Members of El Paso's same-sex community and their supporters gathered in front of a Chico's Tacos location Thursday night to protest the restaurant chain's handling of an incident involving a group of gay men.

People stood by the side of the road holding signs and urged passing drivers to honk their horns in a show of support, which many drivers did.

The protest stems from a recent incident in which a group of five gay men said security guards asked them to leave the restaurant when two of the group members shared a kiss.

The men said the security guards used slurs and epithets when telling the men to get out.

The men called El Paso police, but they said the responding officer told them restaurant management had the right to refuse service to anyone. They said the police officer further told them that they would be cited for homosexual conduct if they did not leave restaurant grounds.

Organizers of Thursday night's protest said they have the backing of El Paso City Council members who agree with them that police could have handled the matter better.

El Paso Police Chief Greg Allen released a statement in which he said the responding officer in the case misquoted the law. He went on to say that he wants all officers to be more courteous and professional in their dealings with the public.