After Gay Pride Parade, Congressman Wants "Christianophobia" to Become a Heinous Crime

06/11/2015 - 09h39

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FROM SÃO PAULO

After the controversy involving an act of a simulation of a crucifixion during the gay pride parade in São Paulo, held last Sunday, June 7th, Mr Rogério Rosso, leader of the Social Democratic Party in the Chamber of Deputies, introduced a bill proposing to make a heinous crime what he calls "Christianophobia".

The proposal presented on Monday, June 8th, also tries to raise the penalties for cases of disrespect to, hindrance of or disturbance to religious services.

The punishment today is between one month to one year imprisonment, or a fine. Nonetheless, with the passing of the bill it can change from four to eight years in prison and a fine.

The deputy states that the reasoning behind the project aims to protect objects of belief and religious worship "because what has been happening in recent years in demonstrations, mainly by LGBTs, is what we call 'Christianophobia': the practice of lewd and degrading acts to externalize prejudice against Catholics and Evangelicals."

"We did not invent a new criminal offense. We have raised the punishment and put the Chamber to discuss this as a heinous crime," said the deputy, who said he had already achieved the necessary number of signatures to start a discussion of the project.

The simulation of the crucifixion that took place at the gay pride parade was staged by the transsexual actress Viviany Beleboni, 26, who claimed she received threats after the event.

"They said terrible things: that I must die, be crucified for real, or have cancer. I got up early with an anonymous call saying that I was going to die."

Translated by CRISTIANE COSTA LIMA

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