MELISSA ETHERIDGE - ETHERIDGE AGONIZED ABOUT OSCARS KISS

Lesbian rocker MELISSA ETHERIDGE agonized over whether it was appropriate to kiss her wife at the Oscars - because she isn't fond of public displays of affection. The singer/songwriter knew she had an outside chance of winning gold at the Academy Awards last night (25FEB07) for her AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH song I NEED TO WAKE UP and she wanted to find the best way to thank partner TAMMY LYNN MICHAELS. But, when her name was called she didn't hesitate to lock lips with the actress. She says, "I have not been one to kiss my partner in public just for sensationalism. I don't think I ever have, but she was so important to me; especially, with this project. "She was the one who said, 'Just write what you feel,' when I was going, 'Well, how do you write about global warming?'" Etheridge admits her Oscar win gave her the perfect opportunity to thank her partner on a grand scale for helping her battle cancer. The rocker adds, "She meant so much to me, and she saved my life."