This image was part of a story about how the Obama Administration’s Department of Justice was declining to defend the section of DOMA that preventing the recognition of gay spouses and denying those spouses benefits. A move I fully support, I think a generation from now this whole period will be looked upon with the same sort of distaste as we have for the Jim Crow era, and I will be proud of my support for equality.

What struck me interesting though was my reaction to the photograph, and instantaneous and un-contemplated reaction. No, it wasn’t that strange erotic thrill that so many men get from watching or conjuring up the thought of two women having sex. The first and foremost emotion I felt was one of sincere and profound happiness.

I have been a sailor in the United States Navy, having toured once the Western Pacific (WestPac) in a several month cruise. It is a hard and at times very lonely task. To come home to such warmth and such love is truly a blessing and it moved me to see this image, which captures the ideal so perfectly. I have no idea who the sailor is in the image, but I am terribly pleased that a person sacrificing for my safety and my rights has such love waiting here at home.

All this flashed through my mind and on a deeper than conscious level before it even registered with me that this were two women kissing. That element was trivial, not worthy of notice or consideration. What mattered here was the love.

In the end that is all that matters.

(Updated to include the link)