Gay-themed traffic lights removed from Austrian city of Linz

Three pedestrian traffic lights meant to support gay rights have been removed in the Austrian city of Linz by order of a right-wing politician and replaced by ordinary signals.

The lights showed couples — two women, two men and a mixed pair. They were mounted last year in emulation of Vienna, where the municipal government put up the lights at 47 crossings.

State broadcaster ORF cited Linz councilman Markus Hein of the right-wing and gay-skeptic Freedom Party as saying he ordered the switch because crossing lights should have no other purpose than regulating traffic. The replacements now show the stick man normally used in Austria.

Hein, in charge of traffic issues in Austria's third-largest city, took office after municipal elections in September.

The gay-themed traffic lights campaign was intended to present Vienna as an open-minded city and also to improve traffic safety as the unusual symbols attract the attention of drivers and pedestrians, a spokeswoman for Vienna's city lighting department said.

Austria will also host the annual Eurovision Song Contest, which is a fixture on the international gay calendar, in its capital city Vienna this year.

Last year, bearded transvestite Conchita Wurst won the contest for Austria with the song "Rise like a Phoenix" and immediately became a global gay icon.

About 40 countries are taking part in the 2015 Eurovision contest and the final will be held on May 23.