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Kissing in public is apparently still criminal. Falling on the heels of a of two men being forced to leave an El Paso fast food chain called Chico’s Tacos after sharing a kiss, a gay couple was detained by security guards for kissing in front of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City, according to the Salt Lake City Tribune.
The couple, Matt Aune, 28, and his partner, Derek Jones, 25, were walking past the church holding hands when they stopped and shared a brief kiss on the cheek. Several security guards approached the couple, asking them to leave, saying that public displays of affection are not allowed on the church property. When Aune and Jones protested, the guards put Jones on the ground and handcuffed him. Aune was also cuffed, resulting in a bruised wrist. Security guards then called the police and Jones and Aune were arrested for trespassing. The Salt Lake Police Department on Friday denied requests for a full police report on the incident, citing Utah laws that allow them five business days to respond to requests for records.
The church resides on a popular pedestrian thoroughfare where couples often pose affectionately for photos. In a written statement, church spokeswoman Kim Farah denied the two were singled out for being gay.
Time for a big gay kiss-in!
