On Sunday, March 13^th, and in honor of Pridefest South Florida, W Fort Lauderdale will host the NOH8 Campaign, inviting the South Florida community to help break the silence against marriage inequality. Photographer Adam Bouska will photograph 5-10 frames for each person that participates. The final selection he chooses will be retouched and made available through the website: www.NOH8Campaign.com. Solo NOH8 photos are $40/person while any group or couple photos are $25/person in the photo.  Adam talked with Mark’s List about the NOH8 campaign and his appearance in Fort Lauderdale.

You’re going to be down in Fort Lauderdale this weekend at The W during Pridefest. Can you tell us about your appearance?

It will be my second time in Fort Lauderdale, so I’m looking forward to coming back. We will be at Pridefest on Saturday to support pride and to promote the NOH8 photo shoot. Then we will be hosting the actual photo shoot at The W (open to all ages) on Sunday. Anyone who wants to support the NOH8 campaign can come by and have a photo taken.

Are you surprised by the amount of support the NOH8 campaign has received over the last two years?

It’s been extremely overwhelming. We weren’t activists before the campaign started.  In the first year we had about 400 photos and in the second year we jumped up to about 11,000 photos. It’s gotten quite a bit of attention this past year, and we are trying to do as much with it as possible while we have the support of the community and the attention of the media.

Has there been anyone who has participated in the campaign that surprised you?

There are a lot of people who have surprised me.  Cindy McCain did the shoot, and I think that showed that a lot of conservatives also support this cause; it’s not a political or party issue, but more of a human right’s issue that everyone needs to speak up about.

Who are your top three people who have not been photographed that you would like to see?

I have a long list (laughs).  I would really like to see President Obama take a stand for marriage equality. He’s always been on the fence about the issue and I think he needs to make a stand for equality as a role model in this country as the President of the United States. With all the LGBT suicides in the headlines this past year, it’s important to show that there are no second class citizens in the United States. I think he would be a great person to do it.  I would love to see Oprah.  She has a huge following and I believe she would be able to draw a lot of awareness to the cause. And I would also like to see Ellen DeGeneres—she still hasn’t taken a photo either.  She’s done a lot for LGBT rights, and she’d be a perfect advocate for our cause.

What’s next on the agenda after Pridefest?

Later this month we will be heading to our first International shoot in Tokyo, Japan, so that’s a big milestone for our campaign. They are dealing with a variety of human right’s issues there and LGBT issues in particular are generally not discussed in the community. Recently, there were homophobic slurs used by one of the politicians, so there is definitely some tension growing.  There is more and more animosity growing within the community, and we are hoping to gain support for our campaign and give them the NOH8 photos as tools to speak out.

Is taking the NOH8 campaign global the next big step?

Definitely, but we are not done in the United States either. We would like to visit every state in some respect, but the timing is right to go international right now and hopefully set the stage for other countries. We would like to spread the word that this is not just a United States issue, but more of a global issue. It’s 2011—there’s too much hate and war in this world for love to still be an issue. There is strength in numbers and we can all fight this together. There’s still a long journey ahead, and we just want to fight discrimination and raise awareness to the fact that we are all different.

What do you think about pop-culture shows like “Glee” bringing LGBT issues to the masses?

I’m a huge fan of “Glee” and I think what they are doing is amazing. It just goes to show that people can speak up about these issues in so many ways. What they’ve done with “Glee” is such a beautiful thing. It portrays the LGBT community in a positive way.  There is a gay character on the show that’s portrayed in a positive light, and it makes these issues easily relatable for a lot of people. They’ve done a fantastic thing.

Read more about Adam Bouska: www.bouska.net

ABOUT NOH8: On November 4, 2008 Proposition 8 passed in California, amending the state Constitution to ban same-sex marriage. The defeat provoked a groundswell of initiative within the GLBT community at a grassroots level, with many new political and protest organizations being formed in response. 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.  The NOH8 Campaign is an approved 501(c)(3), donations will be tax-deductible up to the amount allowable by law.

ABOUT W FORT LAUDERDALE: W Fort Lauderdale brings “Oceanfront Wow” to the shores of South Florida, positioned directly on Fort Lauderdale Beach and the crystal blue Atlantic waters. With interior design envisioned by acclaimed Clodagh Design, W Fort Lauderdale provides a modern, fully integrated lifestyle experience, including Whiskey Blue, a stylish bar and lounge from famed nightlife entrepreneurs Rande and Scott Gerber; Stephen Starr’s STEAK 954, a modern interpretation of the traditional steakhouse; and Bliss^® spa, New York’s hottest spa. Developed by The DYL Development Group, this sleek,escape-from-the-ordinary hotel features 517 stylishly appointed guest rooms, including 35 luxurious suites, a state-of-the-art gym, glamorous infinity pools and private cabanas, a full-service WIRED business center and W Hotels’ signature Whatever/Whenever Concierge Service. 401 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL | 954.414.8200 |www.wfortlauderdalehotel.com