Arts & Entertainment

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade airs historic same-sex kiss

‘The Prom’ follows a high school lesbian couple wanting to attend their school dance

Published

8 years ago

November 26, 2018

Mariah Cooper

(Screenshot via YouTube)

The 92nd annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was not only the coldest parade on record but also aired a groundbreaking LGBT moment on live television.

During the parade, the cast of the Broadway musical “The Prom” gave a performance which included a same-sex kiss between actresses Isabelle McCalla and Caitlin Kinnumen. The historic moment marks the first time a same-sex kiss has aired during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

“The Prom,” which debuted on Broadway in October, follows the story of lesbian couple Emma (Kinnumen) and her girlfriend Alyssa (McCalla) who want to attend their high school prom in a small Indiana town.

Cast member Josh Lamon noted the importance of the kiss on Twitter.

So proud. So thankful. pic.twitter.com/DGTYNsJhxB

— Josh Lamon (@JoshLamon) November 22, 2018

Other people praised the moment for its LGBT representation.

Two girls. Just kissed. On live TV. On the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. I suddenly cried. Lovely. Thanks given to @ThePromMusical. (& Macy’s/NBC.) & lesbians everywhere. & turkeys. For their sacrifice. But esp. @ThePromMusical.

— Tina Landau (@TinaLandau) November 22, 2018

.@ThePromMusical I love you! What a lesson you just taught the country on the @Macys thanksgiving parade! ❤️?????

— Caissie Levy (@CaissieLevy) November 22, 2018

The kiss wasn’t received without some controversy.

Millions of small children just watched two girls kiss and had their innocence broken this morning. @nbc and @Macys just blindsided parents who expected this to be a family program, so they could push their agenda on little kids. #macysthanksgivingdayparade #MacysDayParade pic.twitter.com/EmCLSfNmAj

— ForAmerica (@ForAmerica) November 22, 2018

Lamon opened up that he was targeted with hate messages over his support of the kiss but ultimately was proud of the show’s accomplishment.

Yesterday was remarkable. It was also difficult. I was targeted by hate groups, ambushed with awful messages and became even more proud of who I am and the incredible show I am lucky to be apart of. Be proud of who you are. Never be afraid to show all your beautiful colors. ? ❤️ https://t.co/G4qlwwGwHW

— Josh Lamon (@JoshLamon) November 23, 2018

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Published

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Michael Key and Michael K. Lavers

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(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key and Michael K. Lavers)

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Fundraiser held at ‘Normal Heart’ house

Published

1 day ago

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Guest photographer

A scene from the 'Lambda Legal in the Pines' fundraiser on July 25. (Photo by Santiago Felipe)

The LGBTQ organization Lambda Legal held its annual “Lambda Legal in the Pines” fundraiser on Saturday, July 25. The event was held at a house on Fire Island featured in Ryan Murphy’s 2014 HBO film, “The Normal Heart.”

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(Photos by Santiago Felipe)

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Spark Social will host “Open Mic Night” on Thursday, Aug. 13 at 8 p.m. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

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