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.