Gay Couple ask to stop kissing at Restaurant

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Gay Couple Protests Alsip Restaurant with 'Kiss-In'

Couple claims discrimination by restaurant manager

Alsip - A kissing couple had a south suburban restaurant locked in controversy Friday night, and it has sparked a passionate protest. 

The protestors have staged what may be one of the first "kiss-ins" after a confrontation between the owner of an Alsip restaurant and a gay couple.

Frankie Nielsen and Danny Hankes said they were kicked out of the restaurant in early May after exchanging what they called a "social" kiss.

"Yes of course it was discrimination," said Frankie Nielsen. "He told us he knew we were in love in sarcastic voice and said we should calm down because it is a family restaurant well they are part of our family."

The couple was back at the Fiesta Azteca Friday night and they brought about a hundred of their friends for wha they described as a "kiss-in" protest.

Restaurant owner Jaime Esparza said he did not throw the couple out for kissing, he just asked them to stop.

The popular Mexican restaurant was filled with protesters, customers as well as supporters of the manager. Many people dining and drinking Fiesta Azteca's margaritas said it's not about gay or straight -- it's about knowing how to behave in public and in front of kids.

The guiding principle here is the Illinois Human Rights Act. It says if the restaurant allows anyone to kiss they have to allow everyone to kiss. If they want to have a no kissing rule, they would have to post it and enforce it equally.

By Lilia Chacon, FOX Chicago News