“LGBT and the Media” Panel

Trish Bendix, the managing editor for AfterEllen.com was a moderator for the ‘LGBT and the Media’ panel, which included filmmaker Gigi Gaston, singer-songwriter Sophie B. Hawkins, and @NOH8Campaign founders Adam Bouska and Jeff Parshley.

Adam and Jeff shared the story of the creation of their campaign that began after the Proposition 8 passed in California on November 4, 2008, which amended the state Constitution to ban same-sex marriage. The NOH8 Campaign is a photographic silent protest created in direct response to the passage of Proposition 8. Photos feature subjects with duct tape over their mouths, symbolizing their voices being silenced and with “NOH8” painted on one cheek in protest.

Three years since its inception, the NOH8 Campaign has grown to over 20,000 faces and continues to grow. The campaign welcomes everyone, not just the celebrities, to participate. In fact, during the RizzlesCon there was a photo session that was attended by over 600 people.