In the Netherlands, hundreds of activists have walked out of a Sunday Mass in protest at the Roman Catholic policy of denying gay people communion. The dispute began during Dutch carnival celebrations earlier in February when the man chosen to be carnival prince in nearby Reusel was refused communion because of his open homosexuality. The refusal offended many in the local community. The Netherlands was the first country to introduce gay marriage in 2001. Most Dutch people support gay rights but the Roman Catholic Church teaches that homosexual activity is sinful. Several hundred demonstrators dressed in pink wigs and clothes left the church in protest.