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Bouska on Cindy McCain's NOH8 Shoot


Cindy McCain x390 (Fair Use) I Advocate.com

Adam Bouska’s NO H8 photos have become the symbol of ending discrimination against gays and lesbians ... and as of this morning, former would-be first lady Cindy McCain has become one of the campaign’s spokesmodels. Photographer Adam Bouska talks about shooting Cindy and her daughter Meghan, their efforts to change what it means to be a Republican, and why Cindy is speaking out for gay rights now.

Advocate.com: Cindy McCain is a huge get for the NO H8 campaign. Were you surprised to learn she was interested in posing?
Adam Bouska: We were really shocked. We were in the studio working on shooting the cover for Meghan McCain’s new tell all book — memories from being on the road, from her public speaking. Her mom just came to the studio to show her support that day, and then she reached out to us and wanted to do it. So we were very surprised.

Spending some time in the studio with Cindy, did you get the impression she really understands why gay people are so upset about Prop. 8?
Definitely. We all kind of discussed the issues. She as well as her daughter seemed really involved and interested. We talked about a little bit of everything. We were in the studio from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. together, so it was clear she really understood. Looking at her past record, she’s always supported gay rights. And Meghan has been doing a lot of redefining what a Republican stands for. This is a big issue for her, and so I think it’s become important to her mom.

Did they give you any indication whether John McCain is moving in the direction of supporting marriage equality?
Um, I got that impression. I don’t know that I should speak much about it, but I definitely got that impression.

Are you a little bummed Cindy waited until after Prop. 8 passed in California to voice her objection? Do you think her support might have helped if she’d spoken out during the election?
I would like to think so, but then I think everyone could have done more. We just never considered it could ever happen. I don’t think I did enough either. It’s easy to look back and talk about what we all could have done, but it’s nice to see what she’s doing now. We’re so happy she did do it ... there are a lot of people haven’t or won’t do it for many reasons, so the fact that she did is important.
 
Who would have the most influence if they were to pose for the NO H8 Campaign?
Well, Barack Obama. If here is anyone who can make a difference, for obvious reasons, it’s the president. Now we just have to wait and see.

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Reader Comments
  • Name: Tim
    Date posted: 1/25/2010 6:35:11 PM
    Hometown: Houston

    Comment:

    Edward--that's Cindy! Meghan's pic (you can google it) is more on profile, and she's holding an elephant in her hands!

  • Name: Dan W.
    Date posted: 1/25/2010 4:04:11 PM
    Hometown: Honolulu

    Comment:

    Forget Barack, let's get Michele!

  • Name: Edmond
    Date posted: 1/22/2010 7:35:22 PM
    Hometown: Seattle, WA

    Comment:

    I believe that is Meghan McCain in the photo, not her mother Cindy.

  • Name: Luis Boki
    Date posted: 1/22/2010 10:54:35 AM
    Hometown: San Francisco

    Comment:

    You gotta love the rethugs. Having Cinful McSame and her wicked step daughter pose for this campaign while John McSame continues to work against the Gay Marriage initiative is a brilliant stroke. The gay community that feels rightfully neglected, or rather, betrayed by the disappointing President Obama non-action, will most likely mistake this for support of our initiatives. It wont change a thing, but, the Log Cabin rethugs will feel empowered and the rethugs will breeze back into control of both Houses and the Presidency (Sandra Pallinaround is a perfect recipient of The Supremes decision to allow corporate funding to run amok. It is classic and why the rethugs are far better politicians than the weak rear end Dems ever could be.

  • Name: Lili
    Date posted: 1/21/2010 6:51:39 PM
    Hometown: Woodland Hills

    Comment:

    I would have never agreed with the McCains on anything but this is a mothers love for her kid. Kudos to her. The First Lady needs to speak up...and fast.

  • Name: Carlos
    Date posted: 1/21/2010 5:51:16 PM
    Hometown: Montreal/Canada

    Comment:

    Bravo, Bravo!

  • Name: David Michael Conner
    Date posted: 1/21/2010 11:59:22 AM
    Hometown: Washington, D.C.

    Comment:

    The Obamas can't support NOH8 until President Obama admits that his support of civil unions (only, not marriage) is a "separate but equal" perspective that time has proven to be unconstitutional and unjust—in other words, hateful and discriminatory by way of public policy. It's incredible, though, that Cindy McCain has made this statement. I have a feeling her daughter (who really hasn't learned yet all she needs to know to be an informed pundit, but seems to be on the right path) will stand by her words. I wonder if Cindy would state that she supports gay marriage legislation if she had to discuss it publicly in the context of her husband's career.

  • Name: Lickety Splitz
    Date posted: 1/21/2010 12:55:00 AM
    Hometown: Lez Not Go There

    Comment:

    Once upon a time, before the Reagan-era unholy aliance with the Religious Right, the dominant voice of the Republican party was a libertarian one. The McCain's can trace their political ideology to another Republican senator from Arizona, Barry Goldwater, who said, "Religious factions will go on imposing their will on others unless the decent people connected to them recognize that religion has no place in public policy. They must learn to make their views known without trying to make their views the only alternatives." What Meghan and Cindy are doing, by proxy, is to give a voice to the Republican party's libertarian principles that have been eclipsed by the Religios Rght. Hopefully, John McCain will have the courage to step out on his own.

  • Name: Doug
    Date posted: 1/20/2010 11:03:08 PM
    Hometown: VB

    Comment:

    I wonder if Michelle would ever do something like that???

  • Name: Wes
    Date posted: 1/20/2010 7:49:51 PM
    Hometown: CLT

    Comment:

    I don't know whose picture this is, but it is certainly not Cindy McCain's. If it is, its been photo-shopped and airbrushed within an inch of her life. It could be anybody, and thus she cannot claim that "she" was the person on this image. It would be more impressive if MISTER McCain would stand with us.



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