NEW YORK -- Lesbian fans of the New York Liberty accused the WNBA team's management of ignoring their presence at Madison Square Garden and protested by kissing during Friday night's game.

The kissing, during breaks of a televised game against the Miami Sol, was organized by "Lesbians for Liberty,'' a group which complained that the team catered to other groups with events to mark Father's Day and Black History Month.

In an e-mail encouraging the display, the lesbian group asked, "Are you tired of the WNBA and the New York Liberty denying that lesbians are packing Madison Square Garden week after week for women's basketball games?''

Other protesters marked the team's "Banner Night'' promotion by holding up "Lesbians for Liberty'' signs.

The team issued a statement saying its games "bring together all facets of the city, including the gay and lesbian community.''