Debate continues in Brazil over government proposals to criminalise homophobia. Under the proposals, Roman Catholic priests and other clergy might face two to five years in prison for preaching against homosexuality. A rector of a seminary who refuses admission to a homosexual student could face three to five years.

The Brazilian Senate was supposed to vote on the legislation last Thursday, but it declined to do so. Instead, it formed a working group which will organise public audiences to hear specialist representations on the subject. Some specialists are concerned that the legislation could imply a legal framework for religious persecution.

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil: Brazil's lower house of Congress has passed a bill making discrimination against homosexuals a crime punishable by at least a year in jail, the bill's sponsor said Friday.

The bill, passed Thursday, makes discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation a crime equal to discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender and national origin — which have carried prison sentences since 1989, said Congresswoman Iara Bernardi.

The bill now goes before the Senate, which has not yet set a date to vote.

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The bill makes denying a person employment, hotel rooms and car or property rentals because of their sexual orientation, as well as prohibiting displays of same-sex affection in public, punishable by up to five years in prison.

Any reference to sexual orientation deemed offensive could carry up to a three-year prison sentence and a fine.