NOH8 Campaign photo shoot in Chicago expanded because of overwhelming response

Mon. October 11, 2010 10:22 AM by GoPride.com News Staff

actress jane lynch in a noh8 campaign photo

photo credit // noh8campaign.com

NOH8 photo shoot now to begin at Noon today, W Hotel City Center

Chicago, IL - The NOH8 Campaign photo shoot on Monday in Chicago was expanded because of overwhelming interest by Midwest supporters.

"The amount of RSVPs is a bit intimidating," photographer Adam Bouska told ChicagoPride.com. "It really says a lot about what is on people's minds these days."

Bouska started the silent protest with partner Jeff Parshley in response to the passage of Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage in California on Nov. 4, 2008.

The first photo was of Parshley in the now-well known pose that includes supporters covering their mouths with duct tape and "NOH8" painted on one cheek to symbolize the belief that they are being silenced by Proposition 8 and similar legislation nationwide.

Since that first photo, the NOH8 Campaign has grown to more than 5,500 photographs of supporters and continues to grow at an exponential rate. Supporters of the campaign include politicians and celebrities including Cindy McCain, Jane Lynch, Kathy Griffin and Isaiah Washington.

Bouska, a Chicago native, tells ChicagoPride.com the NOH8 Campaign would like to add Oprah Winfrey's face to the cause. "We're hoping to get influential faces like Oprah, President Obama, Michelle Obama, Ellen DeGeneres, Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson and Bill Clinton," he said.

The NOH8 Campaign, recently a nonprofit organization, continues to protest against the ban of same-sex marriage and all anti-discriminatory acts.

The Chicago photo shoot is one of a series of nationwide events, but Parshley tells ChicagoPride.com that with over 1,400 reservations Chicago is going to be one of the largest shoots to date.

"We will demand full Federal equality for all and we won't stop until that is achieved," said Bouska.

Related: Read the ChicagoPride.com interview with NOH8 creators Adam Bouska and Jeff Parshley

Related:Adam and Jeff on Fox Chicago's Good Day Chicago (video)
 

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