While both the environmental and animal rights movements have been heavily influenced by media presence, I feel as though the gay liberation movement must be addressed in this post. The NO H8 campaign has been prevalent in part because of California rejecting the right for gays to marry. After further research of this campaign many would be surprised to know that the co-founders, Jeff Parshley and Adam Bouska, are fashion photographers. Both moved to the southern California area to pursue careers in photography. Just as Jerry Rubin quickly learned that by playing the role, he could make the news, these co-founders “play the role” of figureheads of the gay liberation movement (Gitlin 2009). Many of their tactics include working with celebrities wearing a NO H8 logo. Both Parshley and Bouska are in their twenties and are active members in gay liberation, however, I would question how the media has changed their image and thus involvement in the movement.
The observer has turned into the observed. Looking at gay liberation movement, environmental movement, and animal rights movement, it becomes clear how much of a crucial role the media plays in perpetuating a certain image of each movement. The media then presents this image to the public. The public, or masses, see a very limited view of the media’s representation of a social movement. People may view a PETA ad of a nude celebrity in protest to animal cruelty and believe this is what the movement stands for. What the media most often fails to recognize are the true members of a movement attempting to make a change. Often the face of a movement, or a celebrity, does not share the same fundamental interests as original members and as a result the movement’s message become blurred between reality and image.
http://www.noh8campaign.com/
I also chose to write about how the media has affected the gay rights movement. Your information about Jeff Parshley and Adam Bouska was very interesting. I was not aware of their NO H8 campaign, but I think it's a great example of the presence of the movement in the media. You stated that "often the face of a movement, or a celebrity, does not share the same fundamental interests as original members...", and I think that you are definitely right in some instances. At the same time, I know that some of these celebrities really do promote ideas that they strongly believe in. For instance, the Kardashians who you have posted above have all spoken openly about their beliefs in equality for gays and lesbians.
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