10 Members of Congress Pose for NOH8 Campaign

The NOH8 Campaign focused its camera on the nation’s capitol earlier this month, with 10 members of Congress donning white to pose for “NOH8 on the Hill."

The members of Congress who participated represent the District of Columbia, California, Oregon, Colorado, Massachusetts and Ohio, including Rep. Dennis Kucinich, the former Democratic presidential candidate who encouraged the photo campaign's venture to Capitol Hill and was the first to sit for the shoot.

"Our nation was founded upon the principle of equality,” he said in a statement released with his photo. “It is imperative that we work for equal rights for all in order to make that principle a reality. Love isn't gay or straight, tall or short, black or white; it is for everyone."

All of the 10 lawmakers photographed were Democrats, and although the shoot was open to any member of Congress, no Republicans chose to participate. Among the pictures is one member of the LGBT caucus. On the following pages, see all of the photos and the lawmakers' accompanying statements about why they chose to pose.  [The Advocate, NOH8 Campaign]

"On the same week that Maryland and Washington stepped up for marriage equality, I stood with NOH8 in solidarity with those who are fighting Prop 8 in California. Gay and lesbian Americans are part of the fabric that makes this country strong. The notion that we could ask these men and women to do everything from paying taxes to serving our country in uniform while denying them the right to marry is offensive to everything I believe in as a public servant. I won’t stop working for equal rights in Congress until they have been extended to every American."
- Rep. Earl Blumenauer

"The reason why I support the NOH8 Campaign is simple: our country rests on the principle that all people are equal, regardless of their gender or sexual orientation. If we deny that fact then we are no longer the Land of the Free. The most important freedom is the freedom to be the person you truly are and embrace the life you want to live. It’s my hope that LGBT youth across the country and in Massachusetts feel our encouragement and support. They are not alone. I stand firmly behind them, and the important message that NOH8 is spreading."  
- Rep. William Keating

"I’m proud to join over 20,000 participants who’ve posed in NOH8 photos depicting the silencing of equality by California’s Prop 8 and similar legislation around the world.   These pictures speak volumes about the will of the American people to be treated the same, regardless of race, religion or sexual orientation." 
- Rep. Judy Chu

"Hate does not belong in our communities, families, schools, the workplace and certainly not in our government.” 
- Rep. Barbara Lee

Check out the other five members and their statements after the jump.

Republican's Wife & Daugther Pose for NOH8 Campaign

Oh I love it.  Cindy McCain, the wife of former Presidential Candidate and Republican Senator from Arizona John McCain has teamed up with their daughter Meghan McCain in support of equal rights once again.

Two years ago they appeared in separate photo shoots for photographer and activist, Adam Bouska, but this year they have moved it up a notch and had themselves photographed together.  You gotta love'm both, thank you Cindy and Meghan!

You can see more pics from their photo shoot at the NOH8 Campaign website.

The Very Yummy Chandler Massey and Our Soap Operas

Oh, how I miss my soap operas.  I remember when Ryan and I used to sit and watch "Young and the Restless" and "Guiding Light."  Those were the "Days of Our Lives." LOL.

I've watched them my whole life.  I guess I could blame my mother for this, because I watched them through high school, and college.  Sometimes I would schedule my classes around "All My Children," "Days of Our lives," and "As The World Turns," just so I could see what was going to happen with Palmer, Bo, and Holden. LOL.

I was watching "One Life to Live" when Ryan Phillippe played the first gay character on a daytime soap.  He had to deal with coming out at a time when this sort of thing was unheard of.

Well... "Days of Our Lives" has taken on the gay issue, as almost all the shows have now.  But what makes this one so different from all the rest is, that none have been as hot as this one. :-)   If I said I wasn't in love with Chandler Massey, I'd be lying.  So I'll be honest, I'm in love with him.  He is so damn delicious.

In either case, kudos to Chandler for being a supporter of our Gay cause and for portraying a closeted homosexual until Scott (blue tank top) brings him "out" on the show.  He was recently caught scoping Scott out, so it's only a matter of time.  Scroll up and skim through all the pictures, you know you want to.

A portrait of Chandler Massey in support of NOH8, after the jump.  Courtesy of photographer, Adam Bouska.

Delta Work for Adam Bouska

I have to say, that out of all the contestants on RuPaul's Drag Race this season, none of them stuck to me like glue, like Ms. Delta Work.  She simply didn't put up with any of the petty bullshit thrown at her, and she kind of reminded me of Debbie from Queer as Folk.

When she was kicked off the show several weeks ago, all of us were disappointed, but we picked up the pieces and moved on.  We are definitely looking forward to the finale in a couple of weeks.  In the meantime, check out the great interview she recently had with The Seattle Gay Scene:

Delta Work, Where are you from?

Norwalk, California. Don’t you wish they all could be California girls?

When was your first time in drag and what did it feel like?

When I was 23, I was in a Madonna lip sync contest. I walked out on stage and fell completely on my ass. I felt like a complete idiot, but I got up and finished the damn thing. “Baptism by Fire”.

What makes you continue to perform and represent your community as a drag queen?

Performing, in a way, is like making your own music video or recreating a story, a time, and a place. Performing is also in many ways a commentary.

What was your first reaction when you heard the news on becoming a RPDR contestant?

I went CRAZY! I couldn’t see for a few hours and I lost my bowel control. It’s one hundred percent the highlight of my career, and I am so grateful.

How much tension was there in the hotel during the shooting of the show and were fremenies made?

In the hotel room, there is probably still tension there today. I always liked my time on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” as it is like going to band camp, but you don’t always make friends with everyone.

If you learned something from this show, what would that be?

You can’t convince others of your fierceness if you can’t convince yourself.

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three items would you absolutely need with you in order to survive?

Just Two: Music and Men!

Pick one – Lady Gaga or Cher?

Billie Holiday!