THE Herald fielded about 30 calls this week from readers angry about last week’s front page photo of two men kissing.

Students Alexis Vassiley and Shane Bowra—who both happen to be heterosexual—had posed for the photo to illustrate their opposition to Notre Dame University banning a social club that supported equal marriage.

Twenty readers said they no longer wanted the paper delivered. Comments included the terms “vile, pornographic, disgusting, offensive”, and “inappropriate for children”.

Fremantle-based Greens MLC Lynn MacLaren was “disappointed” when told of the strong reaction to the photo.

“As with any irrational fear, homophobia can lead to extreme reactions,” she says. “Countering homophobia is one of the reasons I believe we should pass marriage equality laws sooner rather than later.”