Crowd turns out for Nationwide Kiss-In

More than 100 gay people, their family members and civil rights activists gathered at Library Square on Saturday to kiss and tell the public that everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, has the right to acknowledge their loved ones with the little token of affection.

"I would just like people to think a little more about who they love and why instead of who they hate and why," Charles Frost, a father and grandfather said after speaking to those gathered at the amphitheater as part of the Great Nationwide Kiss-In held this weekend in 50 cities nationwide and in Canada.

The en masse public display of affection was staged to replicate actual incidents in recent weeks in which gay couples in three cities, including Salt Lake City, were detained or arrested by security guards for what the couples say was kissing in public.

There is nothing illegal or inappropriate about a smooch in public, speaker and Salt Lake City Council candidate Jennifer Johnson told the group, noting that to limit such displays of affection "puts limit on the single most divine quality humans possess — the capacity to love."

It's a little thing to do, but it's a huge thing to prohibit, Frost said as his partner, Douglas Lott, watched the couple's 5-year-old granddaughter, Deme Frost, go for a wade in a nearby fountain. "That's why I'm here, and I am hoping maybe we might encourage a few people to look at what happened and maybe take a step away from fearing and judging others."

Saturday's demonstration was the third local kiss-in since two men were detained by LDS Church security on the church's downtown plaza. Church officials have said that the behavior was lewd and much more involved than a "simple kiss of the cheek."

The city prosecutor decided not to pursue charges in court, noting that the two men and the public in general regard the private property as open to the public.

Even speakers and several of those attending the rally said the event is a response to a minor incident but marks a kind of meridian in a long fight for equal rights.

"The tide is rising and attitudes are shifting," said Karl Elbel. "It's going to take a long time, a generation or two who choose not to hate or choose not to see differences in people or reason for them to be loved less. It will be a while, but it's happening."