First-ever same-sex kiss at U.S. Navy ship’s return

I didn’t really feel like smiling. Then I came across this story:

A Navy tradition caught up with the repeal of the U.S. military's "don't ask, don't tell" rule on Wednesday when two women sailors became the first to share the coveted "first kiss" on the dock after one of them returned from 80 days at sea.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Marissa Gaeta of Placerville, Calif., descended from the USS Oak Hill amphibious landing ship and shared a quick kiss with her partner, Petty Officer 3rd Class Citlalic Snell of Los Angeles. The crowd screamed and waved flags around them.

Now I can’t stop.

Long may the barriers continue to fall like the decrepit leftovers of institutionalized bigotry that they are.

(via @BadAstronomer)

Tags: Marissa Gaeta • Citlalic Snell • US Navy