Leonard Pitts Jr: Gay Marine kiss portrays a new normal in U.S.

[mfcorey1]

snip

Their fear is that pretty soon, no one will fear, that we are approaching a day when a kiss like this will make no news, merit no attention, because it will be normal. They are right, of course. That is entirely the point.

There is something bracing in the very publicness and unselfconsciousness of that lip-lock. Coming after years of government imposed silence and government-mandated lies of omission, it feels not unlike sunlight and fresh air blasting into a room that has been dark and stuffy for years. And it suggests four words of advice to those discomfited by this newborn change:

Get used to it.

http://www.freep.com/article/20120306/OPINION05/203060318/Leonard-Pitts-Jr-Gay-Marine-kiss-portrays-a-new-normal-in-U-S-?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s

[tapermaker]

1. funny you should bring it up

I am a 53yr old man who has always been a democrat .My party choice was made because of my fathers union ties made him a democrat. I grew up hearing about the depression and how the democrats had saved us . My earlest memories are of my mother sitting in the middle of the living room on one of those circle rugs bawling as she watched the news of president Kenny`s assasination.She kept on telling me to watch the tv because this was history . a Democrat is what i have been my entire life.
I have stated before that in my mind i defend a policy of civil rights for all people (including Gays )Yet when i saw the photo the other day i was forced to see what that meant. I am sorry to say i was taken aback by this display. I dont know why except maybe it`s because Theory and practice tend to be two different animals .I honestly think the principle is sound but wish the young man had removed the uniform before making that jump.As an ex marine myself I cant help feeling that this shouldnt be the norm when wearing our country`s uniform. When wearing the uniform i find it inappropriate. Sorry to offend others here , but this is how i feel .

[MNBrewer]

2. So all the other pictures of uniformed service members kissing their loved ones upon return

from being abroad are ok... but not if it's M/M or F/F?

[tapermaker]

6. not how i would put it .

My problem with it may stem from longstanding social norms . But the biggest issue for me is conduct while in uniform . I just think a uniformed marine should not be jumping into someones arms with his or her legs wrapped around the guy.I would feel the same way if a female in uniform jumped on her husband the same way. Excessive displays of affection in public Just make me uncomfortable . An imbrace in public after a long tour is to be expected , but save the amore for later when your alone together.

[MNBrewer]

9. You make it sound as though it WERE excessive

[lacrew]

3. I think it may be the PDA that made you do a double take.

I'm younger than you (40ish); but, I do not remember that type of PDA, when we came back from a long deployment. Mostly hugs, and the kids would mob you. But the last thing anybody wanted to do was get too lovey dovey in front of our peers.

It may be that this type of display is now common during homecomings...I don't know.

[xchrom]

4. Oy Nt

[closeupready]

5. Double standards much? Frankly, heteros locking lips make me turn the channel,

switch subway cars, turn my back, etc. No offense.

[Change has come]

7. Did you read the article?

It's really quite good.

[tapermaker]

8. just read it .

As noted in the piece, Reactions ran from good for them to well ,you know what.That puts me in the middle i guess so thats not such a bad place.

[Brickbat]

10. Change is hard, but I hope you keep working on it.

Thanks for your honesty, and welcome to DU.