Photo of gay Marine’s homecoming kiss goes viral

WASHINGTON – An image posted on a Facebook page dedicated to gay servicemembers may become a generation’s version of an iconic war memory.

The photograph of a male Marine passionately embracing another man after returning from deployment has garnered more than 36,000 “Likes” on the Gay Marines Facebook page, as well as 8,300 comments and almost 6,000 “Shares.”

The photo is reminiscent to some of “V-J Day in Times Square,” the iconic photograph published in Life magazine in 1945 of a sailor locking lips with a young nurse in a white dress.

It has also sparked plenty of back-and-forth debate on the Gay Marines page.

“I thank you for your service…Nothing else should matter. I say good for you,” wrote Susan on the page.

“This is so beautiful! Thanks for keeping us safe. Peace and love to you both!!!” said Erika.

“This is so wrong on every level!!!” wrote Darin.

“Not to have anything to do with them being gay, but when my husband got back, I did not jump on him,” Lashonna responded.

This new picture comes on the heels of the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy last fall, which led to this historic kiss from two Navy service members.

Follow WTOP on Twitter.

(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up