Updated

As Brazil prepares for its annual spring carnival festivities, there is disagreement over a proposal that places toilets in samba schools that are designated for exclusive use by gay and transvestite participants.

One of the top Rio de Janeiro samba schools preparing for the March 4-9 event: Unidos de Tujuca, has protesters reminiscent of the forced separation between whites and blacks, MyFoxNY reports.

"They are carnival apartheid!" said Claudio Nascimento, the head of Brazil’s anti-homophobia program.

But supporters of the segregated toilets argue that they provide a safe area for their users.

"I don't see any problem," said Iran Araujo, Rio's carnival director who also heads cultural programs for the Independent League of Samba Schools.

Click here to read more on this story from MyFoxNY.