Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
World
Ryan Ramgobin

Canadian navy makes history with first same-sex kiss at homecoming

A Canadian sailor returning from sea has made history as he shared the first ever same-sex kiss at a Naval homecoming ceremony.

The ceremonial first kiss shared between a sailor and their partner is decided by a raffle and it was the first time in the Royal Canadian Navy’s history that the kiss had been between two men.

The returning sailor, Master Seaman Francis League told Global News: “I just bought a ticket because all the money goes to charity; I wasn’t thinking I was going to win.”

Mr League was away for 255 days aboard the HMCS Winnipeg after a tour in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific.

Rear Admiral Gilles Couturier, commander of the Pacific Navy, told CBC News: “We are reflective of society and we do recruit across all across society.”

“If we don't adapt, we won't have any sailors joining.”

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.