Receiving a shower of sparkles from gay rights activists has become something of a rite of passage for Republican candidates this year. But now that the Secret Service is protecting Mitt Romney, glitter-bombing’s days could be numbered. TIME’s photo editors look back at American politics’ glitziest form of protest.
A Brief Photographic History of Glitter-Bombs
Craig Lassig / EPA
Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum is glitter-bombed by an unidentified man, left with can in hand, as he is greeted by a supporter during a campaign rally at the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minnesota, Feb. 7, 2012.