OUTTAKE VOICES™ (Interviews)

Filmmaker Jota Mun talks about “Between Goodbyes” with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ that POV will debut on PBS at 10P Monday December 8th. The film follows a Korean adoptee reconnecting with her original mother in Seoul as she unravels decades of silence, stigma, confronting long-held regrets while facing cultural misunderstandings with tenderness, humor and resilience. “Between Goodbyes” is an open love letter to all original mothers who have suffered from family separation providing a deeper understanding about how the adoption industry affects families globally. As a Korean adoptee Mun’s lived experience brings personal insight and uncommon intimacy to a story that reframes conventional narratives about adoption and kinship. Jota filmed “Between Goodbyes” during the years leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic through 2021. Archival photos and footage trace the family’s milestones including a reunion in the Netherlands in 2002, time together in South Korea in 2016 and another visit in 2021. Through candid conversations with siblings and extended family “Between Goodbyes” reveals how secrecy and migration intersect inviting audiences into a story that is as complicated as it is loving. Featured in the film are participants Okgyun Kang, Mieke Murkes and Ruth Chon. “Between Goodbyes” made its world premiere at the 2024 DMZ International Film Festival winning the Emerging Filmmaker Award for Jota. The film also won the Special Jury Award for Feature Documentary at the 2024 Santa Fe International Film Festival and was an Official Selection of 2024 DOC NYC. We talked to Jota about the inspiration for “Between Goodbyes” and Mun’s spin on our LGBTQ issues.  Jota Mun directed and produced “Between Goodbyes” along with Zoe Sua Cho and Barb Lee, a Jjigae Productions with Point Made Films and Avonhead co-production. The director of photography was Jimin Lee with editor Michelle Chang. Sound design was by Sung Rok Choi and composer Gene Back. The executive producers were Alex Gibney, Maiken Baird and Erika Dilday and Chris White for American Documentary. “Between Goodbyes” premieres on POV the multi-Emmy®, Oscar® and Peabody Award-winning PBS documentary series December 8th.    For More Info… LISTEN: 600+ LGBTQ Chats @OUTTAKE VOICES

Tim Mendelson who was the longtime executive assistant to legendary actress Elizabeth Taylor and is currently a trustee and officer of The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF) talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ about Taylor's legacy. Tim worked fulltime for Taylor from the early 1990s until her death in 2011 beginning as a freelance production assistant in 1984 but after assisting with Taylor's "White Diamonds" perfume tour in 1991 she hired him as her secretary. He eventually became her executive assistant and worked with her closely on her charitable endeavors including her fight against AIDS. Mendelson and Taylor developed a close and trusting relationship over their decades together. As a trustee of her estate and The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation he continues Taylor's humanitarian work. Tim personally witnessed Elizabeth’s passionate drive to help people affected by HIV/AIDS with an immediacy that she felt was crucial for this fight. Currently Tim remains dedicated to keeping Elizabeth’s voice and spirit pre-eminent in HIV/AIDS activism for the purpose of ensuring it is at the forefront of current actions concerning this global pandemic. Mendelson has appeared in documentaries related to Elizabeth Taylor including the fabulous film “Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes” (2024) on MAX. Now with thousands of Gen Z and Gen Alpha fans newly discovering Elizabeth through Taylor Swift’s new album it’s a perfect time to highlight what this fierce ally brought to our LGBTQ community through her lifetime. We talked to Tim about what he would like to accomplish with Elizabeth Taylor’s legacy and his spin on our LGBTQ issues.  Elizabeth Taylor co-founded The Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR) in 1985 and regularly lobbied President Ronald Reagan and Congress to address the epidemic. She established The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF) in 1991 to provide direct care along with love and moral support to the most vulnerable patients. Today ETAF carries forward Elizabeth’s mission with heart and hope until the end of HIV/AIDS. Tim Mendelson worked as Elizabeth’s executive assistant for over 20 years and currently serves as Co-Trustee of her estate per her request. He personally witnessed Elizabeth’s passionate drive to help people affected by HIV/AIDS and remains dedicated to keeping Elizabeth’s voice and spirit pre-eminent in HIV/AIDS activism.  For More Info… LISTEN: 600+ LGBTQ Chats @OUTTAKE VOICES

Jeff Copeland talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ about his new book “Love You Madly, Holly Woodlawn” published by Feral House. The memoir depicts how an unlikely friendship evolved between a young gay writer and Holly Woodlawn one of Andy Warhol’s superstars from the films “Trash” and “Women in Revolt” as well as being Lou Reed's Holly in the hit glam rock song "Walk on the Wild Side". The book is based on the lengthy collaboration between Jeff and Holly as they created the bestselling 1991 autobiography “A Low Life in High Heels: The Holly Woodlawn Story”. For the trash mondo fans this must-read book is a pure delight and a refreshing escape from current affairs. Holly is the embodiment of Auntie Mame and Bette Davis fueled by chardonnay introducing Jeff to the glamorous and sometimes larcenous world of a Warhol Superstar. In turn Jeff uses his writing and typing talent to give Holly the second chance at the fame she craves. This wild read that you just can’t put down takes you on a ride through Hollywood in the late 1980’s through the 90’s. Many of the named people in this literary extravaganza are real and some are famous so you’ll probably recognize those but other names have been changed to protect the innocent and not so innocent’s privacy. The layout and design by Ron Kretsch illustrating Copeland’s journey also adds a timeless dimension with fabulous Hollywood montages and rare photos. We talked to Jeff about his inspiration for writing “Love You Madly, Holly Woodlawn” and his spin on moving forward in the current political climate.  Jeff Copeland served as a writer/producer for almost thirty years in Hollywood for a variety of TV networks and film studios including Discovery, Animal Planet, HGTV, ABC, FOX and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Copeland also spent two years working with Garry Shandling which led to a corporate position with Sony Pictures Television. Jeff additionally devoted years developing scripts to be made into feature films. Currently he’s turning some of those scripts into literary applications.  For More Info…  LISTEN: 600+ LGBTQ Chats @OUTTAKE VOICES

In the conclusion of our audio montage series celebrities and filmmakers talk with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ at the 27th Provincetown International Film Festival (PIFF). First we talked with Christine Vachon whose production company Killer Films has produced many acclaimed independent films including Far from Heaven, Boys Don't Cry, One Hour Photo, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Go Fish, Swoon and Carol. She also produced the HBO miniseries Mildred Pierce. Vachon received her first Academy Award nomination in 2023 for Past Lives and recently produced Materialists starring Dakota Johnson. Christine serves on the PIFF’s Advisory Board. Next we talked to Sophie Hyde and Aud Mason Hyde about their film Jimpa starring Olivia Colman and John Lithgow that premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and was directed by Sophie. The film is about Hannah (Olivia Colman) and her non-binary teenager Frances (Aud Mason Hyde) who visits her gay grandfather (John Lithgow) in Amsterdam. We talked about the film and LGBTQ issues in Australia their native country.  Then we talked with Michael Koehler who directed the documentary SPIRITUS: No Business like Dough Business which explores the history and culture of Spiritus Pizza in Provincetown, MA. This film explores the rich history of one of the oldest family-run businesses in Ptown highlighting the challenges faced by the business, the LGBTQ community and the AIDS crisis against the backdrop of the conservative Puritanical attitudes in the town during the 1970s and 1980s. We concluded our audio montage with Claire Titelman who’s working on developing her short Remember Me into a feature film. The film is autobiographic about after a series of personal setbacks 40-year-old Claire moves back home to care for her ailing father. Despite her challenging circumstances she musters the courage to re-enter the dating scene.    The Provincetown Film Society, Inc. (PFS) is a non-profit year-round organization and home of the Provincetown International Film Festival. PIFF creates a unique international platform for the west and east coast entertainment industry to experience the diversity and community of Provincetown. PFS is also dedicated to showcasing the work of acclaimed and emerging directors, producers and actors.  For More Info… LISTEN: 600+ LGBTQ Chats @OUTTAKE VOICES

Filmmakers at the 27th Provincetown International Film Festival (PIFF) talk with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ in the first part this two-part audio montage series. First we talked with Emmy-winning actor Murray Bartlett and star of “The White Lotus” who was recipient of this year’s Excellence in Acting Award. Bartlett talks about being honored and staring in the PIFF feature film “Ponyboi” directed by Esteban Arango with screenplay by River Gallo based upon Gallo’s short film. It also stars Gallo, Dylan O'Brien, Victoria Pedretti and Indya Moore. Murray known for his expansive work in HBO’s “The Last of Us”, “Looking” and Hulu’s “Welcome to Chippendales” also gave us his spin on our LGBTQ issues. Then we chatted with director Megan Rossman whose short film “We’ll Carry On Alright” was selected as Best Documentary Short at this year’s PIFF. Megan talks about how her film focuses on the friendship between Mabel Hampton an African American lesbian activist and Joan Nestle a white Jewish lesbian professor who is 40 years her junior. Ms. Hampton cared for Joan as a child and roles reversed when Joan cared for Ms. Hampton at the end of her life. Rossman talks about her inspiration for making this film and her spin on our current LGBTQ issues. Next we talked to director Carmen Emmi about his film “Plainclothes” that won the PIFF Audience Award / Best Narrative Feature. Carmen shared experiences about making the film set in 1990s New York and inspired by true events about a working-class undercover officer whose job was to entrap and apprehend gay men only to find himself drawn to one of his targets. We talked to Emmi about what he would like to accomplish with his career and his spin on our current civil rights issues. We concluded the first part of our two-part series with directors Jackie Reeves and Lauren Wolk who talk about their film “The Art of Survival (Unafraid)”. The film is a collection of five short animated films that explore what it means to persist in an increasingly precarious world. Each film fuses animation, poetry and music to confront themes of identity, resilience, and resistance. Raw and unfiltered these pieces reflect the struggle to remain creative, truthful and whole while facing personal and societal pressures.  The Provincetown Film Society, Inc. (PFS) is a non-profit year-round organization and home of the Provincetown International Film Festival. PIFF creates a unique international platform for the west and east coast entertainment industry to experience the diversity and community of Provincetown. PFS is also dedicated to showcasing the work of acclaimed and emerging directors, producers and actors.  For More Info… LISTEN: 600+ LGBTQ Chats @OUTTAKE VOICES

Chrystina Obleschuk, Director of Programs at the Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ about their free Health Summit that takes place on June 3rd at the Mack Experience Center in Allentown, PA. The Summit will feature expert speakers and findings from their LGBTQ Health Needs Assessment Survey taken by thousands of participants in 2024 covering many aspects of health and well-being from mental health to basic needs for our community. To kick off the summit Keynote Speaker Tommy Walcott-Lee a queer public health scholar, educator and advocate will address bringing together LGBTQ health, human rights and global justice. Special featured speakers will include (ret) Admiral Rachel Levine, MD who has not only been a pioneer for health in the state of Pennsylvania as Secretary of Health and Physician General but also for the nation at large having served as the 17th Assistant Secretary for Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In addition Adrian Shanker founding Executive Director of Bradbury-Sullivan will speak who went on to serve in the Biden-Harris Administration as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health Policy and Senior Advisor on LGBTQI+ Health Equity at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and previously served as a member of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS. Adrian has also edited two anthologies “Bodies and Barriers: Queer Activists on Health” and “Crisis and Care: Queer Activist Responses to a Global Pandemic”. There will be panels as well with crucial information and guidance to assist LGBTQ orgs with policies, advocacy, grant writing and funding in these challenging times. We talked to Chrystina about what she hopes to accomplish with Bradbury-Sullivan Health Summit and her spin on our LGBTQ issues.  Chrystina Obleschuk, MPH in her role at Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center oversees the Center’s programming, including health promotion campaigns, PA LGBTQ Health Needs Assessment, advocacy, community-building groups and youth programming. Chrystina has her Master’s in Public Health from Boston University and her BS in Biology and Public Health from Muhlenberg College. Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center creates a vibrant LGBTQ community in Pennsylvania through arts, health, youth, training and Pride programs.                         For More Info…  LISTEN: 600+ LGBTQ Chats @OUTTAKE VOICES

Author Sarah Schulman talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ about her new book “The Fantasy and Necessity of Solidarity” published by Penguin Random House. Schulman is a longtime social activist from the fight for abortion rights in post-Franco Spain to NYC’s AIDS activism in the 1990s to campus protest movements against Israel’s war on Gaza and beyond bringing her own experience growing up as a queer female artist in male-dominated culture industries. In these challenging times as our democracy is at a moral crossroad, this must-read book couldn’t be more timely. For those who seek to combat injustice, solidarity with the oppressed is one of the highest ideals yet it does not come without complication. In this searing yet uplifting book Sarah delves into the intricate and often misunderstood concept of solidarity to provide a new vision for what it means to engage in this work and why it matters. Here in America with this new administration we’re beginning to understand and realize that the only people that will save us from this authoritarian regime are ourselves. Drawing parallels between queer, Jewish, feminist and artistic struggles for justice Schulman challenges the traditional notion of solidarity as a simple union of equals arguing that in today’s world of globalized power structures true solidarity requires the collaboration of bystanders and conflicted perpetrators with the excluded and oppressed. Currently in America we are learning that action comes at a cost and it is not always as effective as we would like it to be but doing nothing is far more dangerous. We talked to Sarah about these current issues and her inspiration for writing “The Fantasy and Necessity of Solidarity”.  Sarah Schulman is a novelist, playwright, screenwriter, nonfiction writer and AIDS historian. Her books include The Gentrification of the Mind, Conflict Is Not Abuse and Let the Record Show: A Political History of ACT UP New York, 1987–1993 and the novels The Cosmopolitans and Maggie Terry. Schulman’s honors include a Fulbright in Judaic Studies, a Guggenheim in Playwriting and honors from Lambda Literary, the Publishing Triangle, NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists, the American Library Association and others. Her writing has appeared in The New Yorker, New York, Harper’s Magazine, The Atlantic, The Nation, The New Republic, The New York Times and The Guardian. Schulman holds an endowed chair in creative writing at Northwestern University and is on the advisory board of Jewish Voice for Peace.  For More Info… LISTEN: 600+ LGBTQ Chats @OUTTAKE VOICES

Activist Cathy Marino-Thomas talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ about the current state of our LGBTQ community especially with our transgender, intersex and non-binary American citizens being targeted by the new administration. Most recently the National Park Service has deleted references to transgender and queer people by removing the “TQ” part of the LGBTQ acronym from the Stonewall National Monument website that launched a massive rally in NYC on Valentines Day.  Marino-Thomas who is one of the rally organizers stresses to our audience that this is no time to stay at home. We need to show up and speak out and not allow 50 years of LGBTQ civil rights progress be ripped away with executive orders attempting to erase our history and our community. The new administration is trying to scapegoat our community in an attempt to distract the country to what is really happening to all of our freedoms. This isn’t the first time our LGBTQ community has been targeted by an administration’s hatred and lack of understanding of who we are. When Republican Dwight Eisenhower was elected President he issued Executive Order 10450 in 1953 that revoked Truman’s Executive Order 9835 of 1947 and dismantled Truman’s Loyalty Board Program. This resulted in 5,000 federal gays and lesbians to be fired in government that began the Lavender Scare witch hunt of the 1950’s and continued until 1975. We talked to Cathy about what can we do to ensure our LGBTQ community moves forward in the current Trump administration and her spin on our LGBTQ issues.  Cathy Marino-Thomas spent many years with the Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) Buddy Program visiting people afflicted with HIV/AIDS and assisting them with daily chores, advocacy and information. She worked on the issue of marriage equality since 1998 serving as Executive Director of Marriage Equality NY for 3 years (2005 - 2008) and Board President for 6 years. After merging Marriage Equality NY with Marriage Equality USA 2011 she served as Co-President of Marriage Equality USA for 3 years until retiring in 2014. Cathy has spoken all over the country about the rights, privileges and obligations that protect families only through the right to civil marriage. Currently Cathy is proud to be a board member of the Stonewall Democrats of New York as well as Gilbert Baker Foundation which has joined forces with the ACLU to fight more than 60+ US communities who have banned the Rainbow Flag the global symbol of LGBTQ equality that was recently banned from federal buildings by the new administration. For More Info… LISTEN: 600+ LGBTQ Chats @OUTTAKE VOICES

Author Molly Booker talks with with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ about her new must-read memoir “Magic In The Mess” available on 10/10 Press. In these challenging times it’s crucial to know you’re not alone in navigating through your personal struggles no matter what they might be. By sharing her own intimate account the memoir opens with the vivid moment that epitomized her inner turmoil symbolizing the chaos she sought to hide from the world reminding us all that life’s “mess” is often where the magic begins. Booker masterfully illustrates her inspirational story in this candid exploration of identity, resilience and self-acceptance taking the readers on a journey of transformation and healing. With raw honesty and unfiltered vulnerability Molly shares the challenges of navigating a world filled with societal expectations, gender norms and personal upheaval. From her childhood struggles with perfectionism and belonging to her adult quest for authenticity and love “Magic In The Mess” invites readers to discover their strength amid life’s messiness. Booker writes, “The road ahead may still be uncertain but in the chaos I find the opportunity for rebirth. The journey continues, not as a quest to escape failures but as a celebration of resilience and self-discovery. As the sun sets on the landscape of my past I welcome the darkness as a canvas for a new dawn. The alchemy of transformation begins and I carry the lessons of my messy magic into the unfolding chapters of my life.” As we enter into 2025 this memoir could not be more timely in our unfathomable world. We talked to Molly about what she hopes to accomplish with her memoir “Magic In The Mess” and her spin on our LGBTQ issues.  Molly Booker is a passionate author, speaker and advocate for authenticity, self-discovery and mental health. As a suicide prevention advocate and champion for the LGBTQ community, Molly's background in ministry and personal journey resonate deeply with many. She shares her story to inspire others to embrace their true selves and find joy in life's messiness.  For More Info… LISTEN: 600+ LGBTQ Chats @OUTTAKE VOICES

Alexis Stratton talks about the new book “Trans Kids, Our Kids” with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ co-authored with Adam Polaski and Rev.Jasmine Beach-Ferrara from the Campaign for Southern Equality and released by Ig Publishing. In these unprecedented times “Trans Kids, Our Kids” provides a narrative look into the challenges facing our transgender young people. This is especially crucial after the recent GOP presidential campaign distorted and targeted transgender issues to regain control of the White House. The new book provides a truthful blueprint addressing trans youth issues by taking a storytelling approach in capturing how people all across the country are meeting the moment to support, protect and live in solidarity with transgender youth and their families. The book is based on more than 50 interviews with transgender youth, their parents and the medical providers, advocates and faith leaders who are leading the fight against the wave of discriminatory legislation that has flooded statehouses since 2022. One primary focus of “Trans Kids, Our Kids” is the attack on trans youth’s access to gender-affirming care. Less than two years ago there weren’t any states that had such bans in effect. Currently there are now 26 states that have bans or restricted transgender youth from accessing hormone therapy with the issue coming before the Supreme Court in the case United States v. Skrmetti with oral arguments on December 4th. Campaign for Southern Equality (CSE) through their Trans Youth Emergency Project have supported more than 1,000 families of transgender youth in navigating healthcare bans. Since the launch of the project in 2023 CSE has distributed more than $600,000 in direct emergency grants to families and community partners across 26 states. We talked to Alexis about what they hope to accomplish with “Trans Kids, Our Kids” and their spin on our LGBTQ issues.  Alexis Stratton has an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC. and their stories and essays have appeared in storySouth, Hayden's Ferry Review, Matador Review and Oyez Review among other publications. In 2022 Alexis’ chapbook “Anywhere Else but Here” was published by Fjords Review and in 2023 won the James River Writers’ and Richmond Magazine’s Best Unpublished Novel Contest. Alexis lives in Richmond, VA. and works as a freelance writer and an LGBTQ rights advocate. Campaign for Southern Equality is based in Asheville, NC. promoting full LGBTQ equality across the South. Their work is rooted in commitments to equity in race, gender and class. Through their Trans Youth Emergency Project they support families of trans youth who are impacted by anti-transgender healthcare bans in the South. All royalties from book sales of “Trans Kids, Our Kids” will benefit this project.  For More  Info… LISTEN: 600+ LGBTQ Chats @OUTTAKE VOICES

Filmmaker Marco Calvani talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ about “High Tide” his feature film debut that stars Marco Pigossi (Lourenço) as a Brazilian undocumented immigrant adrift Provincetown in the late summer. The film is about a young man coping after a break up & left adrift in Ptown with his travel visa running out. Lourenço then meets Maurice a Black American & a romance evolves. Though Maurice’s comes with a circle of friends he’s is also quite aware he’s the minority in a predominantly white queer tourist mecca. Pigossi gives a haunting performance steeped in melancholy & raw pain but delivers moments of openness, optimism & joy with an affective portrait of the depths LGBTQ men experience seeking meaningful connections. As the summer season fades & with his unexpected romance with Maurice together the two reconcile the pasts they’ve left behind & pursue their uncertain futures. The film distributed by Strand Releasing premiered at South by Southwest & was released in NYC earlier this month followed by an expansion to Los Angeles & will begin a run at Waters Edge Cinema in Provincetown & Coolidge Corner Theater in Brookline, MA on Friday November 1st. The stellar cast also includes James Bland as Maurice, Marisa Tomei as Miriam, Bill Irwin as Scott, Sean Mahon as Bob, Mya Taylor as Crystal, Bryan Batt as Todd, Todd Flaherty as Leslie, Karl Gregory as BJ & João Santos as Dimo with a haunting score by Sebastian Plano.  Marco Calvani is an Italian playwright, director, filmmaker, translator & actor. Trained as an actor since he was a teenager Calvani made his debut as a playwright in 2002 with Quasi commissioned by the European Social Forum. Prior to his first feature film High Tide which had its world premiere at SXSW in March 2024 he wrote & directed the short film The View from Up Here starring Melissa Leo & Leïla Bekhti based on his eponymous play originally commissioned by The Actors Studio & directed by Estelle Parsons. As of 2020 Marco  is in a relationship with Brazilian actor Marco Pigossi. LISTEN: 600+ LGBTQ Chats @OUTTAKE VOICES

Activist Rev. Irene Monroe talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ about appearing in our issue driven non-partisan VOTE PSA Campaign we’ve launched on social media and beyond to get the VOTE OUT. As early voting has begun in states across the country OUTTAKE MEDIA™ has spearheaded this timely and compelling VOTE PSA Campaign to bring our LGBTQ community and marginalized grassroots groups together about the importance of voting. Not only will this campaign get people to vote it will also address our issues. Whether you’re Christian, Muslim, Catholic, Jewish, Indigenous or LGBTQ we need to come together now or possibly lose our rights. In our VOTE PSA Rev. Monroe addresses these issues including women’s rights and the rise of hate crimes as we head into a presidential election questioning our Democracy. The campaign is directed by C. Fitz (Queen Sugar, One Perfect Shot), West Coast producer Lissa Forehan (More Beautiful for Having Been Broken) and performing the closing tagline song “Vote For A Working America” is Broadway/Cabaret Diva Ann Hampton Callaway. Produced in the historic Calderwood Studio at WGBH in Boston we want to thank our GBH team including Terry Quinn Director of Studio Operations, Phil Reilly Set Design and Lighting Director, Howard Powell Cinematographer, Beth Godlin Lillis Post Production Manager, Editor Deb Holland and Juan José Cadena Duenas Studio Operations Manager. This is a full circle experience for Executive Producer Charlotte Robinson who began her stellar career at WGBH as assistant to Paula Apsell, Senior Executive Producer Emerita NOVA at GBH. We talked to Rev. Irene Monroe about the significance of this VOTE PSA Campaign and her spin on our LGBTQ issues.    Rev. Irene Monroe graduated from Wellesley College and Union Theological Seminary at Columbia University and served as a pastor at an African-American church in New Jersey before receiving her doctorate at Harvard Divinity School as a Ford Fellow. She was instrumental in Union United Methodist Church a predominately African American church in Boston's South End becoming a Reconciling Congregation first in New England. Monroe’s syndicated religion columns appear in Bay Windows, Cambridge Chronicle, Dig Boston, Curve and in several cities across the country and in the UK and Canada. Monroe is the Boston voice for Detour’s African American Heritage Trail and History UnErased. Monroe is a founder and now member emeritus of several national LGBTQ Black and religious organizations and currently can be heard on the podcast and standing Boston Public Radio segment “All Rev’d Up” on WGBH-FM. WATCH VIDEO    LISTEN: 600+ LGBTQ Chats @OUTTAKE VOICES

Mariah Hanson, founder and producer of The Dinah the most renowned annual music festival for queer women that’s celebrating its 33rd year and takes place September 25th through September 29th in Palm Springs, CA talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. The Dinah is continuing its legend with a show-stopping entertainment line-up at one of Palm Springs’ most historic hotels the Margaritaville formerly The Riviera. This glamorous venue will host The Black and White Ball in the Grand Ballroom Friday night September 27th with award-winning artist Lauren Jauregui the multi-platinum Cuban American singer-songwriter and former member of girl group Fifth Harmony. Then on Saturday night September 28th performing at The Hollywood Party is the multi-talented Brooklyn native Iniko who will take center stage as a proud non-binary artist. Iniko uses their music on behalf of the queer community after rising to fame in 2018 and amassing a huge following on TikTok crossing the 4 million follower mark. Iniko’s songs “The King’s Affirmation” and “Jericho” achieved viral success by reaching over 25 million Spotify streams. That success led to a nomination for Outstanding Music Artist at the 2024 GLAAD Media Awards and a Billboard chart debut. Also bringing glitz and glamour to the Dinah’s Hollywood Party is Lauren Sanderson. Of course during the daytime there will be The Dinah’s legendary pool parties showcasing a string of galvanizing queer emerging performers. Whitney Peyton the multi-Billboard-charting, Grammy Award Winning contributing rapper, songwriter and performer will kick off the pool party weekend series Friday afternoon September 27th. The Dinah will also present world-famous DJs, go-go dancers, red carpet events with celebrity guests, dance parties, meet & greets and so much more. We talked to Mariah about what she hopes to accomplish with The Dinah this year and her spin on our LGBTQ issues.  Mariah Hanson continues to utilize The Dinah as a platform to mobilize our LGBTQ community around humanitarian and social issues especially during this crucial election year. 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. OUTTAKE MEDIA has been a proud Media Sponsor of The Dinah for the last eight years.  For More Info & Tix… LISTEN: 600+ LGBTQ Chats @OUTTAKE VOICES

Transgender acrobat Toni Cannon talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ about Circus Bella's show "WOW!" that celebrated its 15th annual Circus in the Parks Season in San Francisco, CA. This fabulous exhilarating show that launched last month delighted and astonished audiences of all ages. "WOW!" offered a modern twist on one-ring circus and captivated a blend of circus enchantment and madcap mayhem. Circus Bella’s diverse troupe of acrobats, aerialists, jugglers and clowns from the Bay Area and beyond performed to the lively tunes of Rob Reich and the 6-piece Circus Bella All-Star Band. Circus Bella thrives in its mission to produce and present high-quality Circus Arts entertainment accessible to all audiences. Their vision is to be a classical circus attuned to the present. They pursue excellence in a modern one-ring circus combining past traditions with forward-thinking sensibilities and flair. Circus Bella honors diversity and universal human potential as a proud member of the multinational circus community. In celebrating the beauty of circus art they delight in unifying people with experiences that cross age, culture and language barriers with joyous performances. Circus Bella new show "WOW!" was written and directed by Abigail Munn with music composed by Rob Reich and costumes by Autumn Adamme. We talked to Toni about what he hopes to accomplish performing with Circus Bella and his spin on our LGBTQ issues.  Toni Cannon is consistently working on finding new ways to express himself through acrobatics. He finds the challenge thrilling and very relatable to life’s challenges. Toni started his circus career later in life however that didn’t stop him from diving deep into his newfound love and passion. He has been lucky enough to train under some great coaches like Master Lu Yi and Dominik Wyss learning disciplines like Chinese pole, partner acrobatics and Hand-to-hand. He has been a part of some amazing companies and productions like Topsy Turvy Circus and Circus Bella where he also performs during their Winter Big Top Spectacular “Kaleidoscope” coming in December.    For More Info…  LISTEN: 600+ LGBTQ Chats @OUTTAKE VOICES

LGBTQ Filmmakers at the 26th annual Provincetown International Film Festival talk with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ in this exclusive audio montage that took place at the Boatslip Resort & Beach Club in Provincetown, MA. First we talked to director Stephen Soucy about his documentary “Merchant Ivory” that pulls back the curtain on the fascinating lives of filmmakers Ismail Merchant and James Ivory. Their unique partnership on and off the camera produced 43 groundbreaking films over 4 decades that left an indelible mark on the LGBTQ and arthouse cinema. The documentary features interviews with Vanessa Redgrave, Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Helena Bonham Carter and many others who were lucky enough to move in the orbit of Merchant and Ivory’s fabulous filmmaking. Next we chatted with director Fawzia Mirza and producer Andria Wilson Mirza about their feature film “The Queen of My Dreams”. The film is about a Pakistani Canadian woman who has had a strained relationship with her parents since coming out as lesbian and undergoes an emotional journey after the sudden unexpected death of her father. Her grief plunges her into a Bollywood-style examination of her family’s past and present. Then we talked with director Taylor James, actor Kanoa Goo and producer Katie White about their short film “ILY, BYE” about when an unemployed, down on her luck woman (Megan Stalter) gets a life-changing job opportunity but she can't seem to get her foot out of her mouth long enough to get her foot in the door.    Next we talked to Tyler C. Peterson about his short film “Stan Behavior” about a drag queen (Ginger Minj) embarking on a quest for better workplace rights but finds herself in a dicey situation when her new lawyer (Yvonne Zima) a tone-deaf straight woman is revealed to be a drag super stan. Then we talked with director Sarah McCarron and music producer Rascal Miles about their short film “The Bend” about a trans man migrating from Tennessee to Minneapolis who gets stranded in rural Wisconsin and encounters a fisherman. We then chatted with director Marco Calvani about his feature film “High Tide” that was shot in Provincetown about an undocumented Brazilian immigrant searching for purpose when he encounters Maurice creating a memorable tribute to love and loss. We concluded our conversation with veteran producer Christine Vachon who produced the 2023 Oscar nominated film “Past Lives” about what films she has coming down the pike. We also talked with all the filmmakers about their spin on our LGBTQ issues as we approach the crucial 2024 presidential election.    The Provincetown Film Society, Inc. (PFS) is a non-profit year-round organization and home of the Provincetown International Film Festival. PIFF creates a unique international platform for the west and east coast entertainment industry to experience the diversity and community of Provincetown. PFS is also dedicated to showcasing the work of acclaimed and emerging directors, producers and actors.  For Info… LISTEN: 600+ LGBTQ Chats @OUTTAKE VOICES

Filmmaker Kristen Lovell talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ about the historic Stonewall Riots Reenactment that takes place on June 29th at the Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library in Fort Lauderdale, FL. The reenactment is part of a floor to ceiling interactive Stonewall Inn Bar installation that runs now through September 2nd 2024 before kicking off a national tour. Lovell of HBO's “The Stroll" will portray Gay Liberation Activist Marsha P. Johnson for the reenactment. Johnson was one of the prominent figures in the Stonewall uprising of June 28th 1969 when police raided the establishment resulting in arrests, riots and fire sparking the global LGBTQ human rights movement. Johnson was a founding member of the Gay Liberation Front (GLF) and co-founded the radical activist group Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) alongside close friend Sylvia Rivera. For the first time NYC’s iconic Stonewall Inn will become a nationwide traveling time machine and the set of the historic Stonewall New York Experience reenactment on Saturday June 29th from 4:30P to 7P with local police and other community members playing a role in the reenactment. Visitors are also asked to dress in their 1960s best and consider wearing gender bending clothing which was illegal in 1969. The Stonewall New York Experience was created to remind us all how important bars like the Stonewall Inn and bar culture are to our LGBTQ community. Many of these establishments were a safe haven, others a place to forge friendships, find love and enjoy the freedom of acceptance. As the beloved Stonewall Inn burned to the ground the Stonewall Riots ignited a united front to ban together, to fight together for the indelible human rights that unfortunately many take for granted. We talked to Kristen about what she hopes to accomplish with this historic Stonewall Riots reenactment and give us her spin on our LGBTQ issues.  Kristen Lovell is a trans rights activist, filmmaker and former sex worker. After experiencing homelessness as a teenager in NYC during the late 1990s and early 2000s she went on to work for various organizations advocating for the rights of trans people and sex workers. After studying filmmaking at Lincoln Center she went on to co-direct the documentary film “The Stroll” currently streaming on MAX based in part on her experiences. For over 50 years the Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library in Fort Lauderdale has tirelessly fought to tell the stories of our LGBTQ community ensuring it holds its place in the historic record. For More Info…  LISTEN: 600+ LGBTQ Chats @OUTTAKE VOICES

Alison Burgos talks about the 23rd anniversary of Girls In Wonderland with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ that takes place May 30th through June 3rd in Orlando, Florida. Girls In Wonderland was founded in 2000 by the trio Amy Alonso, Yesenia Leon and Burgos the women behind Pandora Events. This powerhouse lesbian event production company from South Beach has created and produced some of the hottest LGBTQ soirées and music festivals in the US. In a little over two decades the iconic event has become a force on its own with over 10,000 attendees coming from near and far representing all colors of the rainbow and taking over a 700-room resort. The event brings together some of the most influential LGBTQ artists, celebrities, athletes, influencers and changemakers from around the country including Leisha Hailey, Kate Moennig, Fortune Feimster and Chante Wayans to name a few. This year’s event kicks off with a Welcome Happy Hour on Thursday May 30th from 6P to 8P for a mix and mingle with live music by Deb Hundseder followed by the Traffic Jam opening party with special guest DJs Pat Pat, Dlux & Zehno. Friday begins with the Wet Pool Party with Chloe Star performing live, followed by Citizen Jane performance at the L-Lounge Happy Hour and then comedian Kristin Key takes the stage who has appeared at The Improv and on the series Last Comic Standing and Bring the Funny. Friday concludes with Snow Tha Product performance and then the Afterhours Afterglow Party. There will be more epic pool parties and fabulous events throughout the weekend. We talked to Alison about what she hopes to accomplish with Girls In Wonderland this year and her spin on our LGBTQ issues.  Alison Burgos has been a luminary in celebrating lesbian culture, creating spaces like Girls In Wonderland in Orlando, Aqua Girl and the Women’s White Party. Alison's role in advocacy is as dynamic as her event planning. She was a guiding force on the National Advisory Council for the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and takes on leadership roles as the Vice Chair of the Kindred Pride Foundation. Pandora Events commitment to advocacy continues donating over $30,000 each year to support our LGBTQ community including Aqua Foundation for Women, HRC, Care Resource, NVEEE and the National LGBTQ Task Force.  For More Info & Tix… LISTEN: 600+ LGBTQ Chats @OUTTAKE VOICES

Press conference with LGBTQ leaders, legal experts, civil rights leaders and student advocates that Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ attended about the new Title IX rule. The U.S. Department of Education published its final regulatory updates that clarify Title IX protections for LGBTQ students, student survivors of sexual assault and pregnant and parenting students. Consistent with the reasoning of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark Bostock v. Clayton County decision in 2020 the Department now clarifies that harassment on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or sex characteristics violates Title IX’s mandate for federally funded schools to prohibit sex discrimination. In March 2021 President Biden issued Executive Order 14021 beginning the process of undoing the Trump administration’s harmful actions undermining Title IX and protections for LGBTQ students and sexual assault survivors. In this virtual press briefing Shiwali Patel, Director of Justice for Student Survivors and Senior Counsel, National Women’s Law Center conducted this intimate informative session joined by Brandon Wolf, Human Rights Campaign, National Press Secretary, Olivia Hunt, National Center for Transgender Equality Policy Director, Kenyora Parham, End Rape on Campus CEO, Kel O’Hara, Equal Rights Advocates Senior Attorney, Emily Bach & Andrew Davis who are student organizers with Know Your IX A which is a project of advocates for youth and concluded with Melanie Willingham-Jaggers, GLSEN’s Executive Director.  As we celebrate this important milestone to protect our LGBTQ youth there’s still much more work to be done. Schools have also been hampered by extremist efforts at the state and local level to target LGBTQ youth especially transgender, nonbinary and gender-expansive youth. This year alone we’re already dealing with more than 470 anti-LGBTQ bills introduced in state legislatures nationwide mostly targeting our transgender youth. The new Title IX Ruling also does not protect the rights of transgender athletes to play and be part of a team. Every student including LGBTQ students should have equal access to educational opportunities throughout the entirety of their school experience. For More Info… LISTEN: 600+ LGBTQ Chats @OUTTAKE VOICES

Author Rossi talks about her new memoir “The Punk Rock Queen of the Jews” with  Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. “The Punk Rock Queen of the Jews” is published by She Writes Press and filled with fabulous rich characters, hilarious dialogue taking the reader on a ride into a secretive oppressive Jewish Orthodox world and beyond to be released on April 23rd. Rossi grew up in New Jersey where she was expected to just marry a nice Jewish boy and to be a good kosher Jewish girl but by the age of 16 the rebellious Rossi was more interested in exploring the punk rock scene of the 80’s and her sexuality. Then her adventure seeking days came to a screeching halt when her parents kidnapped her and dumped her with a Hasidic rabbi known for reforming wayward Jewish girls in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Rossi was forced to relinquish her pink hair and Sex Pistols T-shirt for maxi skirts and long-sleeved blouses in this repressive, misogynistic culture straight out of the nineteenth century where she endured not only bone-crushing boredom but also outright abuse and violence. Fortunately Rossi knew there was a better future for her as she broke free from her oppressors and made her way to NYC where she thrived. Beginning as a bartender the opportunity arose in the catering industry as she talked her way into any cooking job she could get. Rossi a self-taught chef and self-made entrepreneur ended up launching The Raging Skillet one of the most sought-after catering companies in NYC that Zagat dubbed as “the wildest thing this side of the Mason-Dixon Line”. We talked to Rossi about her inspiration for writing “The Punk Rock Queen of the Jews” and her spin on our LGBTQ issues.  Rossi is the catering director, owner and executive chef of The Raging Skillet for over three decades. She has earned a reputation as the go-to company for out-of-the-box catering and weddings. The Raging Skillet has been voted one of New York's Top Five Wedding Caterers by The Knot from 2009 through 2023. Her first memoir, “The Raging Skillet: The True Life Story of Chef Rossi” was published by The Feminist Press in 2015 and turned into a stage production “Raging Skillet” by playwright Jacques Lamarre that toured nationally. Currently Rossi has written two full-length plays, a number of one-act comedies, a one-woman stage adaptation of Queen of the Jews and numerous screenplays.        For More Info… LISTEN: 600+ LGBTQ Chats @OUTTAKE VOICES

Ann Hampton Callaway talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ about her upcoming performance with the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus (BGMC) on March 16th at Jordan Hall in Boston, MA at 8P. The concert entitled "Melodies for a Movement" will highlight the "Tyler’s Suite" that sheds light on the devastating impact of cyber-harassment and bullying that our LGBTQ youth continue to face. Tyler Clementi was the accomplished violinist who took his life in 2010 after being cyber-bullied by his Rutgers roommate for being gay. This powerful performance will feature a suite in nine movements for chorus with a solo violin performance dedicated to the memory of Tyler Clementi. The "Tyler’s Suite" was created under the leadership of Composer Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin) and explores the voices and experiences of Tyler and his family through the music of eleven of today’s top composers including Ann Hampton Callaway. "Melodies for a Movement" will also feature a cabaret set by Callaway one of America's most gifted and prolific artists. Through the stirring composition of "Tyler’s Suite" and the mesmerizing performance by Ann Hampton Callaway this fabulous concert event will evoke empathy, foster understanding and promote acceptance. Especially in these difficult times with over 600 anti LGBTQ bills in states across the country, women's rights continue to be on the chopping block, antisemitism and hate crimes on the rise all as we head toward the 2024 presidential election. We talked to Ann about what she hopes to accomplish with her music and her spin on our LGBTQ issues.  Ann Hampton Callaway is one of America’s most gifted artists in pop and jazz. A leading champion of the great American Songbook she’s made her mark as a singer, pianist, composer, lyricist, arranger, actress, educator, TV host and producer. Voted by Broadway World as “Celebrity of the Year” and two years in a row as “Best Jazz Vocalist” Ann is a born entertainer. She is best known for Tony-nominated performance in the hit Broadway musical “Swing!” and for writing and singing the theme song to the hit TV series “The Nanny.” Her latest CD “Finding Beauty, Originals Volume 1” premiered number 1 in Jazz on Amazon. Currently Ann is working on “Finding Beauty, Originals Volume 2”. The Boston Gay Men’s Chorus founded in 1982 is one of New England’s largest and most successful community-based choruses consisting of over 200 voices. "Melodies for a Movement" honors Tyler Clementi's memory while igniting the flame of positive change to build a world where every individual is cherished for exactly who they are.  For More Info & Tix… LISTEN: 600+ LGBTQ Chats @OUTTAKE VOICES