Last Friday, Memphis Gaydar put out a call for someone to organize a local kiss-in in conjunction with the Great Nationwide Kiss-In. At that time, no locals had stepped up to take part in the multi-city demonstration.
Since then, Jo Williams of the Mid-South Peace & Justice Center has organized a Memphis Kiss-In to be held at Poplar and Highland on Saturday, August 15th from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
Gay and straight folks are encouraged to come out and participate in the synchronized smooch, which will take place at similar demonstrations all across the country.
Why make out in public? In July, a gay couple was detained by security and then cited for trespassing after they kissed on the plaza at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In June, two gay men were ejected from Chico’s Mexican Restaurant in El Paso, Texas after a security guard saw them kissing at their table. Those incidents inspired bloggers David Badash and David Mailloux to organize the national kiss-in protest.
Williams says the event is even open to single folks: “You can kiss your hand or hold a sign.” She says ideas for signs include “Kissing Is Not a Crime” and “Kiss For Peace.”
