Kansas City Center for Inclusion Hosting the NOH8 Photo Shoot on October 11th

The Kansas City Center for Inclusion (KCCI), Kansas City’s only LGBTQ+ community center, is pleased to announce its partnership with UMB Bank to host the NOH8 Campaign photo shoot on October 11, 2017 at 6PM at KCCI’s office, 3911 Main Street, Kansas City, MO.
 
KCCI, Kansas City’s only LGBTQ+ community center — along with UMB Bank’s PRIDE Business Resource Group — scheduled the NOH8 Campaign photo shoot on October 11 to coincide with National Coming Out Day.
 
The NOH8 Campaign is a photographic collection created by celebrity photographer Adam Bouska and partner Jeff Parshley to show the personal side of the effects of the 2008 passage of California’s Proposition 8, which outlawed gay marriage in the state. Since that time, the NOH8 photographers have taken more than 55,000 photos of people, including Kansas City celebrities Major Sly James and Congressman Emanuel Cleaver.
 
The campaign, which started seven years ago, 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 from across the globe.
 
While inspired by the passage of Prop 8 and the fight for marriage equality, the scope of the NOH8 Campaign has grown to stand against discrimination and bullying of all kinds. The message of 'No Hate' can be interpreted and applied broadly, and everyone can relate to the message of NOH8 in their own way.
 
The NOH8 Campaign has received overwhelming support from around the world, and has appeared in various local and national news programs and publications. The images are widely used on various social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to proudly show support for equal rights.
 
To date, NOH8 Campaign has hosted official photo shoots in 48 of the 50 United States (plus D.C.) and 20 countries around the world.
 
“It has always been a desire of mine to bring the NOH8 Campaign back to the Kansas City area,” said Trevor French, chair of the UMB Bank PRIDE Business Resource Group. “We’re excited to be able to get the NOH8 photographers to come to Kansas City on a day where individuals are encouraged to ‘come out’ and identify as their authentic selves.”
 
“Bringing NOH8 back to the Kansas City area was one of my personal visions for the Center,” said David Lopez, KCCI board member and events chairperson.
 
The Kansas City Center for Inclusion, formerly the LIKEME Lighthouse-KC, has been operating in Kansas City since 2012.  In addition to providing a physical space and meeting location for over 30 local groups, KCCI hosts the annual Equality Teen Prom to provide a safe, welcoming space for area teens.
 
The community center previously hosted NOH8 in 2012 and 2015.
 
For questions about the upcoming NOH8 photo shoot, contact KCCI at 816-753-7770 during business hours: Monday to Thursday, 4PM to 8PM, and Friday to Sunday, 1PM to 5PM or visit inclusivekc.org.