French Anti-Gay Marriage Groups Send Mixed Messages With Bizarre Protests

Theatrical homoerotic performance or anti-gay marriage protest? Hard to tell.

They call themselves Les Hommen, a French action group against marriage equality.

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The slogans on their bodies, written in French and English, declare "No gay marriage", "Save kids" and "Demo [democracy] dead".

The manner in which they protest (stripping down, wearing masks, and even gagging themselves) has caught people's attention.

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According to Gay Star News, "It appears to be a parody of Femen, topless feminist protestors who rallied against Russian President Vladimir Putin."

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It's difficult not to be distracted by the colorful pants, lack of shirts, and theatrical masks.

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Mixed messages much?

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Nope, this is not an invitation to a swanky masked-ball soirée.

Queerty couldn't resist mixing Bruce Weber's photography style from Abercrombie and Fitch Ads with some of the protest images:

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"Les Hommen and Fitch"

A fake Tumblr was created to turn the colorful protests against themselves, claiming the group does in fact stand for equal rights.

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The caption for this photo reads, "Pants of all colors and masks to expose our opponents and their homophobia that dare not speak its name."

Apparently this mixed-signals display isn't so uncommon in France.

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Correct, this is not a picture from Pride.

Here another protest group stages a bizarre flash mob, complete with spandex and interpretive dance:

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Behind this artistic performance is the pro-life organization, Alliance Vita. Flash mobs are meant to spread joy, not hate!

A particularly theatrical Les Hommen protest:

Fabulous?

Robert Pratta / Reuters

France is set to become the latest nation to legalize same-sex marriage today, despite vocal opposition from conservatives, when legislation goes before lawmakers in the lower house for a final vote.