OUTTAKE VOICES™ (Interviews)

Robert Kesten, President and CEO of Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library in Fort Lauderdale, Florida talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. Founded in 1973 the Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library has grown into the largest lending library of its kind in the U.S. with more than 34,000 books and audio-visual materials. The archives also contain more than 6 million pages of documents and more than 2,000 objects of critical importance to our LGBTQ history. Rotating exhibitions, talks, lectures and films have attracted thousands to the Stonewall National Museum each year enriching the lives of countless others. Some of the upcoming events include their fourth annual Gala fundraiser where they will ceremoniously and historically induct architect, philanthropist and president of the Arcus Foundation Jon Stryker, retired Congressman Barney Frank and Grammy winning singer-songwriter Janis Ian into its nationally traveling “Standing on the Shoulders of Heroes” exhibition on February 21st. This fabulous fundraising event takes place at The VENUE in Wilton Manors, FL from 6P to 9P for a fabulous night of celebration with cocktails, dinner, conversation and community. Other events include Amazon Rising: The Legacy of Wonder Woman that runs now through February 17th and Sahara: NYC’s Lesbian Legacy that will be on display February 28th to April 5th. Also the Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library in partnership with the LGBTQ Sports Hall of Fame will celebrate the 2026 class of inductees recognizing the achievements and contributions of LGBTQ athletes, coaches, advocates and sports enthusiasts. We talked to Kesten about what he would like to accomplish at the Stonewall National Museum and his spin on our LGBTQ issues.  Robert Kesten is a seasoned nonprofit executive with extensive experience in the for profit and government sectors. Kesten has had the unique experience of working on the break-up of the USSR on the ground in the Soviet Union and being in Tahrir Square during the Arab Spring in Egypt. This has given him a special understanding of human rights, the need for democracy and the role education plays in the transformation of nations and their people. Kesten’s varied career also includes writing and producing an award-winning documentary film on learning the lessons from the Holocaust winning the Jury Prize at the Moscow Film Festival. The Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library is a safe welcoming place that inspires and promotes understanding through collecting, preserving and sharing the proud culture of our LGBTQ community and their significant role in American society.  For More Info… LISTEN: 600+ LGBTQ Chats @OUTTAKE VOICES

Director Sophie Hyde and Aud Mason Hyde talk about their film Jimpa with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™.  Jimpa premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film stars Olivia Colman and John Lithgow and is about when filmmaker Hannah (Colman) and her nonbinary teen, Frances (Aud Mason Hyde) journey to Amsterdam to reconnect with their estranged father and grandfather Jimpa (Lithgow) things unravel in unexpected ways. Frances’ desire to stay with Jimpa for a full year tests Hannah’s beliefs about parenting, identity and family. As tensions surface Jimpa weaves a tender, emotionally charged portrait of queer kinship, legacy and the fragile bonds between parents and children. Directed by Sophie Hyde Jumpa is a semi-autobiographical work from Hyde who stated, “Casting a version of yourself is not an easy task. It’s very tricky to do and so there’s a part of the story that’s incredibly sort of drawing on our real lives and then there’s a whole lot of fiction as well. Obviously there’s Jim and there’s also Aud who is my child and they’re a bit older than Frances, but there’s elements of the relationship between Hannah and Frances that definitely are in us.” Like Hyde Hannah’s a married film artist from Adelaide, the mother of a transgender, nonbinary teenager and the daughter of a father who came out gay when she was a child. We talked to Sophie Hyde and Aud Mason Hyde about their film Jimpa at the Provincetown International Film Festival & their spin on our LGBTQ issues. Sophie Hyde is an acclaimed Australian film director, writer and producer known for intimate character-driven films like 52 Tuesdays, Animals and Good Luck to You, Leo Grande often exploring gender, identity and relationships with unique perspectives. Co-founder of Closer Productions she's celebrated for her Sundance-winning debut 52 Tuesdays her Emma Thompson-led comedy Leo Grande and impactful documentaries, consistently bringing authentic and personal stories to screen. LISTEN: 600+ LGBTQ Chats @OUTTAKE VOICES

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