(Al Jazeera) — A majority in Brazil’s Supreme Court has voted to make homosexual and transgender discrimination a crime, like racism, a decision coming amid fears the country’s far-right president will roll back LGBT social gains.

Six of the Supreme Federal Tribunal’s 11 judges have voted in favor of the measure. The five other judges will vote in a court session on June 5, but the result will not be modified. The measure will take effect after all the justices have voted.

Racism was declared a crime in Brazil in 1989 with prison sentences of up to five years. The court’s judges ruled that “homophobia” should be framed within the racism law until the country’s Congress approves legislation specifically dealing with LGBT discrimination.

Brazil’s Senate is dealing with a bill to criminalize discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender with sentences of up to five years.

Continue reading this story >>

Become a Christian News Network Supporter...

Dear Reader, has ChristianNews.net been of benefit and a blessing to you? For many years now, the Lord has seen fit to use this small news outlet as a strong influential resource in keeping Christians informed on current events from a Biblical worldview. With much compromise and many falsehoods in modern-day Christianity, we strive to bring you the news by keeping Christ and His word in focus. If you have benefited from our news coverage, please prayerfully consider becoming a Christian News supporter by clicking here to make a one-time or monthly donation to help keep the truth of God's word widely and freely published and distributed. May Christ continue to be exalted through this work!