• Home
  • About
  • Posts
    • Autism
    • Synesthesia
    • Unbelievably True Adventures
    • Body Language Expert
  • Press
Talk Nerdy To Me™

Type and hit Enter to search

  • Home
  • About
  • Posts
    • Autism
    • Synesthesia
    • Unbelievably True Adventures
    • Body Language Expert
  • Press
General

#NerdsUnite: The Ramblings of a Raconteuse (Why I freaking love the #NoH8 campaign))

December 16, 2011 4 Mins Read
108 Views
0 Comments

picture 11 Talk Nerdy To Me™<editorsnote> Nerds, meet my buddy Helenna. We met on twitter not too long ago, and she’s totes mcgotes one rad chiquita banana with a flare for all things flair! That’s right, Helenna here is what we call an artsy fartsy nerd. She’s a poet, into all things dramatic arts, and she’s going to come on board to write each week about her love of said drama. Well not like actual drama drama, like some cat fight shit – but you get the idea.

I only have one thing left to say … HIT IT HELENNA!!! </editorsnote>

#TalkNerdyToMeLover’s @Helslevy

As you all know from my first post, I am a “fan girl.”  What I haven’t told you yet, is there is nothing I love more than “artivists.”  

An “artivist” is someone who combines activism and art, and the boys of NOH8 do the best job of anyone I’ve ever seen.  Ever.  Period.  Seriously.  I first learned about the NOH8 Campaign back in 2009 and knew it was something that I wanted to support 100%. 

Talk Nerdy To Me™

I realize that this is a very politically charged blog post, but I’m sharing this because I see the NOH8 Campaign as a true testament to the power of art to evoke society’s emotions and propel change in a major way.   No matter what one’s politics, I don’t think there is any denying that these images are powerful. 

As their website states, the NOH8 Campaign is “a photographic silent protest created by celebrity photographer Adam Bouska and partner Jeff Parshley in direct response to the passage of Proposition 8. Photos feature subjects with duct tape over their mouths, symbolizing their voices being silenced by Prop 8 and similar legislation around the world, with “NOH8” painted on one cheek in protest.

Three years since its inception, the NOH8 Campaign has grown to over 18,000 faces and continues to grow at an exponential rate. The campaign began with portraits of everyday Californians from all walks of life and soon rose to include politicians, military personnel, newlyweds, law enforcement, artists, celebrities, and many more.”


tumblr lwa7ziQJvv1qesbda Talk Nerdy To Me™

Jeff Parshly and Adam Bouska 

The photos themselves are stunning.  Adam is an extremely talented photographer.  They would be incredible even if there was no particular cause to rally behind, or statement they are trying to make.  But the fact that the right for gays and lesbians to marry, is at its core a human rights issue, makes these photos even more powerful.  

I am so incredibly proud to be one of those 18,000 faces and did this vlog about my experience when I did the shoot for the first time.

And I loved the experience so much, I did another open shoot session with a group of fabulous ladies since then.

 

tumblr lwa85bAMHt1qesbda Talk Nerdy To Me™

from left to right: with Miranda Allgood, Tanya Perez, Cristina Cimellaro, Bonnie Gillespie, Holly Elissa Lamaro, Kristen Nedopak, and Molly Holmer

What Adam and Jeff have created is amazing.  They have kept an incredible fire burning for a cause that is extremely important and they have a team working with them including the amazing studio manager Christopher Hayden, who deserve serious props for doing an EXCEPTIONAL job.

 

tumblr lwa8cu0Cyq1qesbda Talk Nerdy To Me™

Recently I attended the 3 year anniversary party for the campaign at the House of Blues on Sunset in LA and it was INCREDIBLE.  The venue was transformed into a gallery to display many of the campaign photos, people could sign the NOH8 board on the wall and get temporary NOH8 tattoos on their cheeks, the DJ Brynn Taylor was phenomenal, Adam took photos live of celebrities onstage, they had brochures, there was an open bar for part of the night, a red carpet… It was GENIUS.  Everything was incredibly well thought out and pitch perfect.  BRAV-freaking-O!!!

 

Talk Nerdy To Me™

from left to right: with True Blood’s Kevin Alejandro, Leah Cevoli, Kristen Nedopak, Barry Levy and Adam Bouska 

All in all, I love this campaign.  

I love everything it stands for.  And while I’m sad that there has to be a 3 year anniversary for a silent protest against something that I believe is a basic human right,  I am glad that this campaign is stronger than ever.  Hopefully 20 years from now we’ll all be looking back at Prop 8 and saying “what’s the hell??? Why couldn’t everyone marry the person they love?”

But for now I am  happy to be able to be a voice in the crowd saying “fuck Prop 8.  I choose NOH8. “

xoxo

hels aka) Helenna Santos Levy

#nerdsunite

Tags:

Helenna Santos Levyhot nerdshot nerdy menhot nerdy womennerd talktalk nerdytalk nerdy to metalk nerdy to me loverthe ramblings of a raconteuse

Share Article

Other Articles

4057549 Talk Nerdy To Me™
Previous

#Amazeballs: Skyway Bridge Jumpers Website

n13801837 31582296 3751 Talk Nerdy To Me™
Next

Introduction to Modern Shamanism: A #Nerd’s Eye View

Next
n13801837 31582296 3751 Talk Nerdy To Me™
December 17, 2011

Introduction to Modern Shamanism: A #Nerd’s Eye View

Previews
December 10, 2011

#Amazeballs: Skyway Bridge Jumpers Website

4057549 Talk Nerdy To Me™

No Comment! Be the first one.

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Hi, I’m Jen Friel

    & I’d like to personally welcome you to my home
    Talk Nerdy To Me.™ 

    Instagram Facebook Twitter Youtube

    Featured Posts

    Untitled 1600 × 500 Talk Nerdy To Me™

    #TrueStory: I met and talked to Sharon Stone about Synesthesia (*pinch me*)

    Screen Shot 2023 03 28 at 8.03.34 PM Talk Nerdy To Me™

    #TrueStory: I Used Synesthesia to “Out” Con a Conman

    hyperlexia dyslexic synesthesia autistic

    #RealDeal: I’m autistic with hyperlexia, synesthesia, and I’m dyslexic (here’s what that means)

    Screen Shot 2023 03 15 at 4.01.38 PM Talk Nerdy To Me™

    #Fact: Jamie Lee Curtis won an Oscar on Sunday and showed up to her bestie Sharon Stone’s art show on Tuesday

    11864805 10100873076569489 7874067153814933141 o Talk Nerdy To Me™

    #TalkNerdyToMe: The full story behind our @BritneySpears moment

    Related Posts

    2011 12 222013.05.42 Talk Nerdy To Me™

    #WTF: About the last 48 hours … Can I get a rundown? (macbook pro retina, Aston Martin, monogamy, slave)

    December 29, 2012
    314772 423349271036919 1396863120 n 1 2 Talk Nerdy To Me™

    #NerdsUnite: My name is Alicia and I’m doing 50 dates in 50 states (North Dakota)

    December 28, 2012
    eric carillo tntml 2 Talk Nerdy To Me™

    #NerdsUnite: Social Dynamics Lesson 2 (Non-Committal Body Language)

    December 27, 2012
    chelofthesea Talk Nerdy To Me™

    #NerdUnite: Today, I will squeeze my loved ones a little tighter

    December 17, 2012
    Talk Nerdy To Me™

    Talk Nerdy To Me™ is an intimate and intelligent perspective on the stupid things that happen to us in life & tips on how to be smart in situations most would find foolish.

    Talk Nerdy To Me™

    • Home
    • About
    • Contact
    • Media
    • FAQ

    Category

    • Autism
    • Synesthesia
    • Unbelievably True Adventures
    • Body Language

    Follow Us

    Facebook Twitter Instagram

    Talk Nerdy To Me™ by: Jen Friel

    • Home
    • About
    • Posts
      • Autism
      • Synesthesia
      • Unbelievably True Adventures
      • Body Language Expert
    • Press