prohibited from creating discriminatory laws, according to the national Constitution. While the Constitution prohibits discrimination on a variety of characteristics, such as "origin, race, sex, colour [and] age", sexual orientation is not explicitly mentioned. The Constitution does forbid "any other forms of discrimination". Traditional images of Latin America "machismo" and the resulting homophobia are changing now that individual rights, including one's right in accordance with one's sexual orientation, enjoy the protection of the law. Brazil adopted a liberal Constitution in 1988, and continues to provide more protections for all of its citizens. Shortly after electing Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as Brazil's president, various states took serious measures ensuring that no one would be discriminated against because of their sexual orientation. As of 2003, discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation was prohibited in 73 municipal statutes. Provisions were later enacted in the laws and regulations of the states of Acre (2017), Alagoas (2001/13), Amapá (2009), Amazonas (2006), Bahia (2007/14), the Brazilian Federal District (1997/17), Ceará (2009/14), Espírito Santo (2012/16), Goiás (2008), Mato Grosso (1989/17), Mato Grosso do Sul (2005), Maranhão (2006), Minas Gerais (2002), Pará (2007), Paraíba (2003/17), Paraná (2013), Pernambuco (2012/13), Piauí (2004/17), Rio de Janeiro (2000/10), Rio Grande do Norte (2007), Rio Grande do Sul (2002/16), Rondônia (2018), Roraima (2013), Santa Catarina (2002), São Paulo (2001), Sergipe (1989), and Tocantins (2013). These policies vary by state. Some states (Alagoas, Bahia, the Brazilian Federal District, Ceará, Espírito Santo, Mato Grosso, Pará, Santa Catarina, and Sergipe) list sexual orientation among the non-discrimination grounds in their state constitutions. Several states have also established public taskforces and commissions to investigate reports of discrimination. Legal prohibitions of discrimination against transgender people varies from state to state. Many states enacted protections for gender identity at the same time as for sexual orientation, while others did so some years later. As of 2019, Amapá, Minas Gerais, Pará, Santa Catarina and Sergipe do not address discrimination against transgender people. On November 30, 2000, the City Council of Niterói, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, passed an ordinance prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation in public places and institutions as well as in businesses. Many Brazilian cities and states have anti-discriminatory legislation that explicitly includes sexual orientation. Some of them provide specific sanctions and penalties for those who engage in discrimination. In 2007, the Ministry of Labour and Employment issued Executive Order (Portaria) No. 41/2007,