A Valentine's Day Kiss-in against homophobia

The title pretty much says it all as once again the group Kiss-in contre l'homophobie readies itself for action - this time on Valentine's Day.

February 14 is the date set for the next Kiss-in, an event which since it was first held in Paris less than a year ago, has gone nationwide and even international.

The French capital isn't the only place where couples, gay or straight, will be able pucker up or, if they're feeling a slightly more reserved, hug each other or hold hands.

As with the last time the event was held back in December, there are similar Kiss-ins planned in towns and cities around the country - 14 in total, and counting according to the group Kiss-in contre l'homophobie on its Facebook page. - as well abroad in Belgium, Peru and Australia.

All are scheduled to take place on Valentine's Day.

And as if to strengthen the international flavour of the event there'll once again be similar Kiss-ins abroad in Switzerland (February 13) Belgium, Peru, Australia (February 14) and for the first time Mexico (February 28).

The idea seems to be gaining support from the somewhat humble beginnings back in June 2009 when just a dozen or so couples decided to kiss in public at an agreed time at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.

The concept is not to shock or provoke, nor is it meant to be a demonstration of gay pride, as Arthur Vauthier, one of those behind the idea, has always been at pains to stress.

"The starting point for the whole idea was the simple observation that there's often hesitancy among same-sex couples to show their fondness for one another in public," he said in an interview with the monthly French gay magazine, Têtu.

"Our idea is to trivialise the gesture by saying, 'kiss wherever you want to because it doesn't interfere with others and it also doesn't embarrass us'."

Social media sites have of course more than helped "spread the word", and as well as the main Facebook group with more than 4,000 members there are also a number of regional ones which tell those that are interested what's happening, when and where.

And, as if to prove that in these days in which the Net is all so important in getting the message across, there's the all-essential blog with info available in several languages: French, English, German and Spanish.



So, make a note in your diaries and if you're interested, drop along to the nearest Kiss-in or organise your own, and as they say here in France, "Bises" for Valentine's Day