The NOH8 Campaign—a nonprofit, photographic silent protest against the passage of Proposition 8 in California that has expanded to an international campaign for equality—brought its public photo-shoot concept to the W Boston on Sunday afternoon. Originally scheduled to take place in Tokyo, the shoot changed locations in light of the recent earthquake, and planners had a two week lead time to make all the preparations.
NOH8 co-founders, celebrity photographer Adam Bouska and partner Jeff Parshley, called on the W Boston to put together the open photo shoot after their trip to Japan was canceled. The hotel's brand was a common-sense partnership for NOH8, according to Bouska. "The W's an extremely forward-thinking brand," he said, noting that the campaign has held shoots at 15 W hotels across the country. "The hotels are also used to hosting events with a large volume of traffic." Some 650 guests made it out to Boston's iteration.
The traffic was dispersed among three areas on the W's second floor. Two event spaces served as temporary photo studios, and the hotel's Great Room served as a lounge area where guests bellied up to a cash bar and danced to Madonna and Lady Gaga songs from the Foxy Action Group DJs. Kris Kneivel, a drag performer in a silver sequined dress, called out guests' numbers when it was their turn to head to the photo studio.
Before the main event, a V.I.P. photo shoot let the photographers capture images of notable locals including reality TV star Hoopz, TV Diner hosts Jenny Johnson and Billy Costa, and Gargoyles chef and former Top Chef contestant Jason Santos.
The event's admission cost, $40 for individual photos and $25 for each person in a group shot, will help fund travel costs to bring the campaign to other cities. The NOH8 Campaign had racked up more than 11,000 photos prior to its Boston photo shoot and the team plans to reach another 18 cities by the end of June. "We're showing this is not just a California issue" said Bouska. "It's a way for people to physically get up and stand up for what they believe in."
