The NOH8 Campaign is a charitable organization whose mission is to promote marriage, gender and human equality through education, advocacy, social media, and visual protest.
On November 4, 2008 Proposition 8 passed in California, amending the state Constitution to ban same-sex marriage. The defeat provoked a groundswell of initiative within the GLBT community at a grassroots level, with many new political and protest organizations being formed in response.
The NOH8 Campaign is a photographic silent protest created by celebrity photographer Adam Bouska (http://www.bouska.net) and partner Jeff Parshley in direct response to the passage of Proposition 8. Photos feature subjects with duct tape over their mouths, symbolizing their voices being silenced by Prop 8 and similar legislation around the world, with “NOH8” painted on one cheek in protest.
Five years since its inception, the NOH8 Campaign has grown to nearly 33,000 faces and continues to grow at an exponential rate. The campaign began with portraits of everyday Californians from all walks of life and soon rose to include politicians, military personnel, newlyweds, law enforcement, artists, celebrities, and many more.
While inspired by the passage of Prop 8, the scope of the NOH8 Campaign has grown to stand against discrimination and bullying of all kinds. The message of ‘No Hate’ can be interpreted and applied broadly, and speaks to each person in their own way.
The NOH8 Campaign has received overwhelming support from around the world, and has appeared in various local and national news programs and publications. The images are widely used on various social networking sites such asFacebook and Twitter to spread the message of equality.
“Hi my name is Ryan and I made this video using pictures from http://www.noh8campaign.com/ as a tribute to Gay Rights and also to the people who Support Gay Rights”
Songs in order: Miley Cyrus-My Heart Beats For Love | Christina Aguilera-Beautiful | Glee-Ill Stand By You | Joey McIntyre-Stay The Same.
36 states down, 14 to go! One step closer to #NOH8Worldwide!
Adam was born October 31, 1983 in Decatur, Illinois. He is an award winning Americanfashion photographer who runs a photography studio based out of West Hollywood, California. He is known for pictures of male models in particular, and is considered a rising ‘superstar photographer‘ in the gay community.
His work has been printed in DNA Magazine and reFRESH and has already been featured on a variety of shows and mediums including The New York Times, Life & Style magazine, Guinness Book of World Records 2010, Chelsea Lately, TODAY show, The View, Million Dollar Listing, Millionaire Matchmaker and CNBC.
He is also noted for his work with celebrities Barry Manilow, Meghan McCain, James Kyson Lee, Alexa Ray Joel, Deepak Chopra, Lisa Ling, Lt. Dan Choi, Armani Exchange model, Ryan Barry, America’s Next Top Models: Bre Scullark, Michelle Deighton, Amanda Babin and Michelle Babin, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy‘s Jai Rodriguez, and JD Jordan from Bravo’s Work Out.
Bouska is openly gay. He lives in West Hollywood, California and was recognized as the community’s leading photographer at the West Hollywood awards in January 2007.
The NOH8 Campaign (pronounced “no hate campaign“) is a charitable organization in the United States whose mission is to promote marriage, gender and human equality through education, advocacy, social media, and visual protest.
The main goal of NOH8 is to promote marriage, gender and human equality, regardless of the cultural group one may associate with. Through education, advocacy, social media, visual protest and the use of famous celebrities as spokespersons, this campaign raises awareness of marriage equality and anti-discrimination on a global level, incorporating almost 30,000 faces with support continually growing.
The campaign was created as photographic silent protest created by celebrity photographerAdam Bouska and partner Jeff Parshley in direct response to the passage of Proposition 8. Photos feature subjects with duct tape over their mouths, symbolizing their voices being silenced by Prop 8 and similar legislation around the world, with “NOH8” painted on one cheek in protest. The phrase refers to “H8” (leet for ‘hate’), short for “Proposition H8” (pronounced “proposition hate”), a nickname used by critics of the proposition. The photos are featured on the campaign’s website, as well as various social networks, as well as a virtual world campaign in Second Life.
Nearly four years since its inception, the NOH8 Campaign has expanded at an increasing rate, with more than 33,000 photos taken at 120 open photo shoots in 43 U.S. states. The campaign started with portraits of everyday Californians of various nationalities, and soon rose to include politicians, military personnel, newlyweds, law enforcement, artists, celebrities, and various others.
The images are widely used on various social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter to spread the message of equality. Some photographers and student groups have even set up their own photoshoots. The campaign photos have circulated on the internet and are appearing on many supporter’s social networking profiles. Both LGBT and non-LGBT people have participated in the photoshoots.
In November 2008, in response to the narrow approval in California of Proposition 8, which banned gay marriage, Bouska and his partner, Jeff Parshley, founded the NOH8 Campaign to promote the overturn of this ban. While beginning at a grassroots level, by April 2009 the campaign had seen support from such celebrities as Leslie Jordan, Shanna Moakler, and RichGirl; and became involved in the Miss USA 2009 controversy.
The campaign has now gained the support of other notables, including Adam Carolla, Brooke Burke, Cindy McCain, Fran Drescher, Dr. Drew, Kathy Griffin, Denise Richards, Jane Lynch, Mark Hoppus, Lisa Edelstein, Rose McGowan, and Steve-O.
http://www.noh8campaign.com NOH8 Campaign is proud to release it’s 2nd PSA titled “I’m Coming Out” to help raise awareness about Propostion 8 and Marriage Equality
On Wednesday in June 2013, the Supreme Court made two highly anticipated decisions on same-sex marriage, striking down the Defense of Marriage Act and dismissing California’s Proposition 8 case.
In neither decision did the Supreme Court legalize same-sex marriage nationally — that will require a lot more legislation. But for those in a same-sex marriage already, their rights just broadened exponentially.
It Is What It Is 