Same-sex Navy couple faces backlash for re-creating iconic WWII kiss: 'We're just showing our love f

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

A military couple reenacted the classic WW II kiss between a sailor and a nurse after a seven-month deployment.

On Dec. 21, sailor Bryan Woodington, 33, stepped off the USS The Sullivans at Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Fla., eager to greet Kenneth, his husband of one year. According to News 4 Jax, Bryan was one of 300 sailors returning to their families after seven months in the Persian Gulf and Europe.

“When I saw Bryan, I lost all control and ran over to him,” Kenneth, 30, a special education teacher, tells Yahoo Lifestyle.

The couple won a lottery to perform the ceremonial first kiss, a naval tradition that allows one lucky sailor to disembark first and greet his or her loved one (in 2011, two female sailors were reportedly the first same-sex couple to win).



“Bryan suggested that I wear all-white because he wanted to redo that famous photo, but he didn’t know we won the lottery until the day he came home,” Kenneth tells Yahoo Lifestyle. “I had never seen the photo myself.”

The dip was impressive, but Kenneth says it’s Bryan’s favorite pose especially when the two dance at home to Lana Del Rey. “I do yoga so it doesn’t hurt my back,” jokes Kenneth.

After local television channel News 4 Jax interviewed the couple, the station reported it was “bombarded” by enraged viewers who wrote, “How sad that your station has dropped to such a low as to show a gay couple kissing on your newscast,” “I’ll never watch your news again!!!! So long, News4Jax” and, “I thought this was a ‘family friendly’ news channel.”

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/same-sex-navy-couple-faces-backlash-for-re-creating-iconic-wwii-kiss-were-just-showing-our-love-for-each-other/ar-BBRxOaY?li=BBnb7Kz

[Gothmog]

1. Why is this even an issue?

Do the people complaining know that it is 2018?

[bitterross]

18. Because we live in Trump's 'Mericua

This sort of thing was well on its way to being "ho-hum, isn't that cute" until Trump decided to dance on every racist, bigoted, LGBTQ-phobic, xenophobic nerve of people to get elected.

[targetpractice]

2. Screw everybody... That's hot...

Two people in love, captured in a photo... Beautiful.

[AwakeAtLast]

19. My reaction, too!

[JI7]

3. are people upset this one was consensual ?

[WhiskeyGrinder]

14. Ha! My first thought too!

[Pacifist Patriot]

16. My very first thought!

[targetpractice]

4. "This makes me sick to my stomach. White shoes after Labor Day?"

This is my favorite comment in the article.

[Cha]

13. lol!

[Pacifist Patriot]

17. Worst thing about the kiss. Hands down!

And I don't give a shit what color people wear on their feet anywhere any time. 😂

[johnp3907]

5. The new photo is nice.

The old one is gross. The woman didn’t know the guy, he just grabbed her and forced that kiss on her. And what the hell is he doing with his left arm???

[GulfCoast66]

6. I'm as straight as they come...

But the man in white is buff!

I hope it does not harm their career. But these days I would not bet on it. Good to see the spokesperson made it no big deal

[targetpractice]

7. The guy in white is not a sailor... Just wearing white...

He's a special ed teacher.

Thanks for being an ally and appreciating a beautiful moment for what it is, GulfCoast66!

[GulfCoast66]

9. Yeah, I read the article and edited my post.

I work for the most gay friendly company in Florida and until working here had had little exposure to gay folks, what coming from the rural south and all. But we were the first company to recognize same sex civil unions way back in the 90s.

Did not take long for me to realize love is love and make me change my attitude. And this was over 25 years ago.

I love that photo and the verbal support the navy gave them.

Have a nice evening. Rare now to see such uplifting stories.

[targetpractice]

10. Nice to have folks like you supporting us!! n/t

[Flaleftist]

8. Oh my, did that photo trigger a bunch of bigots?

😂

[UpInArms]

11. What a lovely couple

Am so glad they are together again

[dsc]

12. and depending upon the school district

the teacher could be fired for participating in that kiss.

[GulfCoast66]

15. Jeez. Hadn't thought of that.

I assume he teaches in Duval County which is pretty red. He might be OK if a little south in St Johns county. Red, but with money red.

Frightening.

[Behind the Aegis]

22. Yup.

Too many don't realize there are states where it is perfectly legal to fire someone because of his/her sexual orientation. So, a picture like that one, getting married, getting photographed at a GLBT pride event are all legal grounds for dismissal in at least 13 states.

[Solly Mack]

20. Screw the haters. That's a great shot.

[Aristus]

21. Fuck the haters. They can go to Hell.

They're okay with a man sexually assaulting a woman, but not with a loving couple showing their affection?

Shows how screwed up they are...