Should 'gay-bashing' be a hate crime?

Question

Johann Hari reckons not, on grounds of free speech; 'we have the right to insult them and they have the right to insult us' and on the grounds that 'it is already deeply illegal to attack gay people, or threaten violence against them because they are human beings'

What do you reckon?

Answer 1

There is a difference between a joke and a comment intended to be rude, insulting or hateful. When I go to a comedy club, I expect that the person on stage may make comments about other groups or groups that I belong to as well. This is not hate, it is entertainment. If you go to the same club and get offended, it is a joke and you should lighten up.

Now if I go to the court house to re-new my car tags and the person behind the counter repeats the same joke, this is getting close to the line. It is impolite, but not quite a hate crime.

Finally, if the group of people (or individual) are sending insult after insult at me trying to get me to respond or provoke anger in me, well then we have made it to criminal behavior.

First amendment does not protect all speech. It does not protect speech in all places. Nor does it protect speech in all situations.

I remember the golden rule. I treat people the way I would want them to treat me.

Answer 2

No, it is not. The Matthew Shepard Hate Crime invoice did not pass the congressional convention committee to reconcile the alterations between the Senate & residing house variations. it extremely is impossible to perceive a individual's faith, yet faith is roofed decrease than latest US hate crime regulations and few individuals are inquiring for it is removal.

Answer 3

I am fed up with political; correctness which is another word or phrase for dishonesty. I do not like or agree with the practises of Lesbians or homosexuals and I do not care who knows it. However I do not accept that these people should fear physical violence or insult at every possible moment. I do think that the positive personal attributes should be acknowledges in the same manner as straights. tolerance must never be taken as agreement

Answer 4

I don't see why anyone in this country has the right to NOT be offended. We can't have "free speech" in this country and then punish those who use that right in a way that offends us. Labeling such an offense a "hate crime" is merely censorship, which of course is another hot topic in the world of the typical bleeding hearted liberal.

Answer 5

It sounds like you might be referring to slurs and other verbal assaults. As much as these hurt, they are, and should remain, perfectly legal. The line is drawn in specific scenerios such as in the work place (which does not afford the same level of freedoms as does, say, the street corner) or such as physical assault.

I believe that punching a gay man because he is gay is far worse than simply punching a man in general. The reasoning behind this is that one is actually punching an entire cultural norm (that happens to exist as a highly persecuted minority), not simply one man.

As a gay man, every time I hear of a gay hate crime, a shiver goes down my spine. THAT is why gay-bashing (as narrowly defined above) is a hate-crime, of the same moral and legal urgency as race or ethnic hate crimes.

Answer 6

I believe we should have the right to express our opinions whatever they are.

However if we are expressing our opinions in such a way as to harm an individual directly... or in as a method of inciting hatred in others then that should be illegal.

The current situation is ridiculous people are finding prejudice in everything whether it be there or not. Lets see some common sense and simply ignore the idiots and focus on the real prejudice and intolerance in our society.

Homosexuals cause no harm and have existed since the dawn of man. They provided a vital component to the survival of the tribal group. If you find what they do offensive then just remember you can choose not to socialise with them if you wish.

Answer 7

Depends on your meaning of "Bashing".

If you mean bashing them with a baseball bat...then yes it is a hate crime. Absolutely!

But if you mean in the verbal sense, then have at it.

I have heard people right here on Y Answers call My President A Nazi, a War criminal and everything in between.
I don't like it, but they are entitled to be ignorant and crude and show their stupidity all they want.

Should politician bashing be a hate crime?

Nope, we are all entitled to our opinion. In my opinion gays are......you know what....it doesn't really matter what any of us think.

They are here, we are here, get used to it.

.

Answer 8

Yes it should be a hate crime.
What gives anyone the right to choose an others sexuality.
Why hurt someone just because they are different from you.
Live and let live,and allow people to be what they choose to be.
PS no i'm not gay b4 anyone asks.

Answer 9

Nothing should be considered a "hate crime." Most crimes of violence are committed because of hate. Why should bigotry or racism even be a factor in the severity of the crime? All violent crimes are wrong.

Answer 10

No, only physical crimes or physical intimidation (i.e., threat of violence) should be illegal.

Thoughts, opinions, cruel words, being politically incorrect and such should never be illegal.

All Hate Crimes are really "Thought" Crimes and on their way to being overturned someday by the Supreme Court on grounds of violating the First Amendment.