Chicagoans part of nationwide kiss-in

Chicagoans part of nationwide kiss-in
by TRACY BAIM
Copyright by The Windy City times
2009-08-19
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=22103


Thousands of people took to the streets in dozens of cities Sat., Aug. 15 as part of "The Great Nationwide Kiss-In" to protest recent harassment and arrests of same-sex couples for kissing in public.
Two events were planned for the Chicago area, one in Oak Park and one downtown at Millennium Park's "Bean" sculpture. As hundreds of tourists streamed by the popular visitor's destination, including several straight wedding parties, kissers of all sexual orientations smooched for the cameras and public. There were no negative response, and many non-gays approached the literature table to find out more information.

The downtown Chicago event was organized by the Chicago chapter of Join the Impact, a national group formed out of the loss of marriage ballot initiatives last fall. Protest organizers included Richard Gilbert, Edgar Vargas, Megan Tucker and Corrine Mina. The group also encouraged Chicagoans to attend the Oct. 11 March on Washington as another way to push for LGBTQ civil rights.

The national event was sparked by three recent incidents of PDAs ( public displays of affection ) causing a backlash in Salt Lake City and two Texas towns--San Antonio and El Paso. "Gay and lesbian couples were harassed or detained by law enforcement or other people for the simple act of kissing in a public place," Kiss-in organizers stated. "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."