The "couples" got out of a car at Zhengyang Gate and started taking photos. They were soon surrounded by a curious crowd.

Sam asked them in a loud voice, "What's your attitude toward same-sex marriage?"

Gay men Zhang Yi and Hai Bei celebrate their "wedding" on a famous Beijing shopping street just south of Tian'anmen Square.

One middle-aged man answered, "It's not normal. Men are not animals." And pointing at Zhang Yi and Hai Bei in disbelief he said, "They won't stay together." The woman with him said, "They are just friends; not a real family."

The man also asked, "Did your parents consent to your marriage?"

Zhang Yi answered, "I could persuade them."

"Persuade them? I don't believe they would be persuaded," the man retorted. As they left, the woman turned around and said vehemently, "I strongly oppose same-sex marriage. It is against the law of human development."

Such responses came as no surprise to Zhang Yi and Hai Bei who kept smiling throughout. Then the photographer asked Hai Bei to propose to Zhang Yi. As he knelt down to present a rose to his partner, someone shouted "Sing a song, Tian Mi Mi by Teresa Teng." Zhang Yi took Hai Bei in his arms and kissed him, shocking some of the crowd. One girl ran away mumbling "This is really unacceptable."

Xin Di and Xiao Han were also soon surrounded. But people's attitude towards them seemed more tolerant. They said later that most people had offered them their support and best wishes.

When asked "If we wanted to get married, would you allow it?" A woman standing nearby answered immediately, "Yes, I would."

Xin and Xiao persisted with their questions. "If your child was a gay or a lesbian, would you allow him or her to marry their same-sex lover?"