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Half-naked models are commonplace on Italy's advertising hoardings but a kiss between two fully dressed men has caused a furore on the streets of its capital.

Photographer Oliviero Toscani has ignited a furious debate over homosexuality with his latest adverts featuring two men kissing and groping on a sofa. The billboards have triggered outrage at a time when the rights of homosexual couples are being hotly debated in Catholic Italy.

In one poster for the men's clothing line Ra-Re, one of the models is clutching another's crotch. Another shows the same model lying across the sofa and pulling his boyfriend on top of him for a kiss.

'These posters are vulgar and a bad example for our children,' said a spokesman for the parents association MOIGE, which wants the adverts banned. 'It's not a matter of sexual orientation. They would be crass even if they featured a man and a woman.' Complaints have flooded in to the offices of Rome city council and an organisation called The Citizens Defence Movement has joined the chorus of criticism. 'Obviously we respect homosexuality but it can be difficult to explain to young children,' a spokesman said.

Toscani, who was behind the controversial Benetton clothing company adverts and whose career has been built on shock tactics, was typically unrepentant. The 63-year-old photographer admitted he had taken advantage of the current debate in Italy about the legal and civil rights of gay couples.

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During his 18-year collaboration with Benetton, Toscani was accused of cynicism in using controversial images for commercial ends. They included a dying Aids activist, handicapped children, a man slain by the Mafia, and a nun kissing a priest. In 2000 he left the company after a campaign featuring death row inmates sparked a series of law suits.

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I will admit that they do sound a bit crass. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing.

Edited to add: Thanks WW. I do think the crotch grab looks a little suspect, but neither of them seem all that crass to me. I definitely don't think anybody would have objected to the second if it were a man and a woman.

[ 20 September 2005: Message edited by: Raos ]

Man, she was sex in a pair of jeans, and I'd cream mine every time I was with her. I remember thinking at the time, as 14 year olds think, what in hell is this strange smell?. It permeates the whole room!. Was that Beavis or Butthead who goes "A-hehehehehe" ?. Or is it just the cold and austere side of my Anglo-Saxon jeanery overwhelming the Latino in me ?. hehehehehe

[ 20 September 2005: Message edited by: Fidel ]

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Originally posted by Fidel:

Small town boy here.

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Those clothes. That chesterfield.

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I'm not sold on the chesterfield. I think you'd slide off a leather couch if you tried to make out on it.

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It depends on how hot it is.

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The kissing one is definitely sexier.

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Originally posted by Willowdale Wizard:

i'm so non-chalant about kissing my boyfriend, i'll put my hand on my hip.

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I'm definitely not a fan of the clothes in the first one, though. I've never liked the look of patchy jeans, though.

[ 20 September 2005: Message edited by: Raos ]