Saying NO to H8 & YES to LOVE
Wednesday, April 25th, 2012
I've wanted to be a part of the NOH8 Campaign since the first time I read about it.
Not only have I overcome bullying in school growing up, but I've also been in an almost 10 year committed relationship with my boyfriend and we are not legally able to marry in our home state. Even though we are accepted by our families and local community, we still feel a sense of "bullying" by the legal withholding of our justifiably deserved full equal rights.
The NOH8 Campaign for us was like an artistic outlet towards our desire for equality. Not only was the experience powerful and liberating, but it was fun and we met some great people (including Adam Bouska) during the process.
It was nice to know a lot of other people feel the same way we do and want to raise awareness to create the same rights for us! My parents and little sister even insisted on joining us during the shoot for further moral support.
It feels really good to look at our pictures now and know we publicly made an effort to say no to H8 and yes to love, particularly ours and other couples in our situation.
Richard Mills & Shane Johnson
Open Photo Shoot @ W Silicon Valley
April 24th, 2012
