Westfield Mall to Embrace Protests Over Booted Gay Smoochers

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Earlier this week, a security guard kicked out a gay couple from Westfield Galleria in Roseville, near Sacramento, for kissing. Members of the local LGBT community are planning a "kiss-in" in protest at the shopping center on Saturday. Westfield spokespeople say kiss away, and that everyone, including the publicly affectionate, are welcome at the mall.

The guard told the couple that anyone caught locking lips would be ejected, but a local news crew camped out at the the mall and despite lots of smooching, no one was removed. In an impressive display of local TV reporting, a news crew showed up at the mall managers office, creating a scene straight out of 60 minutes. The manager said the mall's "code of conduct" must be obeyed by patrons, but he didn't actually know what the rules were. He also had an important meeting. The news team dug up the the rules and said they contain nothing about displaying affection.

The the Galleria's Facebook page exploded with displeasure after the report, and Westfield has now issued a statement saying they support diversity. The kiss-in in scheduled for 11am on Saturday at Starbucks at the Galleria.
· Westfield Mall in Roseville Throws Out Kissing Gay Couple [SFist]
· Westfield Galleria in Roseville to 'embrace' Saturday's 'kiss-in' protest [ABC Local]
· Westfield Galleria at Roseville [Facebook]