TakePart TV Launches Provocative New Series With Dan Savage

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In conjunction with National Coming Out Day on October 11, Dan Savage's series "American Savage" will premiere exclusively on TakePart TV, the first impact-driven channel in YouTube's original 100 line-up. The author, columnist, TV personality and co-founder of the Emmy Award-winning It Gets Better Project, will engage viewers in discussions and encourage them to take action.

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"Dan is America's thought leader on Modern Sexuality. From Savage Love to the It Gets Better Project, he has challenged traditional sexual mores with humor and intelligence and has shown us that it's ok to feel how we feel, not just how society says we should," said Evan Shapiro, President, Participant Media Television. "We are proud to unleash "American Savage" on the Internets and to add Dan's voice to the TakePart TV channel lineup."

Savage will crisscross the country to explore issues of American sexuality through spontaneous and candid conversations. Each 3-5 minute webisode is a culmination of his spontaneous, off-the-cuff interactions as he answers questions, dispels myths and dispenses advice. As he does on his podcast, Savage will share his worldview, and riff on topics that make him particularly angry, excited or confused about American culture and sexuality.

"TakePart TV gives me the opportunity to reach people in a different way," said Dan Savage.

The "American Savage" premiere, timed with National Coming Out Day, will launch with a "National Coming Out Day Hangout," a Google+ hangout hosted by Savage and rugby player Ben Cohen. Supporters are invited to take part in the virtual conference and share their stories of the highs and lows of their own personal "Coming Out" journeys.  The Hangout will be live on the 'It Gets Better' YouTube channel and accessible via www.itgetsbetter.org/hangout.

"American Savage" is produced by Hypomania Content and Snackaholic and can be viewed at www.youtube.com/takepart beginning October 11th.

About Dan Savage
Dan Savage is a writer, TV personality, and activist best known for his political and social commentary, as well as his honest approach to sex, love and relationships. Savage's sex advice column, "Savage Love," is syndicated in newspapers and websites throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia. He is the Editorial Director of The Stranger, Seattle's weekly alternative newspaper, and his writing has appeared in publications including The New York Times, The New York Times Magazine, GQ, Rolling Stone, The Onion, and on Salon.com. Dan Savage grew up in Chicago and now lives in Seattle, Washington with his husband Terry Miller and their son, DJ.

About TakePart TV
TakePart TV is a newly launched impact-focused channel on YouTube that delivers an eclectic mix of original programming including daily short-form shows, animations, and high-quality series about the big issues facing our planet. Founded by Participant Media, TakePart TV adopted the ethos "a story well told can change the world" as the driving force behind the brand. TakePart TV's programming can be found at youtube.com/takepart.

About Participant Media
Participant Media (participantmedia.com) is an entertainment company that focuses on documentary and non-documentary feature films, television, publishing and digital content about the real issues that shape our lives. For each of its projects, Participant creates social action and advocacy programs to transform the impact of the media experience into individual and community action. Participant's online division and Social Action Network is TakePart (takepart.com). Founded by Jeff Skoll in 2004, Jim Berk serves as CEO. Participant's films include The Kite Runner, Charlie Wilson's War, An Inconvenient Truth, Good Night, and Good Luck, The Visitor, Food, Inc., The Cove, The Crazies, Countdown to Zero, Waiting for "Superman," Fair Game, PAGE ONE: Inside The New York Times, The Help, Contagion, Last Call at the Oasis, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Lincoln and Promised Land.

Media Contacts:
Shannon Swallow for TakePart TV
310-246-7753 | [email protected]

Julie Holland for Triple 7 Public Relations
310.743.5150 | [email protected]

SOURCE Participant Media