Brazilian Neighbors Are Ordered to Pay US$4,500 For Calling a Homosexual “Fag”
A
Brazilian court in Acre has condemned three neighbors for insult against a
homosexual who walked in their street. Among the offensive words, the
homosexual was called “fag.” The court in Rio Branco, Acre’s capital city,
ordered the three neighbors to pay US$1,500 each, as reported by Globo, the
main news channel in Brazil. The court decision was issued June 14.
People in Acre have a very hard time to pay to pay US$1,500. Acre
is one of the poorest states in Brazil with 0,59% of the national GDP. Even
though progress and modern infrastructure have not reached Acre, hate crimes
laws have already reached it.
By the Brazilian system, states can
apply only fines when there is no federal law on an alleged crime. When there
is a federal law, states can apply fines and prison.
As a conservative Brazilian and
especially as an evangelical Christian, I oppose name-calling. But considering
that homosexual activists see the Bible passages condemning their immoral
sexual practices as “offensive,” what would hinder them from suing ministers,
priests and other Christians for merely quoting such passages?
Brazilian
culture, which is profoundly syncretic Catholic, is fond of foul language. Everybody
in Brazil, without exception, is a victim of name-calling. Even homosexuals
call other homosexuals “fags.” In fact, homosexuals are one of the most
foul-mouthed groups in Brazil.
Portuguese
version of this article: Vizinhos
são obrigados a pagar R$ 15 mil por chamarem homossexual de “veado”
Recommended Reading:
Recommended
Reading on Foul Language:
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