Saturday, July 28, 2007
Italian gay groups protest after 2 men were detained for kissing in public (8:40 p.m.)
ROME -- Italian gay rights groups reacted angrily Saturday to the detention of two men who said they were detained by police for kissing in front of the Colosseum in Rome.
Some lawmakers said they would discuss the incident in parliament, while Arcigay, the main Italian gay rights group, accused the police of discrimination and said it would hold a public "kiss in" protest on Thursday near the ancient monument.
The couple identified as Roberto L. and Michele M. and said the two, aged 27 and 28, was said to have only shared a gesture of affection after a night out in the gay bars that line one of the streets near the Colosseum.
The Carabinieri paramilitary police confirmed the two men were held for about 40 minutes early Friday and released after being reported for committing lewd acts in public - a crime that can carry a sentence of up to 2 years in jail.
Carabinieri official Colonel Alssandro Casarsa said that the police acted because the couple committed a lewd act in front of one of the most viewed monuments in Italy. (AP)
|
