Protesters organized a mass-kissing event, known as a "besatón," at the Andino Mall in Bogotá to protest alleged discrimination against a homosexual couple [1].

The event highlights the ongoing tension between public displays of affection for LGBTQ+ individuals and the policies of private commercial establishments in Colombia. It follows a legal escalation where the affected couple filed a criminal complaint against the mall's management [1].

The protest took place July 22, 2024 [1]. The demonstration was a direct response to the treatment of two young men who alleged they were targeted by mall authorities [1, 2].

Participants gathered in the shopping center to show solidarity with the couple. The "besatón" served as a visible rejection of the alleged discriminatory behavior reported by the pair [1].

The case has now moved to the Fiscalía, Colombia's attorney general's office, as part of the criminal action initiated by the couple [1]. The legal proceedings seek to determine if the mall's management violated anti-discrimination laws during the interaction with the two men [1, 2].

While the protest focused on visibility and affection, the legal battle focuses on the rights of citizens within private spaces that offer public services. The couple's decision to pursue a penal action marks a shift from seeking a public apology to seeking legal accountability [1].

“A "besatón" was convened as a protest against discrimination.”

This incident underscores the legal conflict in Colombia regarding the limits of private property rights when those properties function as public spaces. By moving the complaint to the Fiscalía, the couple is attempting to establish a legal precedent that discrimination in commercial hubs is a punishable crime rather than a mere policy violation.