WATCH: Protesters gathered in support of a lesbian couple expelled for kissing in a cafe in Vienna.
VIENNA – Thousands of people have gathered in front of a renowned Vienna cafe to demonstrate against the expulsion of a kissing lesbian couple.
Police estimated around 2,000 people participated in the protest Friday, forcing the closure of one downtown street. Some of the demonstrators exchanged long kisses.
RELATED: LGBT seniors afraid they will have to go back in the closet
The manager of Cafe Prueckel has apologized for telling the couple to leave last weekend. But the pair – Anastasia Lopez and Eva Prewein – say the demonstration is meant to draw attention to the general prevalence of discrimination against gays in Vienna.
Vienna hosts several events each year that attracts gays, bisexuals and cross-dressers from across Europe, and Austrian singer Conchita Wurst has become the figurehead for Europe’s non-straight community.
RELATED: Russia bans transgender people from driving
Vienna’s tourist agency has criticized the expulsions.
Comments