Gomez 1 Lisa Marie Gomez ENG 102 Professor Mary Petty September 30, 2013 NO H8 America is a very diverse

country. There are many different races, religions, cultures and opinions. The great thing about living in America is the freedom of speech and being able to express our selves. However many times with this freedom we have to overcome people who may not agree with our beliefs or differences. One issue that has been a very controversial lately is same sex marriage. One reason this issue has been very controversial is because there are many opinions that may be influenced based on the way one was raised or religion. This issue has struck up many conversations, tested our government, started protests for those who are for and against it as well has tested our leaders to stand up on an issue that many before never wanted to speak of. On November 4th, 2008 Prop 8 was passed in California. This prop 8 trigged a very controversial issue that went nation wide and started a revolution. Prop 8 was passed to ban same sex marriages in California. Prop 8 provoked the LGBT community and formed many political and protest organizations in response to the prop. Some protest groups in favor for prop 8 is TFP Student Action, Family Research Council, and many religion groups. Some protest groups against prop 8 is Human Rights, Freedom to marriage, and NO H8 on 8. The NO H8 campaign is one that stood out the most and has become very popular with celebrities and a lot of people that are against prop 8.

Gomez 2 At a first glance of this photo there are a lot of things going on. She has the words NO H8 written on her check. The letters are all black except the number eight, that is red. She has a red ribbon tied on finger and duck tape over her mouth. The photo looks like it was professionally taken and there is a quote off to the side of the photo that says, Set and example for future generations live proud so others can live free and educate yourself. The quote of the side is also written in black and red. Some of the letters are bigger than others and bold as well. There are many things being represented in this photo. The red ribbon on finger represents the fight for HIV and Aids. The NO H8 means she is against prop 8. The reason that the number8 is in red is to represent the prop. If it was not in red it would be just a short way of writing NO HATE. The duck tape over the mouth represents the fact that many people were silenced by Prop 8. The quote that is on the side of the photo is also very powerful. If you read just the black writing it says set an example for future, live so others can live. If you read just the red writing it says generations proud free yourself. I believe that the writing on the side was written in two different colors and could be read two different ways but still mean the same thing. What we do today will set examples for future generations. We should live proud and not in shame. If we fight for what we think is right others may live free. Educating your self also is very important, if you know what it is that your fighting about it make you that much powerful. The photographer who started the NO H8 silent protest was Adam Bouska. He is a celebrity photographer. Since 2008 he has photographed over 30,000 faces. He first started with people from California and now has photographed politicians, military

Gomez 3 personnel, newlyweds, law enforcement, artists and celebrities. Some celebrities that have been photographed are The Kardashians, Justin Bieber, Dr. Drew and many more. Prop 8 was overturned June 26, 2013. In the state of California same sex marriage is now recognized. Now California is among the 11 states that recognize same sex marriage. For the LGBT community this is a big deal. It is now giving hope that things are turning in the right direction as far as equal rights. It is still a long stretch but it is a start. DOMA is something that has also passed since prop 8 was repealed. DOMA now gives legally married same sex couples the ability to file taxes jointly, also allow same sex partners medical benefits through employers, same sex widowers can now qualify for social security survivor benefits and members of the military can receive equal benefits for their same sex partners. The image is a very powerful image and makes me feel proud to be a part of something so big. To see politicians, military personnel, newlyweds, law enforcement, artists and celebrities being photographed and standing up for equal rights is amazing. Seeing everyone come together for a cause and fighting for what they believe in is what being an American is about. President Barack Obama stated that, "As everybody here knows, last year upon a long period of reflection, I concluded that we cannot discriminate against same-sex couples when it comes to marriage," Obama said at a Friday press conference at the White House. "The basic principle that America is founded on -- the idea that we're all created equal -- applies to everybody, regardless of sexual orientation, as well as race or gender or religion or ethnicity." Never in all the presidential terms has any of the

Gomez 4 previous presidents stated or even touched basis on such a controversial issue. Now is the chance to change the lives of many and treat everyone equal. The topic of marriage equality is an issue that sparks emotions and opinions from both ends and is a reason why many stay out of it. However we all have to educate ourselves and get all the facts before we start letting our emotions talk for us. We can longer stay silent and need to speak up. Is it fair that someone in a non traditional relationship be banned from rights?

Gomez 5 Works Cited "About NOH8 Campaign." NOH8 Campaign. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Sept. 2013. "DOMA: Get the Facts." Human Rights Campaign. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2013. Johnson, Luke. "'We Cannot Discriminate Against Same-Sex Couples When It Comes To Marriage'" The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 01 Mar. 2013. Web. 29 Sept. 2013.