Three years after the NOH8 campaign visited the University of Alabama campus, the pro-equality organization will visit Tuscaloosa once again to take and produce photos for anyone who would like to participate in their now-famous style.

The campaign, which originally began in California in 2008 to protest the passage of Proposition 8, has traveled across the country in its six years of photographing people as a way to show support for equality of all people, regardless of gender or sexual identity.

“The campaign traveled through Tuscaloosa three years ago and had a great response,” President of Capstone Alliance Jessi Hitchins said. “Since it had been three years, NOH8 felt it would do well again as a whole group of people have not had the opportunity to show their support for this important issue.”

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Capstone Alliance is co-hosting the event, which will take place in Room 120 Lloyd Hall on Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. All are welcome to come and get their photo taken for a processing and print fee of $40 for a solo photo and $25 per person for couple and group photos.

Hitchins, who is also the assistant director of the Women’s Resource Center, said she had her photo taken with her spouse when NOH8 came to Tuscaloosa before and said she’s excited to have the campaign return.

“When people walk into my office, this 20×20 framed photo is the first thing that they see,” Hitchins said. “I want people to know that we stand with LGBTQ+ people and actively work towards ending gender and sexual discrimination. This lets people know my values, and we will be there to forge forward.”

NOH8 has photographed thousands of people, including hundreds of celebrities, through the last several years, each in their signature look: a piece of tape over the mouth with the NOH8 logo written on the cheek.

Hitchins said faculty, staff, students, children and community members are invited to attend and show their support for marriage and gender equality.

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A number of campus and community organizations in addition to Capstone Alliance have already pledged support and sponsorship for the event, including Spectrum, University Presbyterian Church, Grace Aberdean Habitat Alchemy, Pink Box Burlesque and Equality Alabama.

The Rev. Cathy C. Hoop of University Presbyterian Church said members of her congregation will take a group photo at the event Sunday.

Hoop said UPC has long supported efforts within the Presbyterian Church to give LGBTQ members full access to all aspects of the church.

“When we have couples sitting in our pews who have been together for years and years, who are raising children together, volunteering at the church and in the community, but cannot be married to the person they love, we find that to be an injustice,” Hoop said. “Christ lived a life of radical hospitality. Religious leaders were continually shocked by the people with whom he associated. His own followers, who weren’t exactly the upper crust, couldn’t even understand why he chose to befriend outsiders. If he had to break rules to show compassion, then that’s what he did. He taught that love, compassion, forgiveness and mercy trump everything else.”

Hitchins said the visual representation of support that the NOH8 campaign provides is a powerful symbol of solidarity with those facing discrimination.

“This campaign can break barriers, create coalitions and reduce isolation that LGBTQ+ experience,” Hitchins said.

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