‘Kiss-in’ staged in protest of gay-marriage ban
Yesterday's “Kiss-in for Equality” downtown drew dozens of gay-rights supporters.
- San Diego Union-Tribune
DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO — Gay and lesbian couples protesting the passage of Proposition 8 publicly showed their affection yesterday as they smooched in front of the Manchester Grand Hyatt.
About 60 gay-rights supporters attended the “Kiss-in for Equality” to demand the right to legally marry in California. Similar kiss-ins were staged yesterday in more than 50 other cities throughout the nation.
The demonstrations were in response to recent incidents involving gay couples who were detained for kissing in public in San Antonio and El Paso, Texas, and in Salt Lake City.
In San Diego, same-sex couples of various ages gave speeches. The protest ended with kisses and chants in the hotel lobby.
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Members of the gay community have led a boycott against the hotel for the past year because owner Doug Manchester donated $125,000 to support Proposition 8, the November state ballot initiative that outlawed same-sex marriage.
Kelly Commerford, a hotel spokesman, said the demonstration was unwarranted, especially since Manchester has offered to donate $25,000 in cash and $100,000 in hotel credit to local gay and lesbian organizations so they can use the Grand Hyatt for events such as fundraisers.
