Saturday, April 3, 2010

homophobia in my hometown

I used to drink my coffee and write at a coffee shop about six blocks away from my house. I won't be going back. Nor will I eat in the attached restaurant, or drink the excellent microbrewed ale that they sell.

Here's why.

Now, I know that there are differing opinions on the subject. The cafe owner said that she would have ejected any couple for kissing at such length. It's a family restaurant, in case you didn't know, even though the incident took place long after any children would have been asleep....

Here's the thing: if an opposite-sex couple had been kissing each other goodbye, I doubt that anyone would have noticed.

And here's the other thing: I want my daughter to see affection. Between men and women. Between women and women. Between men and men. Because I want her to know that kissing as an expression of love is normal and healthy.

Your thoughts?

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

If it was truly just a couple of kisses then yeah, that owner is being a bit homophobic about it. I mean, come on, you guys have marriage equality, get over it. The kiss-in sounds like a great retort.

I do my own private boycotts of establishments that are not gay friendly. I hope you have another coffee nearby to visit.

Earth Muffin said...

I totally agree with you. We would boycott an intolerant place like that too. Geez...

Making Space said...

I'm guessing they weren't necking, just pecking.

Also, I've been in lots of public places where male/female couples looked like they were about one flip of the zipper way from getting it on, and I've never seen them thrown out of anywhere for doing it.

Yeah, stay away. Except for the kiss-in. Definitely go for that. Haha

* said...

I would also boycott a homophobic place like that as well.

I mean, really, what is alittle peck anyway? Geez...

Laura Lee said...

sounds like a place for Jude and the Wife to bust in and let the management deal with MARRIED PEOPLE; bring in Dawg, to kick some ass, and have Rocket film it all.

Anna said...

According to the two women involved, it was a quick kiss goodbye. Not a make-out session. But even if it had been, I doubt that the owner would have paid attention to the length of the kiss if it had been an opposite-sex couple. It kind of creeps me out that she was watching them...long enough to determine what they were doing.

Laura - for all the owner knew, they could have been a married couple. It is quite legal here - but obviously not accepted by everyone.

Anonymous said...

I agree with you & everyone else and the owner wouldn't get any more money from me either.

A bunch of years ago, PFLAG used to leave cards on tables that said something like you've just made money off of the parent of a glb person. I also used to have a stamp that said Lesbian Money and I stamped all my money with that ... but it got lost (or maybe I gave it away) in one of my moves? That can be fun, too.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, if it was a quick kiss, the owner went too far. And to bring in grief councelors, are you kidding me?! Talk about taking it over and above. There is nothing wrong with my son seeing someone kiss someone else.

Anna said...

I think the bit about grief counselors may have been sarcasm on the part of the author of that particular piece, in response to the owner's comment that "This is a family restaurant." Her view of family is very narrow...if she thinks that children should be shielded from the reality of same-sex kissing.

Laura Lee said...

Yeah, I guess you're right... I knew it was legal but...
Acceptance. Something nobody should have to wish for.