: "2012 What an Awakening"

In this exclusive audio interview, Charlotte Robinson presents the conclusion of her two part series with Robin McGehee, lead organizer of Meet in the Middle 4 Equality, who is strategizing the necessary steps to bring national awareness to our LGBT issues. Step one, McGehee is urging our community & their allies to write letters to the first family stressing the importance of passing national legislation for equal rights, benefits & protection for our LGBT families. Perhaps when the Obamas read our stories they will be compelled to address our basic civil rights. The next step is camping OUT @ the White House this summer to bring attention to promises Obama made during his campaign but has yet to act on. Obama states on the White House website "While we have come a long way since the Stonewall riots in 1969, we still have a lot of work to do. Too often, the issue of LGBT rights is exploited by those seeking to divide us. But at its core, this issue is about who we are as Americans. It's about whether this nation is going to live up to its founding promise of equality by treating all its citizens with dignity and respect." Eloquently said, but when will he bring forth a realistic timeline we can believe in as we approach the 4oth anniversary of Stonewall? For rally info & to hear the complete interview: OUTTAKE VOICES™: Obama's Gay Agenda? (Audio)