Gay football fans ask for segregated seating at Euro 2012

A group of gay Polish football fans has called on the organisers of the 2012 European Championship to set aside separate seating in the stands for gay men and lesbians to protect them from possible aggression.

But other gay rights activists criticised the proposal, saying separate seating would only single gay fans out and put them at even greater risk.

Teczowa Trybuna 2012, or Rainbow Stand 2012, calls itself the first-ever gay fan club for Poland's national team. It says on its website that its members fear aggression from other fans and want to feel safe during the tournament in Poland and neighboring Ukraine.

One match venue, the city of Gdansk, rejected the group's call - saying it would only further stigmatize gays.