A gay couple whose New Year's Eve kiss was broadcast to a national television audience have spoken out about the surprising and mixed reaction it generated online.
The Viral Moment That Captured Attention
On December 31st, personal trainer Ricky Locci and his boyfriend DJ Petrosino shared a kiss in New York's Times Square as they celebrated the arrival of 2026. The intimate moment was captured on the venue's jumbotron and subsequently aired during ESPN's Sport Center broadcast. Following the clip, anchorman Scott Van Pelt appeared visibly taken aback, a reaction that was quickly clipped and spread across social media platforms.
In an exclusive interview with Outsports, the couple revealed they had no idea their kiss would be televised nationally. "We thought it would just be shown on the Jumbotrons," Petrosino explained. "We didn't know it was going to be televised. We kiss all the time, so we didn't think it was that big of a deal."
Interpreting the Reaction and Online Fallout
The couple addressed the spectrum of responses, from heartwarming support to negative commentary. Locci noted, "It's been an interesting mix of reactions! We've had a lot of support, with people saying the kiss warmed their hearts." However, they also witnessed users on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) seizing upon Van Pelt's surprised expression to stir controversy, with some accusing the anchor of disgust or other negative emotions.
Both Locci and Petrosino were keen to dismiss any malice in Van Pelt's now-viral reaction. "Our interpretation was that he was surprised and didn't want to say the wrong thing," Petrosino stated. Locci added, "It's crazy how you saw people take his reaction and try to make the worst out of it. I guess they'll interpret it the way that they want."
Petrosino reflected on the context, saying, "With it being on a sports network, where people kissing in general is not seen much, it's unexpected in and of itself. But then to have the cherry on top of it being two men is twisting the screw, you know?"
Carrying the Torch for LGBTQ+ Visibility
Despite the online noise, the couple expressed pride in their unintentional role in increasing LGBTQ+ representation. "I said to Ricky, when we were sifting through everything, that queer people have been around for hundreds of years, and this is nothing new," Petrosino shared. "However, I think it's important that this was highlighted right now, and we're happy to carry the torch."
They also opened up about their personal journeys. Locci recounted how friends rejected him after he came out, telling him he was "going to hell," while his family was supportive. Petrosino revealed his Italian-American mother from Boston was mainly upset he hadn't told her sooner about his sexuality. Both described their paths to authenticity as having "ups and downs" but ultimately rewarding.
As the dust settles on their viral moment, Locci and Petrosino stand by their simple, celebratory act, emphasising the ongoing need for visibility and the importance of not assuming the worst in people's reactions.
