http://13lovestories.org 13LoveStories.com is a unique multimedia advocacy project that profiles the moving stories of thirteen couples whose lives were profoundly affected by Proposition 8 – the recent California ballot initiative that eliminated the right of same-sex couples to marry. Read more… Screenings + Exhibitions

13LoveStories.com is a unique multimedia advocacy project that profiles the moving stories of thirteen couples whose lives were profoundly affected by Proposition 8 – the recent California ballot initiative that eliminated the right of same-sex couples to marry. Read more… Screenings + Exhibitions Sign Up For Our Newsletter Help us get this project out even further:Donate to 13LoveStories.com		13LoveStories.com to the tune of Jason Mraz’s hit song “I’m Yours”

In the media campaign leading up to the hotly contested November 2008 vote, something essential was missing: images of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer couples whose relationships hung in the balance. 13LoveStories.com presents a series of short films that redress the absence of such images. Featuring real voices and personal photographs, the films provide direct access to a diverse cross-section of committed couples in and around Los Angeles.

The project began in late January 2009. London-based photographer Gideon Mendel made portraits of each couple along with still life pictures from their homes. UCLA students worked with the couples to unearth an array of snapshots from their personal archives. Creative editor Derrick Shore interviewed the couples and created short videos from the plethora of assembled materials. The videos were completed in mid-February, just in time to go live on Valentine?s Day. An outdoor exhibition version of 13LoveStories.com was launched at Bruin Plaza on the UCLA campus, March 5, 2009, the day that oral arguments in the case are presented to the California Supreme Court.

The project was directed by Mendel in collaboration with co-curators David Gere and Janna Shadduck Hernandez, professors at UCLA (University of California – Los Angeles), and it was produced by Bobby Gordon.

We would like to thank the team of UCLA students for their engagement and phenomenal commitment to this project.

All the members of the 13LoveStories.com team pay tribute to the courage of the participating couples, who allowed us into their lives with such generosity and openness. They have chosen to expose their private relationships to a wide public audience, hoping that their tales of love can help change attitudes and combat the injustice that they have all experienced through the passing of Proposition 8.

Credits + Acknowledgements Gideon Mendel – Photographer, Project Director David Gere – co-curator Janna Shadduck Hernandez – co-curator Derrick Shore – creative editor and music Bobby Gordon – producer Brittany Maxwell – digital image coordinator, graphic designer Michael Tank – website design Robert Een – music Yolanda Arzate – music Sami Freeman – additional music Cathryn Dhanatya – director of finance, UCLA Art | Global Health Center Ariel Stevenson – strategic planning/AGHC Margaux Permutt – assistant/AGHC Jeremy Peretz – assistant/AGHC Brenda Freiberg – chair of advisory board Noel Alumit – community organizer/advisory board Jenna Delgado – graduate student researcher Marjan Vayghan – photo album consultant Cari Ann Henderson – video consultant Eder Cetina/Olson Visual – exhibition production Couples / Student Collaborators Steven and Glenn / Amanda Demetrus and Victor Leclere Jean and Maribeth / Molly Temple Raymond and Byron / Sahra Nguyen and Shamine Shaw Kalil and Karin / Nadia Guizar Leona and Grace / Aubree Stark and Kaitlin Cressman Travis / Aja Gomez Lilia and Kelley / Jenna Delgado Lawrence and Julian / Marjan Vayghan Tom and Davidson / Julia Pate Leticia and Yolanda / Maia D’anna Travis and Greg / Abe Miller Patricia and Evelyn / Alexis Wilkinson Cas and Ricky / Ali Geering-Kline Co-sponsors UCLA Art | Global Health Center UCLA LGBT Campus Resource Center UCLA Center for Labor Research and Education UCLA Department of World Arts and Cultures UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture UCLA Student Coalition for Marriage Equality
	For more information, or to host the exhibition or a screening, contact: Robert Gordon 310.794.9208 robert.gordon (at) arts.ucla.edu

http://13lovestories.org