
The lights were chosen by the local council as a stand against homophobia, following the recent suicide of a gay teenager in the Eternal City.
Mile-long rainbow-flag themed Christmas lights that were planned as an anti-homophobic message following the suicide of a gay teen are causing a divide in Rome.
It is supposed to be a time of peace and understanding – but not in the Italian capital.
A huge row has broken out in Rome over “gay” Christmas lights, reports Agence France-Presse.
A rainbow-flag theme has been selected for the traditional lights along the city’s main shopping street, the Via del Corso. The lights run for almost a mile long.

Now the company which put the lights up said the rainbow-colored theme would be dedicated to former South African president and anti-apartheid icon, Nelson Mandela.
The lights were chosen by the local council as a stand against homophobia, following the recent suicide of a gay teenager in the Eternal City.
“That is how we came up with the rainbow flag idea,” said councilor Imma Battaglia, who also heads up a gay rights campaign group.
But that decision has not gone down well with everyone, reports AFP.