Nationwide 'kiss-in' planned for Saturday

Salt Lake City has already seen two "kiss-in" protests. But this weekend, a protest sparked by the detention and arrest of a gay couple who kissed on the LDS Church-owned Main Street Plaza will go national.

"The Great Nationwide Kiss-In" is planned in major cities across the country Saturday, including a third kiss-in for Salt Lake City.

This time, however, protesters won't be focused on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

"The kiss-in is not an attack on the Mormon Church but a show of solidarity with (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) couples and a celebration of simple displays of affection," said activist and event organizer Ash Johnsdottir.

The event will be held in the amphitheater of the Main Library at 11:30 a.m.

Activists Troy Williams and Charles Lynn Frost and Salt Lake City Council hopeful Jennifer J. Johnson will speak during the rally.

"This event is for everyone to show solidarity with the LGBT community and to celebrate with fun, joyous and chaste acts of public affection that expresses the love that bonds us together as a community," Johnsdottir said. "Simple, beautiful and innocent kisses are a human right, regardless of the gender of the kissers."

Salt Lake City prosecutor Sim Gill announced last month he would not pursue charges against the couple detained by LDS Church security guards and cited by Salt Lake City police on July 7.

— Aaron Falk