GenQ - For the not so straight individual

ITALY'S leading gay rights group Arcigay "officially" dubbed Via San Giovani in Laterno Rome's new "Gay Street," saying it wanted to give the Eternal City a "point of reference for the gay and lesbian community."

Several establishments frequented by homosexuals have opened in the street since 2001, but Rome does not have a gay district similar to those in other cities.

The two men who were arrested last week and charged with public indecency said they had merely kissed, while the police said their embrace went much farther in a "manifest and unequivocal way."

About 100 mainly gay couples protested the arrest outside the Colosseum last Sunday.

Thursday's rally had the support of several members of Prime Minister Romano Prodi's centre-left government, including Equal Opportunity Minister Barbara Pollastrini, Youth and Sports Minister Giovanna Melandri and Social Solidarity Minister Paolo Ferrero.

In a message to the organisers, Ferrero said: "There is still a long road ahead in terms of democracy, freedom and respect."

Calling for a struggle "against all forms of discrimination", he said the protest had "great symbolic value."