Public Displays of Affection are a touchy subject for a single person to defend. Many single people see couples practicing PDAs as a flaunting act. Many see it as a needless showing of affection that is not appropriate for public areas.
That's a very American-centric statement.
Having been in Mexico City studying sexual and gender diversity there, I learned that PDAs within a house is taboo for teenagers, who don't want their family to know that they are engagng in such intimacy. "Private space" is a foreign concept for many Mexican families, according to many people I spoke to there. Urban teenagers there, and indeed society it seems, have adapted by adopting the public urban sphere as a proper venue for (at least heteronormative) PDAS. Public Displays of Affection have taken a different developmental path elsewhere.
Many traditionalists in other parts of the world see PDAs is a sign of the unravelling of societal morality. You may think I exagerrate, but let me remind you of one recent incident of PDA that caused death threats:
[Richard Gere] was burned in effigy throughout the country... after taking Bollywood beauty Shilpa Shetty in his arms and showering her with kisses during an AIDS event, a big no-no in a land where modesty reigns supreme.
But once images and video of the embrace began to circulate, Hindu traditionalists were outraged. Indian custom typically frowns upon men showing public affection toward women to protect them from the supposedly pernicious influence of western culture.
Within hours, groups of men took to the streets in several major cities and began torching effigies of the Unfaithful star—not exactly the kind of reception one would expect for Gere, a dedicated Buddhist who's usually adept at respecting local cultural norms. Other activists lit fire to posters of Shetty, shouted "Death to Shilpa Shetty" and danced around the ashes.
Public Displays of Affection are a very political act, even if many who engage in such acts do not intend on it being. In a country such as America, where a strain of puritanism still exists to this day in our national discourse, PDAs are a defiant gesture at the traditional sexual repressionist attitudes prevalent here.
PDAs play a very important role in breaking down anti-sex attitudes. Especially in the movie industry, we see PDAs that are exposed to masses. In "Dude, Where's My Car?" we see a same-sex kiss that garnered much attention:
‘‘Fabio looks over contemptuously and revs his engine; Kutcher, behind the wheel, does the same. Fabio responds by putting his arm around his vixen; Kutcher rises to the challenge by placing his arm emphatically around Scott. Fabio then leans over and gives his girl a long, deep tongue kiss.’’ What
happens next, in LaBruce’s exuberant judgment, is nothing short of revolutionary:
The movie could have gone in infinite directions at this point, but amazingly
Kutcher leans over and, gently and convincingly, delivers the lingering tongue to Scott. The actors neither overplay nor underplay the moment and show no visible trace of disgust or regret afterward. I was almost in tears. This one scene does more to advance the cause of homosexuality than 25 years of gay activism." ("What Lips These Lips Have Kissed": Refiguring the Politics of Queer Public Kissing Source: Communication and critical/cultural studies [1479-1420] Morris yr:2006 vol:3 iss:1 )
LaBruce may have overstated the importance of the kiss, but he makes a point that same-sex PDAs, and indeed all PDAs, are generally viewed by Generation Y as a passe act. This is in direct contrast to previous generations, who have also pushed the boundaries in their own right, but who faced a greater stigma attached to the act of public affection.
PDAs are very affirming acts. My growth as a confidant gay man mirrors my growing comfortableness with PDAs. I went from my first nervous kiss in Central Park years ago to a random make out session at a party filled with my peers not too long ago.
It's important to note who we see PDAs by and who we don't see it by. Same-sex PDAs may have different locations: people may feel more comfortable in certain neighborhoods, with certain groups of people, at certain events like pride. The expansion of areas where same-sex PDAs are acceptable generally is a direct correlation with the expansion of LGBT Rights.
I still feel as if my options are limited however in where I am allowed to show such PDAs, or where I feel it would be safe to show such PDAs. For instance, a kiss between a kindergardner teacher and his wife in front of students may be less loaded than a elementary school teacher's kiss with his boyfriend in the same setting.
How can such disparities be overcome? Political activism can only go so far. You cannot legislate social norms, nor acceptance. The only way to open up more spaces for same-sex PDAs seems to be... to have same-sex PDAs occur more regular in these areas.
Which is why unabashed and guiltless PDAs play such a vital role in creating sex-positive spaces. Single people hear me out, though it may seem like flaunting and needless, PDAs help liberalize society for the betterment of all. Better yet, let's not limit PDAs to couples. Kiss that friend you've had a crush on randomly in public! Have a close friend? Hold hands with them outside, whatever gender they are! So.. Pucker Up! Complement your political activism with a good dose of social activisty PDAs (breathmints encouraged)!