Bristol Post: A Kiss Too Far

Did I Go Too Far With Gay Kiss On The Front Page?

It was an historic day for Bristol. The city’s first same-sex marriage. We thought it was front-page news. And we illustrated the event with the picture that defines any marriage – the happy couple’s first kiss.

But this was a gay marriage. Which meant the picture was of two men kissing - Mike McBeth and Matthew Symonds, joyfully tying the knot after 20 years together.

I’m a Bristolian, brought up in South Bristol. Real Bristol. One of the things I love about my home town is how characterful, tolerant and non-conformist its people are. So I thought Bristol was ready for that picture.

But, boy, was I wrong. We lost thousands of sales of the paper. Which surprised me. Because, on the day, we received just nine phone calls of complaint.

I’ve asked a lot of people about that picture, friends and relatives from all walks of life and all parts of the city. Absolutely no one I’ve spoken to admits to finding it offensive.

But, clearly, what people say and what people do are different. Of course, I knew that. But I didn’t think it would apply in this case.

So – at the risk of attracting every troll in the vicinity – I’ve decided to ask the internet. I want to hear from the people who didn’t buy the paper because of that picture. Tell me why. I ask only that you are reasoned and honest. But I want to start a dialogue and genuinely understand why the picture put you off.

Bristol Post editor Mike Norton asks the readers.