(CBN News) Switzerland has voted to make it illegal to be homophobic or discriminate against anyone in the LGBTQ community. The National Council, which is the lower house in Switzerland’s legislature, voted 118 – 60 in favor of a law that says anyone guilty of homophobia will face heavy fines or up to three years in prison. “I tabled the motion after speaking to friends of mine who have personally been victims of verbal and physical homophobic violence,” Mathias Reynard, a member of the Swiss Socialist Party told ShortList.

Reynard spearheaded the new law and called it a “great success for human rights.” “Homophobia is not an opinion. It’s a crime. One in five homosexuals attempted suicide, half before the age of 20. This victory sends a strong signal. I have already received hundreds of reactions.” The law criminalizes “physical violence” and “verbal violence” against LGBT people. Reynard never makes clear what “verbal violence” actually means, but says it’s a crime punishable by law. READ MORE

 


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