Kevin Sessums discovers the first same-sex kiss in the movies – in 1927:
During this week when The Artist was nominated for the Best Picture Oscar, let's honor the only silent movie ever to win the award when Wings won it in 1927. It is the story of the VERY close friendship between two World War I flyboys played by Buddy Rogers and Richard Arlen. (Rogers was Mary Pickford's 3rd husband and 12 years younger than she when they married.) The relationship between the characters played by Rogers and Arlen in the film is very "Brokeback Mountain." They are even referred to as "powder puff boys" by their commanding officer at one point.
They are both supposedly in love with Clara Bow in the film, who, during filming, began a love affair it is said with a newcomer in the cast, Gary Cooper. Neither of them shows as much love for her, however, as they do for each other.
No, this doesn't mean they are gay; they may just be in deep platonic love, deepened by the bonds of war. But notice how today, such a kiss would not be shown in such a context. In some ways, greater awareness of homosexuality has led to a temporary decline in homosociality for straights. I think that's beginning to change back again. I sure hope so. The gay rights movement is not only about allowing people to be gay with dignity; at root, it's about allowing people to be themselves with dignity. Which includes genuine, non-gay, love between men.
The Dish 