Gay Bloggers Call for Nationwide Kiss-In

As I reported here a few weeks ago, there have been two situations in the past month where gay couples were harassed and detained by security guards and local police for kissing in public. In El Paso, Texas and Deseret, UT, where the incidents occurred, "Kiss-In" protests were held by the local LGBT communities and gay-friendly supporters.

Gay bloggers, David Badash, of "The New Civil Rights Movement" and "The Bilerico Project" and David Mailloux, of "Dym Sum", have called on the LGBT community to take the protest national with The Great Nationwide Kiss-In.

Badash and Mailloux write on their Facebook page:

"We are two bloggers who believe that any person anywhere should be able to kiss whomever they want, whenever they want.

We both believe that there's not enough love and affection in the world, because most people are afraid to show it. We should never be afraid of brief, unimposing displays of affection. There is nothing wrong with a hug, a kiss on the mouth, a kiss on the cheek.

Together, with the help of Willow Witte and the national Join The Impact group, we are coordinating a nationwide event on August 15, 2009 at 2 p.m., EDT (or 11 a.m., PDT) It's called "The Great Nationwide Kiss-In" and you're invited - all of you! - to either plan a Kiss-In event in your city or town, or simply participate in an existing one.

Okay, you ask, but what does this mean? What is a Kiss-In?

Well, it's quite simple. On the suggested date and time, in a public place - whether it's a park or plaza or popular thoroughfare in your city or town - you'll bring your husband or wife or partner or boyfriend or girlfriend or good friend, and at 2 p.m., you'll kiss. It's one of the simplest things in the world to do!

After incidents in San Antonio, TX, El Paso, TX and Salt Lake City, UT - where different gay and lesbian couples were harassed or detained by law enforcement or other people for the simple act of kissing in a public place - we need to make a strong statement to everyone everywhere: kissing is not a bad thing, nor has it ever been. It's not vulgar or inappropriate. It's a sign of affection that is as old as time itself. And it's a beautiful thing that we share with our loved ones every single day."

For a list of scheduled Kiss-Ins, click here. There are no Kiss-In events currently scheduled for Roanoke, or anywhere else in Virginia.

Click here for information about the Kiss-In planned for the National Mall in Washington, DC.

View the promotion video for the Nationwide Kiss-In below: