A column in today’s Red & Black, the University of Georgia’s independent student newspaper, promotes acceptance amongst the LGBTQ community. Columnist Marc McAfee draws on his own prejudices and past experiences to conjure up acceptance in others.

While I was a little taken aback at first, I think Marc’s point is definitely one of acceptance and equality, and I appreciate his willingness to put this in the paper.

Here’s a snippet of the last few ‘graphs in Marc’s article. Read the entire article here.

I’m reminded of this summer in Atlanta, where I was attending an outdoor movie with my girlfriend. We saw a guy in front of us who looked like any other neighborhood dad, and he seemed to be impatiently waiting on someone.

Suddenly, his face lit up when he saw that someone, but it wasn’t a mom and two kids-it was another guy that looked just like him. When it came time to embrace, there was an awkward half-hug, and a hesitant pat on the back.

That night, those two looked at each other in the same way many couples did. Yet as they spent the rest of the movie on their blanket together, they left a foot of nervous space between them at all times.

They sat there and looked like two awkward kids at a sixth grade dance who knew they were being watched.

Sure, this straight southern white male would have done another double-take if I’d seen those two holding hands. Because even if they weren’t shoving it in my face, that kind of thing isn’t “normal” to me.

But two people who care for each other – and choose to tastefully show it in public?

That’s not just normal, that’s natural.