Gay groups in Rome held a small gathering on Sunday night at the Colosseum to protest the arrest and brief detention of two men on Jul 26 for "kissing" at the world renown tourist attraction.
The ''kiss-in'' protest organised by the Mario Mieli Club on Sunday night drew a few dozen people to the 2000-year-old arena while another protest organised by Arcigay has been scheduled for Aug 2.
According to press reports, two gay men, aged 27 and 28, were charged with what Italian police said was "lewd conduct." The pair was then held at a police station for either 40 minutes or several hours before being released early Friday, depending on whether you ask the police or Arcigay, the main Italian gay rights group.
The contradictory statements do not end there.
While Arcigay maintains that the pair had only shared a gesture of affection after a night out in the gay bars that line one of the streets near the Colosseum, an extract from the official report to prosecutors, published by the daily Corriere della Sera, said they "had their trousers and underpants down."
If convicted, the offence carries a sentence of up to 2 years in jail.
Accusing the police of discrimination and calling for an apology from a government minister, Arcigay has hired a lawyer for the couple.
The Police has denied they were homophobic. "It's not an issue of homosexuality, but of legality," said Col. Alessandro Casarsa. "We apply the law to all in the same way, men and women."
Another "kiss-in" protest - organised by Arcigay - has been scheduled for Aug 2.
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Reader's Comments
Hell, I say make the two loverbirds pay a fine and punish the officers as well.
First of all why we do have to be caught with our pants down in a public place. For God sake , being gay does not mean we have to express ourselves explcitly. What are we trying to prove ?? It's no longer asking for people to accept and respect us . We need to at least respect ourselves too if we want to have a common voice.
I support the couple if they are discriminated by the Italian police for being together holding hands just like any other decent couples ( sraight or otherwise ). But if they are proving a point with their pants down , oh oh , then I think we need to reflect on our own doing . Again , we do not know the actual case , so you readers , please don;t get too emotional. We need a common voice. But we must be morally and respectfully right too.
Think about this. Many gays I know , think that it's ok to express explicitly in public places. Don't forget , this is not about gay rights , it's about respect and we need to at least respect ourselves first before we expect others to respect us.
I am for Gay freedom and rights , but like everything else , there is a limit. Staright , gay or bi !! We need to live harmoniously with our other brothers and sisters. Being gay is one thing , having others to respect us and accept us is our course and we need to fight for that freedom. But not when we go overboard and make a foool of ourselves from our sexual behaviors in public ??? Who can we blame ???? OURSELVES !!! Period !!
That being said, it depends on where u r bcoz these gestures might offend other ppl and may bring abt gay-bashing, and this is true.
Be careful & be safe...
Gay bars & clubbings rarely exist in Rome so this does not come as a surprise.
Singaporean residing in Germany
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