Gay rights supporters stage a kiss-in in front of Russian Consulate in Vancouver

Gay activists gathered  at the Russian Consulate in Vancouver this afternoon to stage a “kiss-in” to protest new anti-gay laws in Russia.

The new laws allow police officers to arrest and detain tourists and foreign nationals suspected of being gay and outlaw the so-called gay propaganda.

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The event’s Facebook page asked protesters to kiss someone of the same sex in front of the Consulate as well as bring rainbow and Russian flags.

Participants were also asked to use hashtag #GlobalKissInProtest to spread the word about the protest.

Vancouver’s pride week is wrapping up this weekend.

Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to walk across Vancouver’s new rainbow crosswalks to attend the culmination of pride week — the hugely popular pride parade on Sunday.