NOH8 Campaign

NOH8 Campaign

140×140 NOH8 Campaign Logo
Formation	2009
Type	501(c)(3)
Location	North Hollywood, CA
Founder	Adam Bouska
Key people	Jeff Parshley (Chairman)
Website	NOH8Campaign.org

The NOH8 Campaign (NOH8 meaning "No Hate") is a charitable organization in the United States whose mission is to promote LGBT marriage, gender and human equality through education, advocacy, social media, and visual protest.

The campaign was created as photographic silent protest created by celebrity photographer Adam 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.

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.

History

File:NOH8 Campaign LA Pride 2011.jpg

NOH8 Campaign at the Los Angeles LGBT pride parade in 2011

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 LGBT community at a grassroots level, with many new political and protest organizations being formed in response. Chad Griffin eventually challenged California's Proposition 8 in a lawsuit that would ultimately make him a historical figure amongst the LGBT community. The NOH8 Campaign was created in 2009 as a result of the amendment of Proposition 8. While initially inspired by Proposition 8, the scope of the NOH8 Campaign has expanded its main goals to fight discrimination and bullying universally as a means to spread a worldview of acceptance.

Notable events

• During the Miss USA 2009 controversy, former Miss USA, Shanna Moakler and co-executive state pageant director Keith Lewis encouraged Tamiko Nash, Miss California and Miss USA 2006 first runner-up, and 2008 Miss California Raquel Beezley to attend a photo shoot to protest Carrie Prejean's views on same-sex marriage in the United States. Later, former Miss USA and Miss Universe 1997 Brook Lee posed for the NOH8 campaign.

• On May 25, 2009, the NOH8 campaign released a public service announcement, and on August 12, 2009, a second PSA called "Coming Out".

• On November 18, 2009, the campaign announced that the city of West Hollywood, California, plans to make December 13 the official "NoH8 Day."

• On November 5, 2010, the NOH8 Campaign was approved as a Public Benefit charity by the California Attorney General's office, thus allowing for its current status as a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Corporation.

Celebrity support

File:Pauley Perrette 2009 2.jpg

Actress Pauley Perrette attending the NOH8 campaign

The proceeds from the November 2011 music video Attention Please by Darryl McDaniels of Run–D.M.C. and actress Pauley Perrette of NCIS are donated to the NOH8 campaign. Perrette has also supported NOH8 by providing memorabilia for auction and with awareness-raising efforts such as wearing a NOH8 dress to the People's Choice Awards in 2011 and adding a silent protest photo as the background and profile pic on her official Twitter account.

Celebrity photo contributors include Lindsay Lohan, Justin Bieber, David Yost, Larry King, Cindy McCain, Emma Roberts, Cher, Alan Cumming, Kim Kardashian, Chris Kluwe, Josh Hutcherson, Weird Al Yankovic, Kathy Griffin, Doug Robb, Kristen Stewart, Idina Menzel, Ricky Martin, Paris Hilton, Mayra Veronica, Nikki Sixx, Mark Hoppus, Jonathan Scott and 64 Members of the House Democratic Caucus.

WWE wrestler Darren Young wore a NOH8 hoodie for his match at the Elimination Chamber PPV in February 2014 (he is the first WWE performer to come out publicly as gay while active as a wrestler with the company), and in April 2014, numerous WWE wrestlers participated in a photo shoot to promote the campaign.

See also

• Athlete Ally
• Day of Silence
• LGBT rights in the United States

External links

• Official website

• http://www.noh8campaign.com/article/noh8onthehill3
• http://www.wwe.com/inside/overtheropes/noh8-campaign