Gay TV kiss sparks kissing protest

ATHENS (Reuters) - Fifty gay men and women have gone on a "kissing demonstration" in central Athens in protest at a 100,000 euro (70,000 pounds) fine imposed by the Greek TV regulator for scenes in a late-night drama that included a kiss between two men.

The watchdog criticised the sexually charged language and portrayal of a relationship between gay men in the hit series "Close Your Eyes", which deals with the lives of a group of 20-somethings. It said it "could damage young people by making them too familiar with vulgarity".

Representatives of gay and transsexual rights groups gathered outside the building of the regulator to protest at what they said was a racist decision that marginalises gay people.

"We cannot go back to the Middle Ages," said a spokesman for a gay rights union, shortly before couples of all gender combinations started kissing.

Mega Channel television station which broadcasts the show has said it would take the case to the country’s highest administrative court, while all private TV stations have signed a petition calling for a rethink of the decision.

In classical Greek art and literature, romantic love between men was a common theme, with decorative pottery commonly featuring homoerotic scenes. However, in modern-day Greece, public discussions on homosexuality are rare and very few people in the public eye are openly gay.

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