Watch what happens when this couple hold hands in Lisbon, Portugal

It’s the simple experiment that seems to be popping up online more and more recently, with predictably depressing results: Two men walk the streets of a city holding hands, and a hidden camera records the public reactions.

From Jerusalem to Russia to Kiev, recent videos have shown disturbing reactions to these small public displays of same-sex affection, as the respective male couples can be seen copping verbal and physical abuse – and in one case, even a Neo-Nazi attack.

But a four-minute video published to YouTube this week is markedly different. In the video, a young gay couple, Pedro and Lorenzo, walking hand in hand around Lisbon, Portugal.

“Our idea was to show was to show to all those homophobics, and the rest of the world, how people should behave in society when they see a same-sex couple holding hands,” said Pedro.

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Over three days, the couple filmed in locations across the city to canvass how people would react to their public displays of affection.

“What we got was very different to all of the experimental videos similar to this one,” said Pedro.

“There was no hate, threats, punches, or a single verbal abuse. Of course we got plenty of people looking at us, but there weren’t negative stares. Instead, they were just looks of surprise or curiosity.”

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The couple said they don’t normally like to show public displays of affection, would sometimes feel frightened for doing so.

But the social experiment changed their minds.

“We felt respected and free just by being ourselves. We felt what every straight and gay couple should feel: we felt comfortable,” said Pedro.

“We hope this video reaches those who insult and attack same-sex couples. Maybe they will learn a little bit about how to properly behave in society.

“If you live in a country where being gay is not a crime, you should always walk holding your girlfriend or boyfriend’s hand.”

 

https://instagram.com/p/5sPJELmeaR/

Words by TROY NANKERVIS.