On Wednesday, March 19th, dozens of individuals gathered at the Emma L. Bowen Community Service Center, a leader in advancing mental health, social justice, and community empowerment in Harlem and beyond, to stand against discrimination and make a powerful statement for love, equality, and inclusion at Harlem’s first-ever NOH8 Campaign photoshoot.

“Bringing the NOH8 Campaign to Harlem—a community with a rich legacy of positive protest and transformative change—provided an opportunity to foster unity and amplify the voices of those advocating for equality, inclusion, and freedom of expression,” said Patricia Jordan, Board Chair of the Bowen Center. “For nearly 40 years, our organization has worked to dismantle the stigmas surrounding mental health, emerging as a steadfast beacon for the empowerment of marginalized communities.”

The NOH8 Campaign began nearly two decades ago as a photographic silent protest against California’s Proposition 8—a law widely seen as silencing the voices of the LGBTQ+ community. Created by celebrity photographer Adam Bouska and his partner Jeff Parshley, the campaign features subjects with duct tape over their mouths—a striking visual symbol of censorship—alongside the bold “NOH8” logo painted on one cheek. Originally centered around portraits of everyday Californians, the campaign has since grown to include over 100,000 participants worldwide, including elected officials, artists, military members, newlyweds, and celebrities.

The event welcomed participants from across all five boroughs of New York City, as well as neighboring communities in New Jersey. Among them was New York City Councilmember Shaun Abreu.

“As the Council Member for West Harlem, I’m proud to stand alongside our community and the Emma Bowen Center in support of the NOH8 Campaign, which continues to be a powerful force in the fight for equality and inclusion,” said Council Member Abreu. “Harlem has always been a place of resilience and unity, where we uplift one another and challenge injustice. The NOH8 Campaign’s message of love, equality, and amplifying every voice aligns deeply with the values we hold dear in this neighborhood. I thank the Bowen Center and its dedicated staff for bringing us together.”

PIX 11 reporter Grace Gomez reported on the event, speaking with Council Member Abreu, Bowen Deputy Executive Director Lawrence Fowler, the NOH8 co-founders, and several passionate participants.

CLICK IMAGE BELOW TO VIEW THE PIX 11 STORY

Thank you to everyone who come out in support of the NOH8 Campaign!