Erwin and Kevin, sitting in a tree... K-I-S-S-I-N-G!!

Source: Acceptance Pages | August 14, 2012

Dutch photgrapher Erwin Olaf is international renowned for his extraordinary photographs. At Acceptancepages, we consider each of them a piece of art with a capital 'A'. But Olaf is also not reluctant to use his work for commercial purposes: a great example are his portraits of the Dutch national soccer players for the European Championship 2012.

A somewhat smaller audience knows Olaf for his theme parties, of which the Black Teaparty probably is the most remarkable. These parties are not only about fun and having a great time, but also generate attention for social diversity issues and difficulties.

One can only wonder if the cafeteria-owner at the Hugo de Groot square in Amsterdam had any idea whom he was yelling at last Saturday (August 10), when he summoned Olaf and his partner Kevin to stop kissing immediately. What were they thinking, two men, kissing … gross!

Well, ain’t that a flag on the emancipation of all people in our beloved open-minded and tolerant Netherlands. It’s hardly a week ago when we celebrated  the freedom to be whoever you are at the infamous Canal Parade of the Amsterdam Gay Pride; homosexuals, heterosexuals and all people in between, hand in hand, all together. And a week later this emancipation appears to be nothing else but a popping bubble.

Fortunately, Erwin Olaf knows how to give an incident such as this a creative twist. The following post on his facebook-page caused a storm of positive reactions:

“If I can gather 50 couples, I am organizing a ‘Kiss-Inn’, this Wednesday (August 15, 2012), on the Hugo de Groot Square in Amsterdam”. posts Olaf with conviction on his Facebook Page. “Whether they are gay, straight, bi-sexual or transgender, the only condition is that the couples have to be in love with each other”

And so it happended that before the day was done, Olaf had 50 couples and his intended ‘Kiss-in’ is a fact.

Also the Acceptancepages calles upon it’s followers in the Netherlands to gather on the Hugo de Groot Square in Amsterdam on Wednesday August 15, at 20:30. Even if you are not much of a public kisser, or don’t have a partner, your presence will certainly add up to the power of getting the message for equality across. Not only to the cafeteria owner at the Hugo de Groot Square, but to the ‘tolerant’ Netherlands in general.

You deserve to be included!

Note by editor, August 14, 2012:
It has been announced that the mentioned cafeteria-owner will shake hands with Erwin Olaf on Wednesday the 15th at 20:30. Afterwards there will be a short 'group-kissing-and-hugging’ session. All people are welcome to show their affection to the world and prove that the Netherlands are a huggable country.

Photo-cc: Sebastiaan ter Burg