Two men sharing public displays of affection in Vicksburg, Mississippi: reactions.

[telemann.livejournal.com]

Actor George Takei posted this today on Facebook.

I've spoken often about the "ick" factor — the visceral reaction many have to the sight of something unfamiliar, like two men kissing. When I was growing up, the reaction toward interracial couples was similar, and that disgust over white/non-white intimacy was used to justify laws against interracial marriage.

Many use their irrational discomfort over gay intimacy to justify discrimination. This video, shot in a restaurant in Mississippi, illustrates that all too clearly, underscoring deep social and religious divides over this question. But there is cause, too, for hope — especially among young people. The ick is fading away, as it inevitably will. So watch and ask yourself, "Do I have a bit of the 'ick' in me?"

The reactions are pretty much what you'd expect, but there is a surprising reaction supporting the gay couple, especially when they're asked to leave, due to offending the religious sensibilities of patrons. Worth watching the entire clip. I was pretty emotional by the end.

Comments

[enders-shadow.livejournal.com]

I guess I'm one of those young people, and the ick factor is not present in me.
Then again, I spent part of my HS Prom yelling at a crazy Jesus lady on the subway who was preaching (to no-one in particular, on a 4-train) that homosexuals should be put to death.

I'da been that college student. Props to him.

Religious dogma is really dangerous--after all, those people who say "its in the bible" and all that shit, need to remember that a cheeseburger is also a sin. I don't see them getting all huffy when someone orders a cheeseburger, while wearing a multi-fabric shirt, while shaving the corners of his beard, while lusting in his heart. (ok, the shaving bit makes it a little weird....point remains!)

[lafinjack.livejournal.com]

...and the ick factor is not present in me.

I'm in the 'PDAs are gross' camp (for any couple) but then I'm a pretty physically private person. Maybe not private, but... reserved? I dunno.

Intellectually, I don't care. I just look away when anybody is kissing or whatever. I would never react, much less say anything. It's their moment, not mine.


I spent part of my HS Prom yelling at a crazy Jesus lady on the subway...

Yep. I used to be a medical sample courier, and one of my stops was a doctor's office in Chicago's big gay neighborhood. They were closed, I was coming out of the locked foyer where the samples are left, and a lady walking by made some stupid comment about the neighborhood going downhill. It degenerated quickly. :)