Gay NYE Kiss Couple Shrug Off Trolls, Speak about Representation

The gay interracial couple whose New Year's kiss was broadcast on CNN and became an internet sensation have stepped up and spoken out, dismissing the hate-filled ravings of trolls and emphasizing the value of visibility.

Speaking with Pink News, Jake Eriksson and Corin Christian shared their response to the plaudits, as well as the deranged denunciations, that their viral smooch inspired.

"People are afraid of what they don't understand," Eriksson told the publication. "If people feel hatred toward homosexuality, it is not necessarily their own fault."

However, he went on to add, "We don't get to choose how we are raised but we can choose how we treat others and hope to educate future generations."

Saying he "had the amazing opportunity to share a New Year's kiss with my partner in front of the whole world," Eriksson told Pink News that he and Christin "appreciate the positive feedback we received and hope that our experience can inspire youth to always be themselves."

Christian had a similarly level-headed attitude, telling Pink News, "At the end of the day, me and my partner are happy and in love, no matter where the backlash comes from."

And backlash there was, some of it reaching QAnon levels of delusion. The clip of Eriksson and Christian's sweet New Year's kiss was broadcast not only on CNN but on other major networks as well, before being shared widely across social media. Haters went wild; Pink News noted that some "anti-LGBTQ+ trolls even went so far as to claim the moment was scripted and a 'psychological operation which was designed to intrude on Middle America'."

But while homophobic bigots and anti-gay conspiracy theorists melted down, others embraced the moment for what it was: A fact of life that more and more young Americans don't feel compelled to hide.

Eriksson, who grew up Mormon and identifies as bisexual, described for Pink News the toll of internalized homophobia.

"I turned to drugs and alcohol to cope with my feelings of confusion and impending doom," Eriksson said. "After years of suffering, and two suicide attempts, I got sober and decided that I would no longer live my life in fear, and decided to pursue my dream of becoming an actor."

Now, with the love and acceptance of his "amazing family" and loving parents, Eriksson has arrived at a much different, and far healthier, place in life. "I am very proud to be me today," he told Pink News.

Christian, by contrast, came out at age 14, sparing himself years of turmoil and discovering that his embrace of authenticity was "One of the best moments of my life."

The couple don't just want to be an example of happiness for LGTBQ+ youth; they also want their representation to be meaningful for parents of LGBTQ+ offspring.

"It's OK to love your child unconditionally whether you understand it or not," Christian said. "There is nothing in the world worse than living your life in fear every day."

And to "all the couples out there," Christian had this to say: "[L]love your partner with everything you have because there's nothing better than having comfort to fall back on when you need it."

Love, commitment, honesty, authentic family values... it sounds like a recipe for good living, not just in 2024 but for a lifetime.