OUTTAKE VOICES™ (Interviews)

Mariah Hanson, founder and producer of the legendary Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend that’s celebrating its 30th anniversary and takes place April 1st through April 5th in Palm Springs, CA.talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. Since 1990 The Dinah has welcomed millions of lesbian identifying queer women from around the world who make the annual pilgrimage to attend this infamous 5-day event to celebrate, unite, empower and live OutLoud at the largest global all-girl music festival. The festivities include high profile performances by nationally renowned recording artists, massive pool parties with world famed DJs, go-go dancers, red carpet events with celebrity guests, dance parties, meet and greets with your favorite celesbians and so much more. This year performing live at The Dinah will be singer/songwriter Layton Greene, Ally Brooke, Saweetie, Umi, Lion Baby and Yung Baby Take. Also new this year will be two nights of comedy showcases that include Dana Goldberg, Dinah Leffart, Gina Yashere on Thursday night and gay icon John Waters who is creating a special Saturday night show just for the occasion stating, “As a proud ‘lezbro’ who’s never been scared of women smarter than me, I’m happy to be the comic relief in a sea of partying ‘all-girl’ music festival fans. Thanks to The Dinah I will finally be a true outsider!” Additional confirmed performers include SWSH, Sophia Messa, Jozzy, Madison Paige with more TBA. Hosting the events will be Kaycee Clark, Rose Garcia and Mikalah Gordon. DJ’s spinning at The Dinah dance parties are Angie Vee, Val G, Alex D, Tatiana, Miss M, China G, Less Ortiz, Zehno and Reesie Cups. We talked to Mariah about what she hopes to accomplish at this year’s 30th celebration of Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend and her spin on our LGBTQ issues.

Mariah Hanson has continuously utilized The Dinah as a platform to mobilize our LGBTQ community around humanitarian projects and social issues. An exemplary community leader she has single-handedly revolutionized her industry, overturned tradition and raised the bar on female achievement with an event that is entirely produced by women for women. For many, The Dinah has become an annual tradition between friends; for others it is a bucket-list goal or a pilgrimage to our very own mecca that every queer woman should make at least once in her life. OUTTAKE VOICES has been a proud Media Sponsor of The Dinah for the last five years.

For More Info & Tix: theDinah.com

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Actor Brian Edward talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ about starring in the world premiere of the new play “Quentin Crisp’s Last Word” directed by Spence Whale at the Hamburg Studio of Pittsburgh’s City Theatre at 1300 Bingham Street, Pittsburgh, PA from February 6th through 16th. Quentin Crisp first rose to global notoriety with the publication of his 1968 autobiography “The Naked Civil Servant” detailing his years in London as a nude model and a flagrantly unapologetic homosexual during a time when it was forbidden by law. The book was adapted into a film starring John Hurt in 1975. Crisp then moved to NYC at age 72 living as a resident alien during the 1980s becoming a champion of outsider artists including the likes of Sting and Andy Warhol. He was frequently sought after for late night talk show appearances and empowered audiences with his one-man show expounding his forthright views on current affairs, social manners and personal style. Shortly before his death in 1999 Crisp dictated his final autobiography to author and colleague Phillip Ward. Ward who is also the executor of Quentin Crisp’s estate published the autobiography “The Last Word: An Autobiography” in 2017. (Listen to Ward’s Interview) Brian contacted Ward and out of their conversations the script collaboration developed and Brian was selected to portray Quentin Crisp in this stage premiere. We talked to Brian about what he hopes to accomplish with the theatrical production of “Quentin Crisp’s Last Word” and his spin on our LGBTQ issues.

LISTEN: 500+ LGBTQ Chats @OUTTAKE VOICES

Actor/filmmaker Yuval David talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ about his advocacy work dedicating his time to serving various causes and organizations including The Trevor Project, GLAAD, The Kennedy Center, Stand With Us, The Jewish National Fund, A Wider Bridge, The National LGBTQ Task Force and more. Recently he led various workshops and panels at The National LGBTQ Task Force's Creating Change Conference in Dallas. Yuval stated, “Since my youth I always understood the importance of making this world a better place and helping others. I’ve brought this element into my own work as an actor, host and filmmaker in addition to my efforts in advocacy. I understand how important it is for me and for everyone to use their voices and actions to create change for the greater good. Being at the Creating Change Conference brings me together with so many others who have that same understanding.” As an acclaimed Israeli-American actor, host and filmmaker Yuval understands the larger social ecosystem of the world and how it benefits from the work and the uniquely powerful voice of an artist such as himself and is committed each day to creating work that entertains, inspires and uplifts those around him and around the world. He is especially concerned about the global anti-Semitism crisis which he addresses as a first generation Jewish American whose grandparents were survivors of The Holocaust. We talked to Yuval about what he hopes to accomplish with his work and his spin on our LGBTQ issues.

Yuval David’s acting credits include “Madam Secretary” ABC’s popular primetime series, “What Would You Do” as well as countless feature and short films and web series. Yuval effortlessly oscillates between roles, changing personas, seamlessly shifting accents and going from loveable lead to malicious miscreant on a dime, making him one of the busiest working actors in film, TV, theatre and voice overs today. He also creates content about environmental and societal issues, creatively exploring the documentary format and how to have social impact through an artistic film format. He can be seen next on HBO’s TV mini-series, “The Plot Against America,” with Winona Ryder and John Turturro. (Photo Credit: Leslie Hassler)

For More Info: yuvaldavid.com

LISTEN: 500+ LGBTQ Chats @OUTTAKE VOICES

Trans activist Monica Roberts who is being honored at the 32nd Creating Change Conference presented by the National LGBTQ Task Force that takes place at the Sheraton Dallas in Dallas, Texas January 15th through January 19th, 2020 talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. Roberts is a longtime award-winning human rights advocate. She has been advocating for the human rights of transgender people for over 20 years with a focus on the issues affecting Black trans people and will be receiving the Susan J. Hyde Award for Longevity in the Movement sponsored by Wild Geese Foundation. This year special focus will address issues facing trans women of color, the work being done to address anti-trans violence and systemic discrimination and moving the movement forward in our work for freedom, justice and liberation. The theme of this year’s Creating Change Conference is “Love, Learning & Liberation” and Rea Carey Task Force Executive Director and Kierra Johnson Deputy Executive Director will host the annual State of the Movement plenary. Though our LGBTQ community and families continue to be under attack by the current administration we know our community is strong, resilient, creative and determined. Since 1988 Creating Change has created networking opportunities and inspiration for thousands of committed people to develop and hone their activist skills. The Creating Change Conference is the foremost political leadership and skills-building conference for the LGBTQ social justice movement. Over 4,000 people from all over the country will attend this five-day program that features over 300 workshops, training sessions, meetings and events. We talked to Monica about what she hopes to accomplish at this year’s Creating Change Conference and her spin on our LGBTQ issues.

LISTEN: 500+ LGBTQ Chats @OUTTAKE VOICES

Pioneer lesbian activist Ruthie Berman talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ about the documentary “Ruthie & Connie: Every Room in the House”. The updated version was directed by three-time Oscar nominee Deborah Dickson and is available on Starz, Amazon and numerous streaming networks. This hour-long vérité documentary explores the lives of Ruthie Berman and Connie Kurtz who met in Brooklyn, New York in the 1950’s and became friends. Both were married to men at the time and had children. Kurtz moved to Israel with her family in 1970 and when she returned to visit America in 1974 she and Ruthie fell in love, divorced their husbands and became a couple. The movie chronicles the struggle this brave couple went through to live their life authentically. One of the clips includes their appearance on The Phil Donahue Show where they publicly came out in 1988. For Connie coming out was liberating but for Ruthie it was wrenching. The journey that followed changes their lives forever and turned them both into national heroines. As a couple they successfully sued the New York City Board of Education for domestic partner benefits winning benefits for all New York City employees in 1994. Berman and Kurtz started branches of Parents, Friends and Family of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) in Florida and New York and in 2000 they began serving as co-chairs of the New York State NOW Lesbian Rights Task Force. They also founded The Answer is Loving Counseling Center and worked there for over twenty years. They were legally married on July 26, 2011 in New York officiated by Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum. We talked to Berman about “Ruthie & Connie: Every Room in the House” and her spin on our LGBTQ issues.

In 2016 Ruthie Berman and Connie Kurtz were honored with the SAGE Pioneer Award presented by Services and Advocacy For LGBTQ Elders. Then in 2017 the Ruthie and Connie LGBT Elder Americans Act of 2017 was introduced to Congress. If passed this bill will amend the Older Americans Act of 1965 to include the specific needs for our LGBTQ community. Sadly Connie Kurtz passed away in 2018 but she lives on in this fabulous documentary that everyone should see and in her art at connieart.com Currently Ruthie lives in Palm Beach County, Florida where she is active in Democratic, LGBTQ, feminist and #BlackLivesMatter politics.

For More Info: ruthieandconniethemovie.com

LISTEN: 500+ LGBTQ Chats @OUTTAKE VOICES

Judy Dlugacz, President & CEO of Olivia Travel talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ about their new campaign aimed at making a political statement with the company’s first-ever billboard in Times Square. The “Because She Said Yes” campaign embodies Olivia’s message of love, acceptance and community projected across three jumbo screens and carries images of LGBTQ women aimed at showcasing the company’s longstanding commitment to equality. The new billboard covers a 7,000-square-foot viewing area that spans 21 floors and can be seen at the intersection of 7th Ave and 42nd Street in Times Square. The billboards feature real Olivia guests and will be displayed through January 31, 2020. The campaign is an important milestone in LGBTQ+ women’s representation in Times Square and is timed to ensure that it will be seen by millions who visit Times Square during the holiday season and tune into the iconic New Year’s Eve broadcasts across the broadcast networks and cable television. In addition Olivia is also launching a contest encouraging LGBTQ+ women to share photos of themselves across social media using the hashtag, #beautifultogether. The company will pick one participant who enters by January 31, 2020 to win a vacation for two to Turks and Caicos Resort II, November 14th to 20th 2020. All entries received before 11:59 PM PT on December 15th 2019 will also be eligible to be featured during the Olivia Times Square billboard campaign. We talked to Judy about what she hopes to accomplish with the “Beautiful Together” campaign and her spin on our LGBTQ issues.

LISTEN: 500+ LGBTQ Chats @OUTTAKE VOICES

Christin Baker, President & CEO of Tello Films talks about her new holiday film “Season of Love” with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. This year with over 100 holiday films shown on the two romantic comedy networks Hallmark and Lifetime sadly none of these films feature an LGBTQ couple. “Season of Love” fills that void and is definitely headed to becoming a classic holiday movie staple in the "Love Actually" genre. Written by Kathryn Trammell and directed by Baker this must-see film is a lighthearted rom-com featuring a large ensemble cast of diverse women and their connected love lives during the hectic holiday period just before Christmas through the New Year who discover love truly is the best gift of all. The stellar cast brings together actresses from classic LGBTQ films and current television shows including Dominique Provost-Chalkley ("Wynonna Earp", "Avengers: Age of Ultron"), Jessica Clark ("True Blood", "A Perfect Ending"), Emily Goss (“Snapshots”), Laur Allen (“Young and the Restless”), Janelle Marie and Sandra Mae Frank ("Deaf West's Spring Awakening", "Daybreak”). “Season of Love” came together from a Queer Holiday Feature Pitch contest and was produced by Tello Films with DASH Productions' Ashley Arnold and Danielle Jablonski. The film also delivers a very Christmassy soundtrack featuring a wide range of original tunes and favorites. We talked to Christin about what she hopes to accomplish with this breakthrough queer holiday film and her spin on our LGBTQ issues.

LISTEN: 500+ LGBTQ Chats @OUTTAKE VOICES

Jeffrey Solomon talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ about his play “The Santa Closet” that premiered Tuesday December 3rd at Teatro Círculo Theater at 64 East 4th Street in NYC with a limited engagement through Sunday December 22nd presented by Houses On The Moon. “The Santa Closet” is an updated version of Solomon’s acclaimed solo play “Santa Claus is Coming Out” which premiered Off-Broadway in 2009. On the 10th anniversary of that production this new version reflects the advances and nuances in our understanding of LGBTQ lives and remains as timely 10 years later as when it first broke ground. In “The Santa Closet” little Gary's gender atypical gift request sent to the North Pole is denied. A series of subsequent heartfelt letters from the child nudge Santa Claus out of the closet right into the center of a heated culture war. The play is directed by Joe Brancato with the creative team including Claire DeLiso (scenic design), Christopher S. Chambers (lighting design), Yana Biryukova (projections design) and Obadiah Eaves (sound design/original music). The Production Stage Manager is Jamie Rose Bukowski. We talked to Jeffrey about what he hopes to accomplish with “The Santa Closet” and his spin on our LGBTQ issues.

LISTEN: 500+ LGBTQ Chats @OUTTAKE VOICES

Joshua Lyon talks about Edie Windsor’s memoir “A Wild And Precious Life” published by St. Martin’s Press with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. Lyon began collaborating with Windsor before her passing in 2017 and completed the memoir with cooperation from Edie’s spouse Judith Kasen-Windsor who provided Edie’s extensive archive of personal papers dating back to the 1940s. “A Wild And Precious Life” shares intimate fascinating details of Windsor’s personal life, career pursuits and loves from her adventures in Greenwich Village lesbian bars in the 1950s while pursuing a master’s degree in mathematics at NYU to her extensive work at IBM as well as her activist awakening and epic love affair with Thea Spyer. Edie met Spyer in the 1960’s whose Dutch Jewish family had fled the Nazis and went on to become a successful clinical psychologist whose work was crucial during the AIDS crisis counseling our LGBTQ community. Their partnership lasted 44 years until Thea’s passing in 2009. With the federal government refusing to acknowledge their Canadian marriage Windsor was then required to pay $363,053 in federal estate taxes on her wife's estate which led to the 2013 Supreme Court case United States v. Windsor that successfully overturned Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act leading to marriage equality becoming the law of the land in 2015. Edie found love again marrying Judith Kasen-Windsor in 2016 who stated, “With irreverent and unexpected stories this memoir chronicles the struggles and passions that drove her extraordinary life. It’s an important part of her legacy, a gift to all who will continue her message of hope, strength and courage. Edie proved that love does, in fact, win.” We talked to Joshua about what he hopes to accomplish with this book and his spin on our LGBTQ issues.

Joshua Lyon is an American journalist and the author of “Pill Head: The Secret Life of a Painkiller Addict”. He has ghostwritten several New York Times bestselling memoirs for celebrities and LGBTQ icons and activists. Lyon stated, “Collaborating with Edie was the most thrilling and humbling experience of my career. I’m so excited for the world to learn even more about this fiercely intelligent and wildly funny woman, a true lover and fighter who continues to inspire.” The title of the memoir “A Wild And Precious Life” comes from a line in the poem “A Summer Day” by Mary Oliver which Hillary Clinton quoted in her eulogy for Edie.

For More Info: us.macmillan.com

LISTEN: 500+ LGBTQ Chats @OUTTAKE VOICES

Gretchen Wylder the creator and writer of “These Thems” an award-winning intersectional queer comedy series talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. “These Thems” directed by Jett Garrison is a seven episode fully narrative digital series that follows the lives of a newly out lesbian making up for lost time, a non-binary educator intent on training the straights, a transgender man who is comfortably in the closet and a lovelorn gay best friend. In our world where plenty of people are living beyond the gender binary very few explicitly non-binary characters are represented in mainstream media. Non-binary gender identity may be one of the least understood labels falling under the LGBTQ+ umbrella simply because it’s also one of the least visible. Wylder is among the very few writers and show creators paying consideration to non-binary identities and gender non-conformity that’s moving the needle for accurate depiction. “These Thems” explores themes of queerness, gender identity, coming out, sexual empowerment, acceptance and self expression taking the audience through New York's vibrant LGBTQ+ community. Since its U.S. Premiere at Outfest the series has traveled the festival circuit winning a Jury Award for Best Series and an Audience Award for Best Comedy Film. The series tells the story of Gretchen played by Wylder who after realizing she may be a lesbian quickly befriends non-binary dog walker Vero (Victoria “Vico” Ortiz) who decides to stop training dogs and start training the straights. Vero takes Gretchen under their wing and introduces Gretchen to the queer world as she navigates what it's like to be newly out at the age of 30. Vero's childhood friend Asher (Shaan Dasani) isn't out as trans at work and is faced with the decision to out himself when an opportunity for an LGBTQ account pops up. Gretchen's gay best friend and roommate Kevin (Nick Park) is looking for love and may have found it in Asher. We talked to Wylder about what she hopes to accomplish with “These Thems” and her spin on our LGBTQ issues.

LISTEN: 500+ LGBTQ Chats @OUTTAKE VOICES