ANTI-GAY PROTESTER DISRUPTS FRENCH OPEN FINAL
A man protesting against the legalisation of same-sex marriage in France ran onto the court during the French Open men’s singles final between Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer.
The bare-chested masked man carried a flaming torch as he interrupted the match in Paris. The words “kids right” were scrawled on his chest.
He was quickly apprehended by security staff and taken away while the flames were put out as millions watched on live television.
Seven people in total were detained in other protests at the Roland Garros venue. Two held up a banner that read: “Help! France tramples on the rights of children!”
Hommen, a French group against gay marriage, claimed responsibility for the protests.
In April, amidst a wave of massive anti-gay protests, France became the ninth European country and the 14th in the world to legalise marriage equality for all of its citizens.
The law, which also legalised adoption by gay couples, has divided France and radicalised the right wing.
LGBT rights groups and police have documented a dramatic spike in hate crime attacks against gay people in the country this year.
Sunday’s match was won by Nadal, his eighth French Open victory.
When I read about these things happening in so-called first-world countries, I thank my lucky stars I was born in SA.