This photographer had his gay romance exhibition vandalised and stolen

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a white background.

A French photographer has spoken about having his romantic photographs including same-sex couples vandalised and stolen.

Olivier Ciappa has had his images, which were displayed in a Toulouse park, spray painted and stolen.

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The series, titled ‘Les Couples de la Republique’, includes ‘non-traditional’ families in loving poses.

The photos, as well as gay, lesbian and bisexual couples also includes single parents, and disabled parents with their children.

A second series of photographs also included photos of Eva Longoria and Melanie Laurent posing as a same-sex couple.

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“It was a group of six youths, 18 or 20-years-old,” an eyewitness told newspaper Le Figaro. “They claimed to be Catholics and said they were ‘against promoting this way of life.’”

The photos were spraypainted with the French word “honte” meaning “shame”.

After the photos were spraypainted, they were reprinted, but were later torn down again.

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“The first time, they wanted to show their displeasure,” Ciappa wrote in a Facebook post.

“The second time, they have totally decided to erase the expo so that no one in Toulouse can see it.”

Check out some of the photos below:

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