Pucker up

Pucker up.

No, it's not Saturday night and it's not last call at the bar. These kisses are for the greater good.

"Holiday Hugs and Kisses in Arlington" is an event being sponsored by the Arlington Gay and Lesbian Alliance (AGLA), set to take place on December 4 in Arlington, Virginia. It is being held to affirm the community and the region's support for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights and equality. There will be art and cultural performances and then a big old row of smooches. The idea is to show healthy expressions of love and affection.

“We expect 300-500 people to attend, including many straight allies,” says the event’s Facebook invitation. “A YouTube video will be produced from live footage recorded at the event… Our video will be premiered at the Artisphere Dome Theatre on December 20 along with an opening reception and will then be posted on YouTube.”

But why pull out your lip gloss? Well, according to the AGLA website, this is why:

Many LGBT people have faced or continue to experience prejudice because of their sexual orientation. LGBT Americans continue to face inequality in daily life, such as the inability to serve openly in the U.S. military, the lack of workplace protections, the inability to be legally married in most states, and the lack of access to federal and state tax benefits that accrue to married persons.  LGBT youth, those perceived to be LGBT, and often any child who is “different” in some way, continue to be harassed and bullied in and out of school.  In recent months, this has led to several widely publicized suicides among LGBT youth and a heightened awareness that young people need support, protection and positive LGBT role models in their lives.

How can one argue with that?

Photo credit: bobster855

Brandon Miller is a freelance writer and editor from Toronto, Ontario.