Steps toward Equality: the NOH8 Campaign

Clockwise from top-left: NOH8 logo, cast members from The LNF Show,
Cherry Bomb, Charlene from Gimme Sugar (2nd from right)

NOH8 (no hate) is a silent campaign against Prop 8 started by celebrity photographer Adam Bouska. Bouska photographs his subjects with duct tape over their mouths to represent silencing legislation, in particular Proposition 8. In protest, his subjects have “NO H8” written on their cheeks. One of the most beautiful aspects of the NOH8 Campaign is that Bouska, equipped with invaluable resources, has taken on the responsibility of working at a grassroots level, photographing everyday people. But that’s not to say there aren’t celebrities in the campaign. From Meghan McCain to Jane Lynch, Isaiah Washington to Dr. Drew, big names, little names, straight names and gay names, the winds of change seems to have infected people from all walks of life.

Chief Judge Vaughn R. Walker is no exception. In the case Perry vs. Schwarzenegger, CNN reported that Judge Walker ruled Prop 8 unconstitutional and in violation of the protection clause of the 14th Amendment. And though Walker’s ruling is a momentous victory for the United States, the war has yet to begin. Prop 8 supporters are anticipated to file a merits appeal to the 9th Circuit US Court of Appeals in San Francisco. Even if both sides asked the court to fast-track the case, there’s no telling when a verdict will be reached, as there are no time constraints on the court to make a decision. Regardless, once a decision is finally reached, it is expected that lawyers of the losing side will ask the US Supreme Court to intervene. It could take a year or two before the case even reaches the Supreme Court’s doorsteps.

The road to equality is a long one. It always has been. It always will be. There’s only one thing to do: keep on fighting. To see if the NOH8 Campaign is coming to an area near you, check out their events calendar at http://www.noh8campaign.com/events/category/open-photo-shoots. And if you’re interested in reading more about Chief Judge Walker’s ruling, visit https://ecf.cand.uscourts.gov/cand/09cv2292/.