In honor of National Coming Out Day, these congress reps got behind the camera to show us what they’ve got in support of marriage equality.
National Coming Out Day was a big day in the news for 2012. Not only did October 11 mark the first year of International Day of the Girl, a movement that now spotlights women under the age of 18, but it gave us the much-anticipated Vice Presidential Debate between Joe Biden and Paul Ryan.
And since politics are at the forefront of so many discussions this month—leading up to a very crucial election on November 6, it’s only appropriate that we receive a little reminder that we’ve got 37 congress representatives at our side when it comes to NOH8.
Award-winning photographer Adam Bouska, who founded the NOH8 campaign with his partner Jeff Parshley in 2008, as a response to Proposition 8 in California, recently snapped shots of the second “NOH8 on the Hill” initiative—a roll call of congress representatives serving up so much attitide, brute and vigor, you just might let out a chuckle or two.
Of the 37, Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), whose photo is Capitol Hill-ballin’ writes, “Projects like NOH8 are ensuring that marriage equality continues to be in the forefront of our fight for equality.” Rep. Michael Capuano (D-MA) who represents the same state Governor Mitt Romney hails from, says,
“I have long believed in marriage equality and am proud to participate in the NOH8 campaign. Discrimination has no place in our society, and I hope the Supreme Court will soon recognize that Proposition 8, and other attempts like it, are contrary to the freedoms granted in the Constitution.”
Of the 37 photographed, all of the representatives are Democrats, 17 are women, and 20 are men. 13 states were represented: Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvannia, Texas, Wisconsin and Vermont. The first NOH8 on the Hill photo session occurred back in February, when an initial 10 members stepped forward, including Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), sporting a smashing yellow bow-tie.
“Love is love. Whether heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, or transgender, no one should be denied the opportunity to express this love through marriage. I stand strong in my support for the LGBT community and marriage equality,” says Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI), a sentiment that adds fuel to our fight, and powers 37 reasons why NOH8 on the Hill is one empowering reminder of conviction.