NOH8 goes to Washington

For a few hours on Monday, Sept. 20, there was a steady stream of people in white shirts approaching the intersection of 17th and R Streets in the District's northwest quadrant.

On the eve of an anticipated
vote by the U.S. Senate on the possible repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, approximately 500 people participated in rare East Coast photo shoot for the NOH8 Campaign.

Celebrity photographer Adam Bouska and partner Jeff Parshley conceived NOH8 in 2008 as a photographic silent protest in direct response to the passage of California's Proposition 8. In the two years since its inception, the campaign has grown to include a broader message of equality.

Bouska's photos typically feature subjects wearing a white shirt, a "NOH8" graphic on one cheek and duct tape over their mouth, symbolizing their voice being silenced by Prop 8 and similar anti-equality legislation around the world.

The campaign began with portraits of everyday Californians from all walks of life. And it soon included politicians, celebrities and others from around the country.

Washingtonians Victor Marshall and Jason Ford were among the first to arrive at Cobalt for the open shoot with Bouska, which was scheduled to end at 7 p.m., but ran later to accommodate all of the participants.

"I'm here to be part of a historic campaign; to be part of a movement," said Ford.

For Marshall it was his belief "no one should have hate in their heart" that drew him to the event.

The shoot was the first in the District for NOH8 and drew a diverse group of participants. Previous shoots have been held in California, Florida, Arizona, Hawaii and Washington State. And upcoming locations include Texas and Illinois.

Cobalt general manager Mark Rutstein said he felt honored to host NOH8. "Equality supporters from across the Mid-Atlantic have been waiting for the opportunity to participate in this important campaign," he said.

Individual participants had to make a minimum donation of $40, while a group or couple contributed at least $25 per person in the photo. NOH8 is using the funds raised to continue promoting and raising awareness for marriage equality and anti-discrimination through its interactive media campaign. In addition to bringing the campaign to other cities around the country, NOH8 is considering the expansion of its campaign to television and radio broadcasts, billboards, magazines and other media.

West Virginia native and current Washington, D.C., resident Zachary Wine summed up the feeling of many of the participants. "Equality is such an important issue; so I figure, why not do my part," he said.