The Mormon church's vigorous support for Proposition 8, which banned gay marriage in California last year, has turned the Utah-based faith into a lightning rod for gay rights activism, including a nationwide â┚¬Å”kiss-inâ┚¬Â last Saturday.
The event comes after gay couples in Salt Lake City, San Antonio and El Paso were arrested, cited for trespassing or harassed by police for publicly kissing. In Utah, the July 9 trespassing incident occurred after a couple was observed by security guards on a downtown park-like plaza owned by the 13 million-member Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The court case was dismissed, but the kiss sparked a community backlash and criticism of the church.
Twenty-two people gathered under the scorching sun on Washington's National Mall to participate in the national smooch. About 50 people gathered in downtown Atlanta and kissed for about five minutes.
