Kissing DADT Away

“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” really is a thing of the past. And the proof is in a same-sex kiss shared by two female Naval officers that has been making the rounds online. They’ve become the first openly lesbian couple to share a smooch so publicly after one of them returned to Virginia Beach from being at sea for almost three months.

Petty Officer Second Class Marissa Gaeta of Placerville, Calif., disembarked from the USS Oak Hill to meet up with her partner Petty Officer Third Class Citlalic Snell of Los Angeles. Gaeta was still wearing her dress blues when they were captured sharing the kiss as crowds of well wishers waiting for their loved ones applauded and waved American flags around them.

“It’s nice to be able to be myself,” Gaeta told the news. “It’s been a long time coming.”

The local news talked to the women – who said that among fellow military personnel who have had to hide their homosexuality, the moment was significant. It reminds us of the famous old photo of the kiss in Time Square after World War II – with a twist.

“We can show it and be public about it,” added Citlalic. “We don’t have to hide it.”

Check it out: