Messages of Hope

This year, the NOH8 Campaign scheduled its open shoot in College Station, Texas to coincide with the You-Are-Loved Chalk Message Project. While people were getting their NOH8 photos taken on-stage at the Rudder Theatre, others were taking the time to write their own messages of support. Texas A&M University's GLBT Resource Center helped us coordinate the project, spreading a roll of black construction paper and colored chalk along the edge of the stage. As the holiday weekend comes to a close and we all prepare to return to work, we wanted to leave you with this banner to reflect on.

Click Photo to Enlarge. To fully enlarge, click once, then click the square in the bottom right-hand corner to expand.

This image is a combination of images of the entire banner that was created, captured by NOH8Photographer Adam Bouska. The banner features art and messages from the entire College Station community.

The You-Are-Loved Chalk Message Project is a suicide-prevention awareness event held each October that encourages the public display of positive messages of hope - via sidewalk chalk - intending that the message will positively affect someone passing by the message. Check out USA Today's article on the Project here.

By spreading positive, affirming messages like the ones in the Chalk Message Project, we increase the chances that somebody who is feeling lonely, confused, or desperate will see the messages and gain some hope. Knowing that someone out there is on their side - even if they don't necessarily know who - it can really give people a sense of empowerment and community.

Thank you again to all our friends at Texas A&M for their incredible help. You guys are doing incredible things for your community; keep up the great work!