Photo by MatthewBradley

The Washington Blade reports (hat tip to The New Gay) that a kiss-in protest is planned for this evening at the Tastee Diner in Silver Spring. Aiyi’nah Ford and Torian Brown, a local lesbian couple, say that during a recent visit, they were asked to leave the restaurant by the manager after he observed them embracing.

Ford said a manager she identified only by the first name Paul, asked if they could “please take that outside.” Ford asked Paul if he was serious, and he said that he was. Ford noted that a heterosexual couple was kissing at a nearby booth.

“He proceeded to say that this was a family establishment and that people are trying to eat, as though our embrace would make someone sick,” Ford said.

A waitress even followed them outside after the incident to apologize for her boss’s behavior, noting that things like this have happened before, according to the couple. So Ford, Brown and a large group of friends are planning to visit the Tastee at 9 p.m. tonight and show the diner a whole lot of same-sex affection. The group plans on being seated, eating, embracing or kissing, paying, and then gathering outside for a discussion. Anyone who’d like to join them is encouraged to show up at 8601 Cameron Street. There are currently 94 people signed up to attend on Facebook.