On March 14, we will welcome the NOH8 Campaign and hundreds of visitors to the church. A lot has changed since photographer Adam Bouska visited the Fig in October of 2011, as part of a weekend of NOH8 that began with a guest lecture from former Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Court Margaret Marshall. Justice Marshall was Chief Justice at the time of the pivotal ruling that found banning Same-Sex Marriage to be unconstitutional. She spoke of her childhood, growing up with her sister, Fig member Bridget deBraun, in South Africa, during dark times of turmoil and hearing Robert Kennedy give his famous “Ripple of Hope” speech in Johannesburg. That first event was such a memorable moment in the life of the parish and more importantly in the lives of those who came.
This is their third, and perhaps final time to come to Dallas (a girl can always hope), and I think the it is important to know what this means to different people. Here are some responses to the question “Why NOH8” with a few Facebook comments following the previous events.
Why NOH8? Because I believe in the NOH8 mission to promote marriage, gender and human equality. Because I more than believe, I know in my heart and the very depth of my soul that this is right and just and the way I want to live my life. It is an opportunity offered to all of us, as both a challenge and a gift: to stand and to work for justice and equality for all, to be able to offer love, compassion and understanding to all. I am glad I have been able to volunteer, and proud to have my photo among the many thousands made to promote NOH8.
– Julia Fesperman
I volunteered for NOH8 to show my support for the diversity and acceptance it represents. I also believe it is important to demonstrate these qualities to our children in a way they can actually see, and welcomed making them part of the process. The experience is one they still remember (how often do children get to see their parents with tape on their mouths?) and a family photo we still treasure. In addition, the event is also really enjoyable. From the helpful photographer to the lively diversions while in line, we felt welcomed and entertained throughout the entire process. As a volunteer, I also had the benefit of seeing what the experience meant to other participants, and the unique ways others chose to demonstrate their support. This event is important, meaningful, memorable and also just plain fun!
-Christy Jump Bogden
Like most of us, I do the walk the Christian walk. I pray. I go to church. I give. I try to help out. Like most of us on most days I don’t feel like I am clearly acting as the hands and feet of Christ. The day that I volunteered for NOH8 in 2011 was particularly different. That was a day when we welcomed over 840 people into Transfiguration, most of them not church members, to speak up for marriage equality. I spent the day passing out water and to showing people to the restroom. Over and over again people asked me, “What is this place?” It was my pleasure to tell them that this place was my church. I know that every day our church’s doors are open to the community, but when we host NOH8 we are communicating intentionality, an abundant openness that might no be clear on any given Sunday. That’s why I’ll be back again this year telling people where the bathroom is, handing out water, and saying, “yes, this place is my church.”
– Amy Ferrell
“The reason I volunteer for NOH8 is simple- marriage equality. These may just seem like nicely edited pictures, but posting these on Facebook or having a printed copy at your office can let your friends know where you stand on this important movement. The Fig is also are one of the only churches to host NOH8 photos shoots and I think the DFW community needs to know there is a church that welcomes ALL persons. I see my volunteering for this event as part of the welcoming ministry.”
-Mikey Whitman