British Gay Couple Answer Anti-LGBTQ Protestors with Public Kiss
A gay British couple had just the right response to a crowd of anti-LGBTQ protestors who had gathered in front of a cultural center in Chester, England, to decry a production of the stage musical "The Rocky Horror Show." Instead of reflecting the crowd's hate, the couple modeled love with a big ol' snog.
The crowd was evidently under the impression that the musical - which gave rise to the 1975 cult hit movie "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" - is representative of gay culture. The storyline of the play and film concerns a young heterosexual couple who find themselves sheltering from a storm in the company of a group of extraterrestrials from a planet called "Transsexual." The aliens are led by flamboyant scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter. Over the course of a madcap night, the couple is both seduced by Frank-N-Furter, who also reveals his latest achievement: A hunky artificial life form whom the scientist has named Rocky. The parallels to classic horror novel "Frankenstein" end there, however: The artificial man is so attractive that infatuation and jealously soon break out among everyone concerned.
The musical, which first premiered in London in 1973, remains popular - though not to the protestors, who arrived at the Chester Storyhouse with placards in hand that warned of "sin" and God's "wrath."
24-year-old Joe Fergus and his boyfriend Robert Brookes, 21, arrived at the theater to be greeted by the sight of the protestors and their signs. Fergus told the media, "When we arrived there were a lot of people outside the theatre arguing a lot with the protesters." Added Fergus, "The problem is you're never going to get anywhere arguing with them.
"I said to Rob 'wouldn't it be great if we didn't acknowledge them and had a kiss in front of them' and he said 'that's great,' " the young man went on to say.
Staff at the theater reportedly took a photo of the couple's kiss, and Fergus posted the image to Facebook.
"When haters be hating, the best thing to do is spread the love," Fergus posted in the text accompanying the photo.
A gathering of counter-protestors agreed, showing their appreciation by braking into applause, The BBC reported.
The weeklong production is at Storyhouse as part of a new national tour, the BBC noted.
Storyhouse, too, took to social media to comment on the kiss.
"Storyhouse is and always will be a safe space," the venue posted at Twitter. "We celebrate and support LGBTQ+ communities - always."
To everyone coming to The Rocky Horror Show tonight and this week at Storyhouse:
Storyhouse is and always will be a safe space. We celebrate and support LGBTQ+ communities - always. Let's have a FABULOUS night & week. ??????????????????
To those who are protesting: #LETSDOTHETIMEWARPAGAIN pic.twitter.com/IPhCC3GuVr— Storyhouse (@StoryhouseLive) September 16, 2019