No More H8

The team of NOH8 campaign made their way to the East Coast for an open photo shoot held today, Feb 1st. Led by celebrity & fashion photographer, Adam Bouska, and partner Jeff Parshley, the NOH8 campaign was a direct response to the passage of Prop 8 in California back in 2008 in the form of a photo project and silent protest. Subjects are dressed in mostly white with duct tape over their mouths and a face paint of NOH8 on one cheek (now a sticker tattoo). The duct tape symbolizes their voices not being heard. The project swelled to include celebrities and ordinary people who support marriage equality. Among them are Perez Hilton, Ashlee Simpson & Pete Wentz, the Kardashian sisters, Fran Drescher (The Nanny), Isaiah Washington (axed from Grey's Anatomy), Debbie Gibson, reality show stars and countless others. Recently, wife of Sen. John McCain, Cindy, joined the campaign. The goal is to educate the community and ultimately support the cause for marriage equality.

My friend Jeff was supposed to come with me but was tired from working the night shift. I was getting reluctant myself but I was watching the livestream video of the shoot at the Empire Hotel and got me inspired. I feel like I have to be part of this project. The solo shot costs $40, proceeds go to a good cause and one that I care about, and a chance to work with a celebrity photographer. I caved in.

I went in line close to an hour before the shoot concluded. It was very systematic in how the team handled the process. After filling out the form and getting the sticker tattoo on your face, depending on your mode of payment, you'll be escorted to the makeshift photo-studio in one of the hotel function rooms. The line to the credit card payers was quite of a wait so I decided to pay cash and got right in. Thank God for the duct tape because my lips are getting windburnt and so not flattering. Adam directs the poses so basically I had to forget all about the posing rehearsals I did at home. It was done after a few flashes.

The website says I should get my photo in about 4-6 weeks. I'm not sure whether it's a physical copy or just a digital copy but it was amazing to participate in this endeavor.  My fight for marriage equality, in whatever way I can, rallies or phone-banking, continues this 2010. 

Here's a pic taken by Joyce when I got home (sans duct tape):

And here's the PSA of the campaign:



Check out the NOH8 gallery here and Adam Bouska's work here.