Lesbians face trial for kissing on Italian beach
A lesbian couple from Rome who allegedly kissed on a beach could end up in court over charges of “indecent exposure”, La Repubblica reported.
An investigation by the prosecutor’s office in Rome has concluded that the women, aged 29 and 34, committed a “sexually explicit” act after allegedly “kissing and fondling” on a secluded beach in Fregene, a fishing village near Rome, in May last year.
The women were reportedly sitting in a sheltered area of the beach when onlookers reported them to police, who later arrested them for “indecent exposure”.
Their lawyer Gianluca Arrighi told La Repubblica they were sat in that area of the beach to shelter from the wind and not to commit the sexual acts they’re accused of.
“Unless you consider that a kiss between two women, even today, is an [indecent] act,” he was quoted as saying.
Arrighi added that a decision over the trial now rests with the prosecutor’s office in Civitavecchia, a port city close to Rome.
“We await the conclusion of the prosecutor and if there is a trial it will be dealt with calmly and with heads held high."
Gay couples often face discrimination in Italy for public displays of affection. The summer of 2010 was described by the Italian press as the “summer of homophobia” after a series of incidents in which gay people were either verbally or physically attacked, and in one case fined, for kissing in public.
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An investigation by the prosecutor’s office in Rome has concluded that the women, aged 29 and 34, committed a “sexually explicit” act after allegedly “kissing and fondling” on a secluded beach in Fregene, a fishing village near Rome, in May last year.
The women were reportedly sitting in a sheltered area of the beach when onlookers reported them to police, who later arrested them for “indecent exposure”.
Their lawyer Gianluca Arrighi told La Repubblica they were sat in that area of the beach to shelter from the wind and not to commit the sexual acts they’re accused of.
“Unless you consider that a kiss between two women, even today, is an [indecent] act,” he was quoted as saying.
Arrighi added that a decision over the trial now rests with the prosecutor’s office in Civitavecchia, a port city close to Rome.
“We await the conclusion of the prosecutor and if there is a trial it will be dealt with calmly and with heads held high."
Gay couples often face discrimination in Italy for public displays of affection. The summer of 2010 was described by the Italian press as the “summer of homophobia” after a series of incidents in which gay people were either verbally or physically attacked, and in one case fined, for kissing in public.
Don't miss a story about Italy - Join us on Facebook and Twitter.
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