The kiss heard around the world!
Monday, August 17th, 2009On June 29th, 2009 security guards and local police harassed a gay couple for kissing in a restaurant in El Paso, Texas. The police told the couple that their acts were illegal. On July 10th, 2009 after two men kissed on a promenade, security guards handcuffed and detained them. The two men were later cited for “trespassing”. What do people do after members of their community are harassed, detained, and told their innocent actions are illegal and immoral? Well they protest…non-violently of course.
On Saturday, August 15th, people across the country participated in a nationwide kiss-in in approximately 50 cities. Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and even straight people participated in the rallies by bringing their partners to designated public places for a special kiss. LGBT activists David Badash and David Mailloux, with the help of Willow Witte from Join the Impact, coordinated the nationwide event. Anna Conda, a local drag queen activist, coordinated the one in San Francisco, which was held in Union Square. “This is about showing up as a community, says Anna Conda. “This is about showing our love is real. It is about taking back the day and our place in it and stopping on a national level the harassment of Queer people everywhere.”
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