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‘Canoodling’ by lesbians in Austrian cafe sparks protests

The two women were forced to leave the 112-year-old Cafe Prueckel in Vienna, Austria last weekend after the cafe’s manager kicked them out over what they called a “greetings kiss.” Eva Prewein, 26, and Anastasia Lopez, 19, were first told by a waiter to stop kissing, but when the ladies complained to the manager, he allegedly said, “that sort of behavior belongs in a brothel, and not in a traditional coffee house,” according to The Local.

The cafe’s manager, Christl Sedlar, did admit to having an excessive reaction but insisted the couple were “canoodling,” and he felt “recognized standards of behaviour” needed to be maintained. Lopez said she and Prewein were surprised that several people in the cafe didn’t stand up for them.

“I don’t like petting in my cafe. I don’t care who is cuddling who — this is a traditional Viennese café and we don’t encourage such behavior,” said the manager, according to The Daily Meal.

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, canoodling is hugging and kissing another in a sexual way. It’s first known use dates from the English in 1859 and referred to a donkey, a fool or a foolish lover.

It is interesting to note that Vienna hosts a number of LGBT events annually. In 2013, 80,000 people voted Vienna as their favorite cultural destination on the website GayCities.com. Austria was not included on GayCities 2015 list of the “Seven Countries You Love That Don’t Treat Us Equally,” but that may change next year.

Social media took over in promoting the protest today, with over 2,000 people attending, filling the street in front of Cafe Prueckel. Even the city’s tourist agency got involved. “We are here to make a stand against intolerance and homophobia,” Philipp Pertl, from the Rainbow Scouting Austria rights group said. “The law needs to change. It cannot be that gay and lesbians get thrown out of a cafe or restaurant for kissing.”

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We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our dear friend Karen Graham, who served as Editor-at-Large at Digital Journal. She was 78 years old. Karen's view of what is happening in our world was colored by her love of history and how the past influences events taking place today. Her belief in humankind's part in the care of the planet and our environment has led her to focus on the need for action in dealing with climate change. It was said by Geoffrey C. Ward, "Journalism is merely history's first draft." Everyone who writes about what is happening today is indeed, writing a small part of our history.

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