Praise: Sailors Embrace

This is already all over the web, but it really is nice to see how widespread a picture of love can be.  The picture by Brian Clark of the Virginian Pilot is wonderful.

Marissa Gaeta (left) and Citlalic Snell enjoy the first kiss ashore.

Wonderful enough that the Washington Post picked up the story of how Petty Officer 2nd class Marissa Gaeta won the raffle on the Oak Hill, the ship on which Ms. Gaeta serves, for the first to go ashore and kiss her sweetie upon docking.  Her sweetie is Petty Officer 3rd class Citlalic Snell, making this the first same-sex first kiss in Navy history.

Part of what is so wonderful about this is that it was treated as normal by the Navy and by the ship.  The Washington Post spoke with the C.O. of the Oak Hill.

David Bauer, the commanding officer of the USS Oak Hill, said that Gaeta and Snell’s kiss would largely be a non-event and the crew’s reaction upon learning who was selected to have the first kiss was positive.

“It’s going to happen and the crew’s going to enjoy it. We’re going to move on and it won’t overshadow the great things that this crew has accomplished over the past three months,” Bauer said.

The title of the Stars and Stripes article has the same perspective.  "Female Sailors Dockside Smooch Sails Past Navy Tradition"

A big deal for Petty Officers Gaeta and Snell as it should be.  Since P.O. Gaeta's fellow sailors had three months in close proximity with her since their tour to Central America started, they already know well who she is.  Once we are talking about individuals who we know, gays and lesbians are as human as straights (each with flaws and each with positive attributes).  I'm delighted for them, that they were cheered, and that this is likely not a seminal moment in their lives.

28 December 2011, FollowUp 1.

28 February 2012, FollowUp 2.

5 March 2012, FollowUp 3.