Initiated by a mixed group of parliamentarians, the amendment suggests that "Criticism or discussion of sexual behaviour, sexual practices, convictions and views, or attempts to persuade to change such behaviours, practices, convictions and views, is not to be regarded in itself as sneer, belittlement, discrimination or incitement to discriminate."
During a vote on Thursday, 47 MPs voted in favour to let the bill through, 15 voted against and 20 abstained.
The bill will now go to parliamentary committees and will be returned for a plenary vote in December.
Authors of the bill say the proposed amendments came in response to a proposal from public organizations. Article 170 of the Criminal Code envisages sanctions to individuals who stigmatize or incite discrimination against groups of people, including LGBT. In recent years, the article has been invoked in a number of convictions for homophobic statements.
