"Two women were kicked out of Waterloo's Café 1842 at the Huether Hotel on March 29. Why? They exchanged a kiss," reports Xtra.ca "In protest, more than 900 people have joined a Facebook page since it was created on Tuesday: Taking Action Against Homophobia in Waterloo Region. There are rumblings of a boycott or kiss-in." READ MORE

Update
"Waterloo queers are set to rally against homophobia and hate, following an incident at Cafe 1842 on March 29, when two lesbians were asked to stop kissing," reports Xtra.ca "The queer community has organized a kiss-in, rally and dance for Saturday, April 10th, 2010."

Interesting comment thread about this article...

from Xtra.ca

Laura:
I have been reading some of the responses to this article and I'm appalled that some people are actually siding with the owner of the restaurant! While I agree that certain levels of sexual displays aren't appropriate for any couple regardless of it being same-sex or not, I don't think it is right for the owner to kick couples out for kissing or making out.

Based on the countless amounts of times that I've seen heterosexual couples making out and engaging in other sexual activities at restaurants and in other establishments with no one saying anything about it - it's clear that this incident is an act of blatant homophobia. The restaurant owner is trying to save her own ass by suggesting that PDAs are offensive to children and seniors - weak excuses!

Also, the customer who showed up in the bathrobe/without pants was not told to leave - which to me would seem way more inappropriate than a same-sex couple kissing in public.

I wasn't there. I didn't witness what happened, but based on the information it's clear that the owner is a fault here. Totally in support of the kiss-in protest!


Ron:
Can't prove this a homophobic issue, but it certainly seems small minded at least. Canada's firing off guns in foreign countries where we have no business in the first places, and here's someone taking issue with people kissing in public. We need to grow up fast as a society, get over turning up our noses at other people's expressions of love, ... See Morelearn to live and let live, mind our own business, and, in this case, be more gracious to our guests and customers. This incident may seem small potatoes, but as a society we don't have time for this kind of intolerant nonsense. If we're going to be intolerent, then, at the very least we should warn our customers or guests up front and in advance if there is behavior we don't want them to bring to our premises. At least then they would know the inside dirt on how they can expect to be treated.


John:
This was a comment I had written to the facebook group, but I figured I'd share to this network:

I joined this group to say one thing, and then I shall be leaving, do not expect any response. However, before I write my issue, I would like to say that I support homosexual rights, but I do not support this group.

After reading all sides of this story from numerous sources, and learning of other examples of this in the past, I, a straight male, now feel threatened to confront any homosexual couple with a concern no matter how warranted it may be. I keep seeing the attitude of "any potential homophobic issue, no matter how small, has to be dealt with", and it makes me fear that any actions I take while in contention with a same-sex couple will be misconstrued for and by the public eye, thus, I feel my own reputation, my friends reputation, and my families reputation would be in danger.

Precedents are continuously being set that any issue, no matter how small or convoluted, should be held as an attack against homosexuals. I firmly believe that if this group feels victimized in society then the rally should be held half a year from now, not in direct response to this issue; this is a huge step back for your community.
Congratulations, you are gaining support for equal rights not through a basic idea that we are born equal, but through fear