Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
has posed for the NOH8 Campaign, which raises awareness and funds for
gay rights causes, including ending California's 2008 voter-approved
gay marriage ban, Proposition 8.
The campaign's Adam Bouska and his
partner Jeff Parshley photograph celebrities, politicians,
professional athletes and everyday folks with their mouths duct taped
and the campaign's familiar “NOH8” slogan often written on one
cheek.
Villaraigosa posed for the photo in
September along with other city officials but his photograph was
officially released this week.
“If we truly believe in family
values, we should value all families,” Villaraigosa
said in a statement. “I have supported marriage equality since
1994, opposed and fought Proposition 8, and I am proud to serve as
chair of the first national convention – Democrat or Republican –
to adopt marriage equality as part of the party platform. It is a
privilege to join with NOH8 in their national campaign to fight
bigotry and raise awareness about LGBT equality. Changing hearts and
minds is a crucial step on the path toward full civil rights for the
LGBT community.”