Gay-themed traffic lights removed from Austrian city

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) activists attend a rally in front of parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, on Nov. 10, 2015. In Austria, a government official ordered the removal of gay-themed traffic lights in the city of Linz. AP FILE

VIENNA, Austria — 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.