RECIPROCAL RECOMMENDATIONS AND FREE PUBLICITY

I’d like to invite you to write a brief recommendation of my work that I can include in my LinkedIn profile. You will need to be a member of Linkedin to do this.

MY PROFILE IS HERE: http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/david-equality-watters/23/371/95b

 

Alternatively an endorement for my website would be appreciated and this can be emailed to DavidWatters@nbiassociates.co.uk

I will gladly reciprocate and endorse the work that you do. Top quotes will also be featured on http://www.nbiassociates.co.uk with a link to your site.

Thanks in advance for helping me out. DAVID EQUALITY WATTERS

YOU CAN ENDORSE ME AS A WRITER, PUBLIC SPEAKER OR WORKSHOP PROVIDER – HOWEVER YOU KNOW ME BEST.

LINKS:

WRITING: http://www.ambiente.us/05509JohnAmaechi.html (JOHN AMAECHI)

http://www.ambiente.us/010011Trevor.html (THE TREVOR PROJECT)

PUBLIC SPEAKING: http://www.nbiassociates.co.uk/Motivational-Speaking.html

WORKSHOPS: http://www.nbiassociates.co.uk/default.html

 

David was recently profiled on 10,000 Couples as Someone You Should Know:

http://10thousandcouples.com/issue/april-2011/article/someone-you-should-know-david-e-watters

Since graduating from The Institute of Education, University of London, David has gone on to train with LEAP, as a mediator, and is a qualified facilitator for The Pacific Institute.  He is a writer on social inequality issues, is a key player in the Equal Love Campaign UK and author of the forthcoming book, NEVER BLEND IN which supports and is supported by the Trevor Project and theHarvey Milk Foundation, features key voices from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community including Stephen Fry, Colton Ford, Mike Ruiz, Calpernia Addams, Alan Cumming, Darren Hayes, Lt. Dan Choi, LGBT Olympic athletes, actors, politicians, military, firefighters, Harvey Milk colleagues (Anne Kronenberg, Tom Ammiano and Dan Nicoletta) and has a foreword by Stuart Milk.

This groundbreaking book aims to inspire and encourage those who may lack self-belief or who question their validity.

David is also currently promoting a youtube campaign, “Give ‘em Hope”, and is asking individuals, couples and groups to make and share videos telling about the benefits of living with personal authenticity.

He has shared a platform with Stuart Milk and Peter Tatchell and is a supporter of 17-24-30, The Trevor Project, Schools Out, The Harvey Milk Foundation and has great admiration for the WHOF initiative and all the brave members of this group who speak out against the prejudice and bigotry in our society.

ENDORSEMENTS

COPYRIGHT NOTICE © TEXT & IMAGES

I think that out of everyone in society LGBT people, especially LGBT youth, are subjected to most negative energy and the most negative portrayals of themselves and so it’s really important for us as a community to give back and to let people see that the sun can shine

ALAN CUMMING

http://www.alancumming.com/

Stuart Milk, nephew of Harvey Milk and Equality Advocate, has said: “I love your work, which is vital to show the richness of embracing and celebrating our wonderful diversity. As Harvey would say, you’re bringing medicine into the world that the world needs! Thank you!”

He (Harvey Milk) had great confidence in me; I really felt that the basic message was “you can do it”. He was a cheerleader first and then he would deconstruct content second. I think there was always this attention to helping somebody really feel that they can make their way.

If you look at his speeches that’s there; there’s really this broad stroke that’s about positivity and confidence so you’re on the right path in terms of carrying on his work that way.

DAN NICOLETTA

PETER TATCHELL

http://www.petertatchell.net/

For young people coming to terms with their sexuality it’s really important that they have positive, high achieving role models as a way of boosting their self esteem and confidence. This kind of book shares the experience of a very diverse group of LGBT people. Individual and collective experience offers the inspiration and motivation for LGBT people to do something worthwhile with their lives and live their dream.

There are two ways you can approach not fitting in.  If you get to see it as a blessing, feeling like an Outsider can eventually give you the freedom and license to create your own world, follow your own goals, and make your own reality.  I’ve always thought it must be a lot harder for those who effortlessly belong – how much stronger the temptation to just blend in and be a non-questioning sheep!  Yes, there is pain. Feelings of rejection, confusion, self-doubt.  But think of those negatives in a positive light:  you have the chance to acquire resilience, fortitude, understanding and the realization but you have one life to live, so you absolutely have the right to live it your way!

It’s no shame to get help and inspiration from others, which is why David Watters ‘Never Blend In’, is so timely.

TRISHA GODDARD

…some people growing up LGBT will certainly want affirmation that they are not alone, but they will also (quite rightly IMHO) resist the idea that there is a “type” and that they fall into a categorisation. Such is the human paradox, yearning to assimilated and demanding to be treated as unique and apart. A part of the tribe and apart from the tribe. There are plenty of young LGBT people I know or have known who hate the idea of any sort of ghetto or connection with others. I’m Jewish and I’ll fight against anti-Semitism, but I’ll also raise issues about Israel’s violations of human rights and express my happy atheism and contempt for much of Judaism… It’s not a question of “hurrah, there’s a role model, now I know who I am and who my people are and where I belong in the world.”

Links to MORE of my writing:

AMBIENTE.US, NEVER BLEND IN ARTICLES:

http://www.ambiente.us/05509JohnAmaechi.html

http://www.ambiente.us/08009ChrisMason.html

http://www.ambiente.us/04510JackMackenroth.html

http://www.ambiente.us/06010CrossBurning.html

http://www.ambiente.us/101510PeterTatchell.html

http://www.ambiente.us/110010EqualLove.html

http://www.ambiente.us/021511EqualLove.html

POLARI ARTICLES:

http://www.polarimagazine.com/?p=794

http://www.polarimagazine.com/?p=4818

http://www.polarimagazine.com/?p=5404

MANCHESTER MOUTH (INTERVIEW APRIL 2010):

http://www.manchestermouth.co.uk/index.php?action=content&content_id=27

aechi opens-up on gay issues

http://www.manchestermouth.co.uk/index.php?action=content&content_id=101

10thousand Couples LLC (ARTICLE MAY 2010):

http://10thousandcouples.com/issue/may-2010/article/never-blend-in

 

 

ALAN CUMMING IS…

IN MY BOOK, NEVER BLEND IN.

ALAN CUMMING AND DAVID E WATTERS 2010

NOW ALL I NEED IS A PUBLISHER….

http://www.alancumming.com/

Alan Cumming, OBE, born 27 January 1965, is a multi award winning Scottish stage, television and film actor, writer, director, producer. author (Tommy’s Tale) and humanitarian whose film roles have notably included Boris Grishenko in GoldenEye, Kurt Wagner/Nightcrawler in X2: X-Men United, Mr. Elton in Emma, Fegan Floop in the Spy Kids trilogy, Saturninus in the 1999 Julie Taymor film production of Titus, Alexis in Burlesque, Sebastian in The Tempest

A versatile actor, his stage appearances include Hamlet, the Maniac in Dario Fo’s Accidental Death of an Anarchist, for which he received an Olivier award, the lead in Martin Sherman’s Bent, and as Dionysus in The National Theatre of Scotland’s The Bacchae. On Broadway he has appeared as Mac the Knife in The Threepenny Opera, the Emcee in Cabaret, for which he won the Tony in 1998, and Design for Living.

CABARET

The internationally applauded Cumming is recipient to numerous professional awards and is equally lauded for his selfless commitment to raising funds and awareness for issues impacting the LGBTQ community; Michael Kutza, Founder and Artistic Director of the Chicago International Film Festival presented Cumming with the Artistic Achievement Award as part of the Festival’s OUTrageous program, which celebrates contributions to LGBT film; he received the  Task Force Leadership Award (The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force) in recognition of his significant contribution in the fight for equality; the Point Foundation Courage award; a Proclamation from the State of California; Out On The Edge Award from Theater Offensive for his impact on LGBT culture through bold artistry and leadership; a DC PFLAG Award; an anti violence Courage Award; the Trevor Project Hero Award; the Big Apple Film Festival Golden Apple Award for honorary achievement; the Santa Fe Film Festival Maverick Award for career achievement;  Lambda Liberty Award for his distinguished career and as an LGBT activist and champion for civil marriage equality; the Herald Archangel Award for his performance as Dionysus in the National Theatre of Scotland’s production of The Bacchae at the 2007 Edinburgh International Festival and for his contribution to festivals pasts, including the years in which he performed there as part of the cabaret duo Victor and Barry; University of Abertay, Dundee Honourary Doctorate of Arts for contribution to film, theatre and television and for campaigning in the field of HIV/AIDS education and awareness and, in July 2009,  an O.B.E for services to film, theatre and the arts and to activism for equal rights for the gay and lesbian community; in response to which he said,  “I am really shocked and delighted to receive this honour. I am especially happy to be honoured for my activism as much as for my work. The fight for equality for the LGBT community in the US is something I am very passionate about, and I see this honour as encouragement to go on fighting for what I believe is right and for what I take for granted as a UK citizen. Thank you to the Queen and those who make up her Birthday honours list for bringing attention to the inaction of the US government on this issue. It makes me very proud to be British, and galvanised as an American.”

HE SAYS OF MY BOOK:

I think that out of everyone in society LGBT people, especially LGBT youth, are subjected to most negative energy and the most negative portrayals of themselves and so it’s really important for us as a community to give back and to let people see that the sun can shine

ALAN CUMMING

http://www.alancumming.com/

MORE ABOUT THE BOOK, NEVER BLEND IN:

http://www.nbiassociates.co.uk/About-Us.html

BUY ALAN GOODIES ON AMAZON:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=ALAN+CUMMING&x=0&y=0

OR

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=ALAN+CUMMING&x=0&y=0

 

 

 

AND HERE IS MY PERSONAL FAVORITE:

 

OPEN LETTER TO SANDRA BERNHARD

Dear Miss Bernhard
I am writing a book to support the Trevor Project, NEVER BLEND IN, which is an inspirational collection of interviews with role models; those living authentically – “regular” people and well known contributors including Lt Dan Choi, Stephen Fry, Alan Cumming, Parvez Sharma, Stuart Milk, The Trevor Project, Mike Ruiz, Anthony Rapp (Rent), Calpernia Addams, Darren Hayes, Harvey Milk colleagues (Dan Nicoletta, Anne Kronenberg and Tom Ammiano), Rabbi Denise Eger, Rev David Weekley, amongst many others.

The book is intended to provide a source of inspiration for readers who may question their validity.As someone who lives a life of integrity and authenticity, your voice would be an incredible addition. Can we please arrange an interview whilst you are here in London?  I will be sitting front row, centre, on February 13th at the Leicester Square Theatre so perhaps we could talk beforehand.

Links to verify my validity and to see what the project is all about: http://www.nbiassociates.co.uk

Please get back to me as the book will be missing a vital voice without your contribution.

I also write for http://www.ambiente.us so could perhaps use an edit of the interview to promote you current work.

Best wishes, David E. Watters

never_blend_in@rocketmail.com

IF YOU THINK SANDRA BERNHARD SHOULD BE IN MY BOOK THEN WHY NOT EMAIL OR CALL HER AGENT TO TELL HIM WHY:

Live & Personal Appearances:

For All Acting, Live Performances & Personal Appearances Please

Contact:

Kenneth Hartung ManagementKenneth Hartung

Kenneth@KennethHartungManagement.com

Phone: (516) 303-6019

Biography

Since she first stepped on stage at the Comedy Store in the ‘70s, Sandra Bernhard has been challenging fans and critics with her outrageous humor, keen satire and rollicking stage shows. “Give the dame her due,” writes the New York Times, “It’s invigorating to be in the presence of a true original.”

Bernhard, who writes and develops all of her own material, has produced numerous one-woman shows over the years, among them: Without You I’m Nothing—which was released as a feature film—Excuses for Bad Behavior, Giving ‘Til It Hurts, Hero Worship, the Love Machine, and Everything Bad and Beautiful, which ran for two months off-Broadway, before Bernhard toured with it, making numerous stops across the U.S. and in Europe. “A performer of stunning originality. Funny but foxy, super smart and slightly mad!” proclaimed WCBS. “Bernhard is a very funny woman by nature, a rocker by sheer determination and an actress you’ve seen in eclectic offerings,” says the Washington Post.

Bernhard’s last show, “Hero Worship,” featured a five-piece band and was a post-September 11th tribute to Bernhard’s commitment to irony—that it, too, has survived September 11th. The show featured a range of musical numbers (some original and some covers). It was a fearless attempt to show that life must continue and the show must go on. Other notable performances include her participation in the “Stormy Weather Benefit ’98,” organized by Don Henley, which also featured Stevie Nicks and Joni Mitchell, as well as “The Elton John Tribute for Broadway Cares.”

Bernhard’s one-woman Broadway show, “I’m Still Here … Damn It!,” was hailed by the New York Times as “an angst driven, foul-mouthed poison-laced joy ride that banks and careens frenetically through the worlds of fashion, celebrity, rock, and religion. In her own voice, unfiltered, [Bernhard] is a living, breathing bonfire.” The show, which initially ran for five months off Broadway, went on to play sold-out runs in Boston and San Francisco, and was filmed for an HBO special.

Bernhard first earned film accolades in 1983 when she appeared in Martin Scorsese’s “The King of Comedy.” Other film work includes “Inside Monkey Zetterland,” “Track 29,” “Hudson Hawk,” “Dinner Rush,” and “Dare.” And she is about to begin filming on two new projects.

From 1991-1996, Bernhard portrayed Nancy Bartlett on “Roseanne,” and she has had guest starring or recurring roles on numerous other shows, among them; “Ally McBeal,” “The Larry Sanders Show,” “The Sopranos,” “Law & Order: SVU,” “The L Word,” “Will & Grace,” and “The New Adventures of Old Christine.” She has appeared numerous times on “Late Night with David Letterman,” and has been a guest on “The Tonight Show,” “The View,” “The Joy Behar Show,” “The Jimmy Kimmel Show,” “The Rachel Maddow Show,” and Showtime’s “The Green Room,” among others. She has appeared regularly on the Howard Stern show since the ‘80s. And was the host of “Sandra After Dark,” for HBO, and “Reel Wild Cinema.”

In addition to her original songs, Bernhard performs covers from Led Zeppelin to Laura Nyro; Burt Bachrach to Britney Spears. “One moment, her voice is lulling you into a wistful sigh; the next, she’s knocking you back several rows with it,” proclaimed the SF Weekly. Her albums include: “I’m Your Woman,” and most recently she collaborated on the world music album “Whatever it Takes,” featuring African musicians such as Papa Wemba and TK. She has also sung with or opened for various musical acts, including: The Pretenders, Cyndi Lauper, and the Scissor Sisters. She participated in the “Stormy Weather Benefit ’98,” organized by Don Henley, which also featured Stevie Nicks and Joni Mitchell and “The Elton John Tribute for Broadway Cares.” Bernhard has also lent her talents to benefits for organizations including: The Ali Forney Center for LGBT Homeless Youth, and Broadway Cares Equity Fights AIDS.

Bernhard has written three books: Confessions of a Pretty Lady (Harper&Row, 1988), Love, Love and Love (HarperCollins, 1994), and May I Kiss You on the Lips, Miss Sandra? (William Morrow, 1998). And she is currently at work on her fourth collection. Her work has also been published in numerous magazines, including, The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, Conde Nast Traveler, Rolling Stone, Interview, and Spy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sandra Bernhard – Whatever It Takes

About the Show

Back performing in London for the first time in two years, Sandra Bernhard is returning to Leicester Square Theatre for 5 shows based on her latest album, ‘Whatever It Takes’.

‘Whatever It Takes’ is an inspired  musical cross-cultural road trip which travels musically from New York, to Africa, the middle east, and South America.

But music is just one element of a Sandra Bernhard gig. Described by the New York Times as “a living, breathing bonfire”, Bernhard has been combining comedy and rock ‘n’ roll and courting controversy for 25 years, challenging fans and critics with her knife-edged humour, satire and emotive performances on film, television and stage.

An accomplished comedienne, actress, singer, and writer, Sandra Bernhard defies easy categorisation. Her live performances – part comedy, part social satire, and part cabaret – perfectly showcase her astonishing range of talents.

Performances
9th Feb 2011 to 13th Feb 20117.30pm

TICKETS: http://www.leicestersquaretheatre.com/lqt/show/S1288368995/Sandra+Bernhard

ABOUT THE BOOK

Never Blend In: The Legacy of Harvey Milk

by David Watters

Never Blend In: The Legacy of Harvey Milk is a unique collection of inspirational interviews with well known and everyday people who represent the great diversity within the LGBT Community. 

The research, supported by PFLAG and The Trevor Project, FFLAG (UK), The Gay Police Association (GPA) and Schools OUT (UK), tackles the issue of teenage suicide and the disenfranchisement often felt by LGBT youth.

Role models from education, entertainment, law enforcement, medical and emergency services, politics, religion and sports have participated in this accessible and much needed discourse to illuminate the reader’s journey of self-discovery and self- efficacy.

Some of those included in the book are Alan Cumming, John Amaechi, Calpernia Addams, Stephen Fry, Darren Hayes, Parvez Sharma, Harvey Milk colleagues Anne Kronenberg & Danny Nicoletta and a foreword by his nephew Stuart Milk.

Openly LGBT and successful role model figures can play an enormous part in highlighting the wealth of possibilities available to young people. These people, who are successfully modelling admirable qualities and character traits such as determination, diligence, vision and consistent effort, can only serve to inspire and encourage the younger generation, or anyone questioning their validity, to lead a balanced, fulfilling and dignified life.

Each chapter is prefaced with sound advice and guidance on how self-worth determines potential.

Life need not be a self-fulfilling prophecy and by recognising that our “truth” has been shaped through our relationships, our environment and our experiences, we can begin to change our perceptions, heighten our self-esteem and move toward our personal and professional goals with clear vision and purpose.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000924072854#!/group.php?gid=106980051654&ref=mf

For young people coming to terms with their sexuality it’s really important that they have positive, high achieving role models as a way of boosting their self esteem and confidence. This kind of book shares the experience of a very diverse group of LGBT people. Individual and collective experience offers the inspiration and motivation for LGBT people to do something worthwhile with their lives and live their dream.

 Peter Tatchell

http://www.petertatchell.net/

 

There are two ways you can approach not fitting in.  If you get to see it as a blessing,  feeling like an Outsider can eventually give you the freedom and license to create your own world, follow your own goals, make your own reality.  I’ve always thought it must be a lot harder for those who effortlessly belong – how much stronger the temptation to just blend in and be a non-questioning sheep!  Yes, there is pain. Feelings of rejection, confusion, self-doubt.  But think of those negatives in a positive light:  you have the chance to acquire resilience, fortitude, understanding and the realisation but you have one life to live, so you absolutely have the right to live it your way!

It’s no shame to get help and inspiration from others, which is why David Watters ‘Never Blend In’ is so timely.

 

Trisha Goddard 

 http://www.trishatv.com/ 

 

  “I love your work which is vital to show the richness of embracing and celebrating our wonderful diversity. As Harvey would say, you’re bringing medicine into the world that the world needs! Thank You!”

 

STUART MILK

 

Role models are described as those individuals who we ‘aspire to’ and who provide strong and achievable targets that we can emulate in pursuit of our career or personal aims. This book breaks down the common stereotypes of gay people and unveils a more realistic perspective, chronicling the success of many gay role models that others aspire to.

In “Never Blend In” David Watters has brought together a number of role models in one publication featuring successful gay artists, scientists and entrepreneurs, who share their experiences and take you on their journey.  These are men and women with whom you can relate, whose stories will inspire and motivate you and leave you ready to move forward, both personally and professionally.

Be inspired by the successful members of the gay community; real men and women. Read about the challenges they faced along the way, what helped to keep them going, and what it takes to make a small business, a life, a success.

This book illustrates the breadth and creativity of gays everywhere.  It is a pioneering work and the success stories of inspirational gay role models from a wide variety of backgrounds should be made available in every library, every school.  These are men and women you can aspire to but who have all shown just what it takes to become a role model – determination, courage and an unwavering desire to succeed.

“Never Blend In” brings you some amazing candidates all of whom have succeeded in very different ways. They each have inspiring stories to tell about their achievements and future ambitions, yet I noticed they all had one thing in common they were passionate about what they did.

So in reality gays are still struggling for acceptance and to reach the top of the ladder. However, I think for the gay who enters the celebrity arena or who decides to do his/her own thing -  they no longer have to do it at the expense of their happiness- they can do things on their own terms. For many it will provide them with the work/ life balance that wasn’t available for them in the past.  It’s vital we have gays in big business and we need more gays to be there. I think companies need to realise they can’t operate without gays.  But they do need to provide the very thing we all tend to take for granted – the basic right of being given the same opportunities and earning power as str8 men.  We are mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, lovers, friends. We are like you. 

 

ANTOINE SPITERI

 

Anthony Spiteri, BS, MSc, PhD (Psychology) 

 

The book NEVER BLEND IN is a provocative look into the lives of successful people who live in a world where the odds are stacked against us.  It is important to give hope to the younger generation with diverse sexual orientations to see that we can be happy, healthy, and successful players in this game we call life.  I hope by telling my story in this book, I can, in some small way, make life easier for those who march to the beat of a different drum.  I am a rebel with a cause…you can either march with me, or step out of my way.
                                                     

I am excited to order several copies of your book and share them with friends and family as gifts. I may try to use it with one of my classes that I teach at my college on the psychology of diversity. 

 

DR JOHN R. SHAFER, Director of the Counseling Center and Professor at Franklin College of Indiana, President, Shafer Consulting Services

 

 “Never Blend In,” is so absolutely crucial to our very survival.  For when we first discovered our difference, we believed we were alone.  This is why statistically, gay teen suicide attempts are four times that of heterosexual youth, and for every completed suicide by a gay youth, there are between 100-200 attempts that are made by other gay teens.  Astoundingly, one-third of ALL teenagers who commit suicide do so because they are gay.  In America, we have had as many as 11 teenagers a day commit suicide due to their sexual orientation!  “Never Blend In” provides a guiding light for all LGBT people (in fact, for all non-LGBT people as well) because it demonstrates that not only are you not alone, but that you too can rise to attain your most desired dreams.  There is nothing and no one that can hold you back.  Harvey Milk paved the way for us all to be able to be ourselves and to simultaneously provide a role model for others.  Whether you are the parent, uncle, or cousin of a gay child, or friend of a gay adult, the stories presented here give a unique insight into the relationships we cherish.  You do not need to be gay to be inspired by the lives of these amazing heroes, whose stories are told, often for the first and only time, in “Never Blend In.”  

MITCHELL GROBESON

http://www.sgtmitch.com/

 

 

This book is crucially important because we need to continually shed light on the struggles and adversity facing the LGBT community. We can never become complacent in our fight for equal rights and we need to remember the trailblazers who ignited the spark for the flame of progress that burns today. As role models following in the legacy of others like Harvey Milk, we need to stand as proud confident people and continue to broaden the path of acceptance for those that follow us.

JACK MACKENROTH

http://www.jackmackenroth.com/