Adam Bouska (born October 31, 1983, in Decatur, Illinois) [1] is an American fashion photographer who runs a photography studio based out of West Hollywood, California. [1] Known for pictures of male models in particular, he is considered a rising 'superstar photographer' in the gay community. [2] Bouska is most recognized for co-creation of the internationally recognized NOH8 Campaign. [3]
Bouska has worked with familiar faces such as Miley Cyrus, Ricky Martin, Liza Minnelli, Barry Manilow, George Takei, Pauley Perrette, and Lisa Ling. Most recently, Bouska helped create book covers for Jane Lynch, [1] Jenny McCarthy, Jenni Pulos and Meghan McCain. [1] No stranger to activism, Bouska's photography has aided a variety of charitable causes including a fund-raising calendar for AIDS Project Los Angeles in 2008, [1] a national ad campaign with Nia Vardalos for HelpUsAdopt.org in 2011, an edgy calendar (6 packs / 9 lives) featuring men and their cats to promote adoptions for FoundAnimals.org in 2012, and 'Lights Out', a marriage equality ad campaign for ECOYA in 2013.
In addition to his published work, Bouska has made appearances on TV shows including: Running Russell Simmons, Giuliana & Bill, Keeping up with the Kardashians, The Real Housewives of Orange County, The Millionaire Matchmaker, Million Dollar Listing, The World According to Paris, Hollywood Exes, MelB: It's a Scary World, and Dog the Bounty Hunter.
Bouska is openly gay. [4] He lives in Los Angeles, California. Bouska was recognized as the community's leading photographer at the West Hollywood awards in 2007 & 2010, [5] selected as one of The Advocate's '40 Under 40' in 2010, featured as one of Out magazine's 'OUT100' [1] in 2011 and a Shorty Award winner for Photography in 2012. [6]
In November 2008, in response to the narrow approval in California of Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage, Bouska and his partner, Jeff Parshley, founded the NOH8 Campaign to promote the overturn of this ban. While beginning at a grassroots level, by April 2009 the campaign had seen support from such celebrities as Leslie Jordan, Shanna Moakler, and RichGirl; and became involved in the Miss USA 2009 controversy. [7] The campaign has now gained the support of other notables, including Johnny Depp, Liza Minnelli, Miley Cyrus, Annie Lennox, Kathy Griffin, Denise Richards, Jane Lynch, Mark Hoppus, Lisa Edelstein, Rose McGowan, Erin Cahill and Steve-O.
Liza May Minnelli is an American actress, singer, dancer, and choreographer. Known for her commanding stage presence and powerful alto singing voice, Minnelli has received numerous accolades, and is one of the few performers awarded a non-competitive EGOT. Minnelli is a Knight of the French Legion of Honour and subject of the 2024 documentary, Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story.
Shanna Lynn Moakler is an American actress, model and beauty pageant titleholder. She was the winner of the Miss New York USA pageant in 1995 and was the first runner-up at Miss USA 1995. After winner Chelsi Smith won the Miss Universe 1995 pageant, Moakler succeeded her as Miss USA. She was chosen as a Playmate of the Month for Playboy magazine in December 2001.
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Hannah Montana is an American teen sitcom created by Michael Poryes, Rich Correll, and Barry O'Brien that aired on Disney Channel for four seasons between March 2006 and January 2011. The series centers on Miley Stewart, a teenage girl living a double life as famous pop singer Hannah Montana, an alter ego she adopted so she could maintain her anonymity and live a normal life as a typical teenager. Episodes deal with Miley's everyday struggles to cope with the social and personal issues of adolescence while maintaining the added complexities of her secret identity, which she sustains by wearing a blonde wig. Miley has strong relationships with her brother Jackson and father Robby Ray, as well as her best friends Lilly Truscott and Oliver Oken, who become aware of her secret. Overarching themes include a focus on family and friendships as well as the importance of music and discovering one's identity.
Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr., known professionally as Perez Hilton, is an American blogger, columnist, and media personality. His blog is known for posts covering gossip items about celebrities, and for posting tabloid photos over which he has added his own captions or "doodles". His blog has garnered controversy for its attitude, its former practice of outing alleged closeted celebrities, and its role in the increasing coverage of celebrities in all forms of media.
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John Paul Calderon is an American professional volleyball player, model and reality show personality. In 2006, he was a contestant on Survivor: Cook Islands, the 13th season of the CBS reality show. The following year, he became a regular member of The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency. As part of his experience he was the February 2007 cover guy of Instinct magazine. He did so again in 2008, becoming the first man to be featured on their cover twice.
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