WaPo Defends Gay Kiss Photo

By Julie Bolcer

WaPo Gay Couplex390 (WaPo) | Advocate.com

TheWashington Post stands by its decision to publish a front-page photo of a gay couple kissing that generated a high volume of complaints from readers.

The newspaper published the photo online and in print last week. It captures Jeremy Ames and Taka Ariga kissing outside D.C. Superior Court on the first day same-sex couples could apply for marriage licenses in the District. Weddings began yesterday.

According to Washington Post ombudsman Andrew Alexander, reader reaction to the photo was swift, ongoing, and mostly negative.

“A few of the readers have engaged in rants, often with anti-gay slurs,” wrote Alexander. “One called me to complain about ‘promoting a faggot lifestyle.’ Another complained about the photo in an e-mail to the two Post reporters who wrote Thursday’s story about the licenses: ‘That kind of stuff makes normal people want to throw up. People have kids who are being exposed to this crap. I will be glad when your rag goes out of business. Real men marry women.’ ”

Alexander stands by the newspaper’s decision to publish the photo.

“Did the Post go too far? Of course not,” he wrote. “The photo deserved to be in newspaper and on its Web site, and it warranted front-page display.”

The National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association, the watchdog group for media coverage of LGBT issues, applauded TheWashington Post for publishing the photo.

“Kudos to WaPo for publishing the photo on its front page—and defending the decision,” wrote the NLGJA board member Oriol Gutierrez on the group’s RE: ACT blog.

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Reader Comments

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Name: Nicole
Date posted: 3/12/2010 1:54:08 AM
Hometown: Earth

Comment:
Oh, boo-freaking-hoo. Two men kissing, the horror! The world is ending! Get over it. There are tonnes of pictures of heterosexual love all over the place, you don't see anyone else getting their panties in a twist over it. As for children being "exposed,: that's just silly. Children are exposed to violence and sex all over the media. God forbid they witness love that just happens to be homosexual. These people worrying about their "corrupt" children, saying these homophobic things... it sounds hateful. I'd much rather my kids be exposed to love than to hate.
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Name: Stan James
Date posted: 3/11/2010 5:43:05 PM
Hometown: Baltimore

Comment:
The complainers for the most part probably fit under two categories. First, their cross is secretly made of two dildos tied together. They are just like Minister Ted Haggard, who was outed by his gay prostitute boyfriend. Come on guys - your biz is your bis, but somethings its just better to tell on these freaks. You'll prob get more biz once they can't hide it any more
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Name: melvin
Date posted: 3/11/2010 7:18:40 AM
Hometown: South Dakota

Comment:
I sent in my support of congratulations by e-mail to the Washington Post.
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Name: Harry Matthews
Date posted: 3/11/2010 3:17:52 AM
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY

Comment:
Get used to it, people, get used to it! It's high time the nonsense about banning men from displaying affection for each other was dispelled, and all glory to the POST for doing so. The crude, indefensible, irrational, pea-brained bigotry this picture has brought forth deserves nothing but intense scorn. I've been an out gay man for 40 years and I've had enough of "Don't rush it." I'll kiss whomever I please wherever I please whenever I please, in front of any media who happen to be around, and the brown noses can just stuff it.
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Name: Tod
Date posted: 3/11/2010 2:42:23 AM
Hometown: West Hollywood

Comment:
I read the Washington Post online all the time. Because of its political thrust and proximity it seems to attract some of the harshest and most severe comments I’ve seen. I mean … really. Just mention Obama and watch them go off like they have distemper; and of course some people are paid to do just that. So, I’m really not surprised. Good for the Washington Post for standing tall. Well done. It's big news.
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Name: Michael-Bruce
Date posted: 3/11/2010 1:35:53 AM
Hometown: Morristown, NJ

Comment:
When I was about 8 or 9, the local NJ newspaper printed a full page photo of 2 women's faces close up. It was a huge, distorted photo which was apparently the editorial slant. The caption read, "2 Women Wed at Unitarian Fellowship". Perhaps gay and lesbian children will see the WaPo photo of 2010 reality and realize they're not the only people on the planet with same sex feelings. And hopefully they'll have more self-respect, pride, esteem and integrity as a result. When kids see 2 lesbians portrayed as monsters, they see monsters. When they see 2 men kissing each other after marrying in DC, they'll see 2 men in a caring, loving partnership. The world could use more love. Go WaPo!
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Name: Jon Thomas Bily
Date posted: 3/11/2010 12:19:52 AM
Hometown: Los Angeles

Comment:
WaPo: First two words, thank you. Last two words, thank you.
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Name: Kip
Date posted: 3/11/2010 12:10:47 AM
Hometown: Wyoming

Comment:
I just sent a letter to the WP congratulating them for reporting news with integrity. They need to hear from our side too, take a minute to do that. 3 dozen people dropped their subscription because of that. I say good riddance, but let's show the Post that there are people who appreciate their covering of this story. Send emails to: letters@washpost.com
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Name: Scott B
Date posted: 3/10/2010 11:41:28 PM
Hometown: Casa Grande

Comment:
What a bunch of hypocrites. This WAS a story of gay marriages. So, what do you think we would normally see in a marriage photo in the newspaper...that's right, a freakin kiss! Duh.
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Name: Michael
Date posted: 3/10/2010 9:33:54 PM
Hometown: Nebraska

Comment:
To the angry folks who "vomit" at the sight of two men kissing, worry that their "children" will be corrupt or hate the Gay community, you could only be so fortunate to have a Gay or Lesbian child. Regardless of the picture of two men kissing on the front page, it's news. It's no different than when a picture of Fred Phelps is posted with signs that read, It's good our military members die; it is God's will because the US supports Gays. It's all news and nothing more. I am very happy that so many great people in D.C. can marry, Straight and Gay; it's all good news.

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