Crowd in Mexico stops gay couple from being arrested as they chant ‘I’m gay too’ at cops
Armed police were filmed handcuffing the holiday-makers on the beach
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A gay couple were handcuffed by armed police “for kissing” on a beach in Mexico.
A series of videos of the incident, posted to Facebook, appear to show police ushering the couple into the back of a vehicle as a crowd of fellow beachgoers chant “I’m gay too” in solidarity.
The two men are then released to cheers from the crowd gathered on the beach in Tulum, Quintana Roo, on Mexico’s east coast.
According to Maritza Escalante Morales, who shared multiple videos of the incident, police told onlookers that the couple were being arrested because they “had kissed” and that “there are families and children about and they can’t be watching this”.
The two young men, who speak in both Spanish and English to police, were holidaying in Mexico when they were arrested . One of them can be heard saying “what the f***?” to the camera as he gestures to his handcuffs.
The men were released “within minutes”, Morales says, as beachgoers argued with police, insisting that the couple weren’t committing a crime.
Discriminating against LGBT+ people was outlawed in Mexico in 2003.
According to LGBTQ Nation, Quintana Roo Police issued a statement claiming that the men were arrested for “immoral acts and sexual erotic demonstrations, on the road or public places”.
The Independent has contacted the police department for comment.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments