Cindy McCain, wife of the 2008 Republican presidential nominee, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), is the latest high-profile public figure to come out in support of gay marriage, posing for the NOH8 Campaign, a campaign protest of California’s Proposition 8, the 2008 voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage.
John McCain is a staunch opponent of gay marriage, but it has become clear this position is not supported in his own household.
His daughter, Meghan, is a vocal advocate for gay rights. Now his wife, Cindy, has appeared on behalf of the campaign, photographed with duct tape across her mouth and ”NOH8” written on one cheek.
John McCain’s office said in a statement that he respected the views of his family but remained opposed to gay marriage. “Senator McCain believes the sanctity of marriage is only defined as between one man and one woman,” it said. In 2008 McCain backed a measure in his home state of Arizona to ban same-sex marriage.
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Meghan McCain also appears in the poster campaign. “I couldn’t be more proud of my mother for posing for the NOH8 campaign,” she wrote on Twitter. “I think more Republicans need to start taking a stand for equality.
The NOH8 Campaign is a photo project and silent protest launched by celebrity photographer Adam Bouska and his partner Jeff Parshley.
The campaign started with portraits of everyday Californians who support marriage equality, and soon rose to celebrities, military personnel, law enforcement, politicians and more. Photos feature subjects with duct tape over their mouths symbolizing their voices not being heard.
Said the campaign: “We have a huge amount of respect for both of these women for being brave enough to make it known they support equal marriage rights for all Americans.”
