Proposed Panamanian Law: $5,000 Fine for Disrespectful Comments towards Homosexuals

From LifeSiteNews: 

Those who dare to criticize homosexuals in Panama could soon face a large fine.

A bill is advancing silently through the Panamanian legislature that would fine perpetrators between $500 and $5000 dollars for making fun of or speaking "disrespectfully" of a homosexual, according to the Panamanian newspaper Critica.

The law in question seeks to take "preventative measures" against "discrimination for reason of sexual orientation or gender identity" according to the newspaper.

Critica reports that the bill has already passed out of the Government Committee of the national congress and "everything seems to indicate that the initiative will soon be converted into a law of the Republic."