Thoughts on TIME's Gay Marriage (or, is it Gay Sex?) Cover

1. Is this about gay sex or gay marriage?

2. Don’t the covers perpetuate gender stereotypes (or gay stereotypes) to the extent the women’s kiss is more sensual as compared to the more aggressive male kiss?

3. Is a “same sex” kiss really that impactful as a media image anymore? And then, how much is the depiction of kissing, as opposed to something more “plain” intimate or domestic, stereotypical too?

4. If they wanted to be more edgy, and also more inclusive (many couples having been together for decades hoping to get married), why not offer us middle-aged or, better, senior smooches?

5. I applaud the fact these are real couples, but I couldn’t tell they weren’t models until I read the backstory. With gay marriage having finally reached the Supreme Court, I wonder if the breakthrough is more about Main Street than film noir.

(photos: Peter Hapak for TIME)