Gay rights supporters in California say they have found an unlikely ally in Cindy McCain, the wife of Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona, who lent her name this week to the cause of same-sex marriage.
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McCain's support comes as Proposition 8 proponents and opponents battle over the constitutionality of California’s ban on gay marriage in a San Francisco federal court. The ad features McCain, right hand over her heart, wind rustling her blond locks, with "No H8" written on her cheek and silver duct tape over her mouth.
"To have the wife of a Republican presidential candidate really turns everything upside down", said John Henning, executive director of pro-gay marriage group Love Honor Cherish. "People expect conservatives to be against same-sex marriage, and more and more conservatives are saying that they favour it."
The photograph of McCain was a spontaneous decision, said No H8 Campaign co-founder Adam Bouska. McCain's daughter Meghan, who had been involved with the campaign, had come to Bouska's studio for a photo shoot for her new book, "Dirty Sexy Politics".
Cindy McCain, who had accompanied her daughter, saw the "No H8" photo of her daughter holding an elephant and a few minutes later voiced an interest in participating in the "No H8" campaign. Bouska, the campaign's photographer, said he was "surprised and honoured" by the decision.
Henning said McCain's support would help redefine the Republican brand and help turn the tide against Proposition 8.
A Los Angeles Times/USC poll published in November found that 51% of Californians favoured marriage rights for gay couples, with 43% opposed.
Family values groups scoffed at Cindy McCain’s supposed role in redefining the Republican party.
"There's probably a reason she's not first lady", Perkins said. "People were worried about the influence she would have on social issues such as this."