Protest follows incident in which gay couple were confronted by guard because they kissed
SALT LAKE CITY — About 100 people gathered near the Mormon church’s downtown temple to stage a "kiss-in" protesting the treatment of two gay men who were detained by security guards on a plaza owned by the church and later cited by police for trespassing.
Matt Aune said he and his partner, Derek Jones, were confronted by guards after they hugged and kissed on the plaza.
Former Salt Lake City Councilwoman Deeda Seed helped organize the kiss-in on Sunday, July 12, which occurred on public property.
The Salt Lake Tribune reported on its Web site that heterosexual and gay couples exchanged small kisses and pecks at the plaza’s south entrance, which faces downtown. Church security was present, but the Deseret News of Salt Lake City reported on its Web site that no altercations occurred.