In the beginning there was the media and nary a same-sex kisser in sight
(all photos: Mike Tidmus, fair use encouraged)
It’s unclear whether signals somehow got crossed, or if it was the hour, or if people got stuck in rush-hour traffic, or if the fire on I-5 held arrivals up, but, at 5:00 pm, there was plenty of media — camera crews, photographers, reporters with notepads, and a few scruffy types (probably bloggers) hanging around, but not much in the way of gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender kissers for the Love Unites Kiss-In at the San Diego Mormon Temple. The kiss-in was organized by Empowering Spirits to encourage constructive dialogue with the Mormons and as a demonstration of solidarity with Matt Aune and Derek Jones, the gay couple who were detained by church security a couple of weeks ago for kissing on the grounds of the Mormon Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Heads were scratched, iPhones and Blackberries checked, confused glances exchanged, and a few phone calls made before the gays made their stylishly-late entrance. In all, about thirty GLBT folk and even a few straight allies showed up to take a stand for equality and justice. There was something particularly sweet about watching gay and lesbian couples express their affection in this context. It was slightly comical to watch the media pros scooch around to get just the right shot. There was nothing lewd or lascivious going on here. There was no confrontation, no security, and no police presence. It was light-hearted. It was fun. There was a lot of laughter and love.
UPDATE (23 July 6:03 am): Rex Wockner has more about the San Diego Mormon Temple kiss-in. Following said kiss-in, Rex and I headed over to check out La Jolla’s endangered seals. This isn’t per se an environmental issue (plenty of those along our coast though!); these animals could become the next victims of what boils down to mankind’s judicial/political stoopidity and arrogance. Save the seals!
Finally some action!
Some of the pros started to really get into it
Quick everybody! Two more going at it over here
Straight but not narrow, sweet and supportive
Now we’re talkin’
Lining up for a group shot with the temple in the background
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