2009 may be remembered as the year same-sex marriage took hold in the United States. Sadly, it may also be remembered as the year gay couples were repeatedly arrested – for kissing. Recently, three couples have been arrested by police after simply kissing in public. In December, two women in San Antonio, Texas, were arrested for “making out.” Then, in El Paso, Texas, on June 29, at a Chico’s Tacos restaurant two men were handcuffed and subsequently threatened with arrest by police after one kissed the other on the cheek. And most recently, in a well-publicized case, two men were detained by security guards of the Mormon Church, then arrested by police on July 10, yes, that’s right, for kissing.
Have we had enough?
I’ll be honest, I’m not one to engage often in public displays of affection. It’s not a moral issue for me – I say if you want to give your better half a kiss, or hold their hand while walking down the street, go for it. Lord knows, this world could use a lot more love, and a lot more people seeing people display acts of love, affection, and kindness.
But I’ll be damned if someone – citizen, neighbor, or the police – thinks they can tell me I can’t hold my boyfriend’s hand while walking down the street, or kiss him in public. And yes, I’ve been called “f*ggot” while kissing him on a street corner.
Enough is enough. It’s time we call these “peace officers” out. It’s time we showed them love can’t be stopped. It’s time for a nation-wide kiss-in.
And it’s important we do it in an organized, public, non-confrontational, but well-publicized manner.
I’m calling on all people: not just gays, but ALL people to stage a “kiss-in” on Saturday, August 15, at 2:00 PM.
So save the date! Contact me so we can organize, and let’s show America that love – and civil rights – comes in all shapes, sizes, colors, and yes, genders.
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(image: Athena’s Pix)