2000 people at Gay Kiss-In in Brazil

The event was staged as a protest after a gay couple was reprehended by the mall security for kissing at a movie theater line.

The mall management denies any acts of discrimination, but Joao Xavier, 25, and Rodrigo Rocha, 21, registerd a complaint at the local police station.

Repercussion was so big that the mall management apologized through the press, allowed the event and even prepared a special reception for the gay public, with a "red kiss" decoration, a wooden stage at the food area and hired rock bands that played well-known brazilian songs like "Kiss me" and "Sweet little kiss"

However, even if the management apologized, the gay right groups made a stand for the public, police is not prone to move on with a investigation in a already crime-ridden city like Sao Paulo. According to the mall management, the event overflowed the 'Frei Caneca", with 18 thousand attendants (mostly curious 'straight' spectators) on last Sunday night, instead of the usual 10 thousand.

Pics are by brazilian Joao Araujo, photographer of the "Folha de Sao Paulo" newspaper.