Love, Respect and the right to show affection in public for EVERYBODY! 

The short version: 

 I want to make a coffee table book of my photography!  It's going to take 4 months and a trip around the US with a team of 3 dedicated friends and a bit of cash!  My purpose, a really awesome book showcasing my photography while helping build cultural acceptance of public affection of same sex couples. 

The long version:

In May of 2011, 2 men holding hands while walking across the busy Hawthorn Bridge in Portland Oregon were followed and attacked by a group of men.  Nobody helped!

Following this event, a local organization approached me and asked me if I would donate my time and Photography to help launch an outreach campaign.  The purpose of the campaign, cultural acceptance of public affection between same sex couples.  The idea; take pictures of local men in intimate but publicly appropriate embraces and plaster these photos all over the greater Portland metro area on 17 billboards.

I was moved by the sheer courage displayed by the men who stepped up and allowed themselves to be photographed for public display throughout the Portland area. This wasn't just coming out as being gay, this was more like, HEY LOOK WORLD, I'M GAY AND PROUD!  I WILL SHOW MY LOVE FOR MY PARTNER AND YOU CAN JUST DEAL WITH IT!!!  Screaming from the rooftops, almost literally! 

I knew right away this campaign is bigger than Portland!  These photos need to be taken and these stories need to be heard! 

I don't expect a book to solve the problem of bullying and gay bashing but maybe, just maybe, next time somebody in my neighborhood (or yours) gets attacked, more people will step up and yell STOP!  

My, not so little, project/contribution to the cause.  

Starting in Feb of 2012 I will leave my home in Portland Oregon for a road trip of a life time!  I plan on taking a leave from my current job as well as putting my photography business on hold for several months following my departure.

The goal is to visit at least one major city in all 50 states to take pictures and record stories from courageous same sex couples living their lives together, showing their affection for one another in public.  

I will be collecting images as well as intimate stories of pain, love and courage.  Since not every couple I meet will end up in the book, I plan on updating fans and supporters on facebook.  There will be video interviews, stories, people sharing their thoughts,  photos from the travels, etc.

I have estimated that it will take 2 1/2 months to go from state to state and one month to assemble and self publish the book.  (Unless a publisher steps up and wants to publish the book)  The book will be available for purchase by June/early July, 2012.  

Some of the cities I plan on visiting:

If you think I should come to your city, make sure you post a memo on my facebook!
Especially if you represent an organization that represents the LGTBQ community.

• Phoenix
• Huston
• San Francisco
• Orlando
• Atlanta
• Chicago
• Des Monies
  
• Indianapolis
  
• Wichita
• Baltimore
• Las Vegas
• Philadelphia

What your contributions are paying for:

I have an actual cost break down in my business plan but basically... Salary for the 4/5 months I will not be working.  (I believe in the cause but I do not want to lose my home or studio in the process, that won't help anybody!) 

I have included the cost of a rental car, hotels, food and a small salary for me and a crew of 3.  (hehe, I rhymed)    I started planning the tour dates and stops.  This drive is not going to be for the faint of heart!  We have lots of distance to cover in a short amount of time. 

I also plan on having t-shirts and posters made to hand out to people we meet to help spread the love/promote the launch of the book.  

I will be doing some fund raising on my own but the less money I need to come up with myself means the more time I will be able to reach out to people and get the photos, stories and other content for the book!  The more content I have, the bigger and better the book and facebook will be!  The better the book, the more hearts I can reach!!!

The money will go to all of the above plus of course the obvious, an editor (I may be a great photographer but I can't spell to save my life!) and first run printing costs. 

The book will be a 200 to 400 page, 8.5"x11",  Soft cover, perfect bound, beautifully inspiring coffee table book.  I have estimated the first run of 200 copies, (250 color pages) to cost about 6000.00  That being said, the more donated, the better quality I can make the book!   I really need 30,000.00 realistically but as you know, all or nothing so I am asking for 20,000 just in case!

You can follow my progress here:

www.facebook.com/lovetakescourage.us

Thanks for your support! 

Gina

P.S.  Although the funds raised here are going towards the creation of the book, additional pledges will help me create future books and projects!  

 Well ... we will see what happens but a second book, more outreach, more billboards and more love sure sounds great to me!