For those superstitious individuals who regard Friday the 13th as unlucky, your days of despair are over.
This past Friday (the 13th), Wright State’s Rainbow Alliance played host to an event in attempt to raise awareness of equality- thus breaking the annual streak of “misfortune” in the universe.
In concordance to the the NOH8 campaign, Rainbow Alliance put together a tremendously successful photo shoot.
NOH8 is a LGBT-friendly (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) charitable organization that was created in response to California’s passing of Proposition 8 in 2008.
This amendment in California’s state Constitution deemed same-sex marriage unlawful. The wildly successful gimmick behind the NOH8 campaign was conceived by celebrity photographer Adam Bouska.
Bouska began photographing celebrities and activists alike — all of whom were against Proposition 8 — with white t-shirts on and duct tape stuck over their mouths. Subjects also display “NOH8” written on their cheek.
Despite how unorthodox the models’ ensemble may seem, a powerful message is being conveyed. In essence, by covering their mouths with duct tape, models are demonstrating the societal-imposed silence members of the LGBT community are forced to endure.
Proposition 8 and legislation of the like have compromised the resonance in the voices of homosexuals and transgenders – thus compromised their role in American society. The iconic duct tape is, in essence, a manifestation of this unfair silence.
Although the symbolism behind the white shirts isn’t quite as profound, they still play a key role in the photographic silent protest. By standing in front of a white tapestry, clad in white, the models emphasize their faces, drawing the viewer’s attention to the message scrawled across their cheek and the tape stifling their voice.
With these key aesthetic components and a little photo-manipulation (you know, to make their eyes brighter and such), NOH8 has created a well-marketed campaign against LGBT discrimination that greatly appeals to our “digital generation.”
This fiercely successful campaign against government-mandated discrimination has surged across social media websites since its creation in 2008.
According to NOH8’s website (http://www.noh8campaign.com/), the campaign has accumulated over 20,000 pictures of people who spoke out against hatred based on sexual orientation.
This number, though, is increasing at an unimaginably rapid rate as more and more colleges participate in this “photographic protest.”
Since its creation, NOH8 has enlightened many to the omnipresent discrimination that burdens homosexuals and transexuals on a daily basis.
And believe it or not, this burden hits close to home at WSU. When asked if prejudice and bullying targeted at LGBT students were still issues that plagues Wright State’s campus, Abi Galligan responded with an adamant “definitely.”
Galligan is in charge of public relations within and outside of the Rainbow Alliance. Galligan elaborated with, “Even though Wright State takes a lot of preventative measures to keep the campus harassment-free, these are still things we need to be concerned about.”
However, thanks to the Rainbow Alliance, those whose voices have been silenced or have had to struggle with their identity due to society, can rest assured that there is a community waiting with open and supportive arms.
Rainbow Alliance not only treats the events it sponsors as a form of activism, but also a form of support and solidarity. The NOH8 photo shoot serves as a prime example.
Wright State rallied more interest in the NOH8 photo shoot more so than any of the individuals who coordinated it had expected.
“I think the event was absolutely effective,” said Rainbow Alliance President, Andy Macy. “We had approximately 50 people show up, all of whom participated. Even a family of five attended the photo shoot.”
Macy said, “After the shoot, our Facebook page was covered in positive responses to the event! Next year, though, we hope to make the NOH8 photo shoot even bigger. Rainbow Alliance would really like to turn this event into a tradition and celebrate NOH8 annually.”
Another NOH8 photo shoot isn’t the only exciting thing in store for Wright State. Rainbow Alliance, according to Macy, will continue to foster the growing support for the LGBT community and the LGBT students at Wright State.
“In the coming year, we will focus on education and awareness; students need to understand what LGBT individuals have to go through everyday. We will tackle homophobia.”
As the battle for social justice rages onward, the Rainbow Alliance will continuously prove itself to be an unyielding proponent for equality and a powerful voice – one for those who are too timid or unnecessarily ashamed of their sexual orientation and gender identity to use their own.
Until society bursts through the barrier of “tolerance” and progresses into the realm of “acceptance” LGBT rights activists will continue their noble crusade.
Until we, as human beings, learn to disregard sexual preferences and gender identity in determining the value one has in society, organizations like Rainbow Alliance will remain a beacon of light for those in the minority.
