Broadway diva Idina Menzel has joined
the NOH8 Campaign, the silent protest which raises awareness and
funds for gay rights causes, including ending California's 2008
voter-approved gay marriage ban, Proposition 8.
The 40-year-old Menzel, who currently
guest stars on Fox's Glee as teacher Shelby Corcoran, first
gained notoriety playing lesbian Maureen Johnson in the Broadway
musical Rent, a role which she reprised in the big screen
adaption of the play. She went on to win a Tony Award for her
portrayal of Elphaba in the Broadway musical Wicked.
The NOH8 Campaign is helmed by
photographer-activist Adam Bouska and his partner Jeff Parshley. The
pair photograph celebrities and everyday folks with their mouths duct
taped and the campaign's familiar “NOH8” slogan often written on
one cheek.
In
her photograph, Menzel holds her hand over her duct taped mouth
while wearing a white button-down shirt.
Mendez recently opined that Rent
and Wicked appeal to young
gay kids because the musicals celebrate being true to yourself.
Earlier this month, Menzel released
Idina Menzel Live: Barefoot at the Symphony on iTunes.