Brazil’s Supreme Court votes to protect LGBTQ community against discrimination
Attacks against the LGBTQ community have risen since the election of President Jair Bolsonaro
By Steve Brown
Words: Steve Brown
Brazil’s Supreme Court votes to protect the LGBTQ community following spike in reported homophobic hate crimes.
Following the election of far-right, homophobic Jair Bolsonaro, attacks on the LGBTQ community in Brazil have increased dramatically.
But now, six out of the 11 judges have voted to consider discrimination against the LGBTQ community as equivalent to racism.
The decision will give the community real protection against homophobic attacks and abuse, activists in Brazil say.
Supreme Court Vice-President Luiz Fux said: “Homophobic crimes are as alarming as physical violence.”
The decision by the court now means offences are to be punished under the country’s racism law until Congress approves specific legislation to protect LGBTQ people, the BBC reports.
The remaining judges will vote in a session in June.