Free Speech

Please view the following article for the basis of this blog entry (WARNING-I didn’t go too far into this site, but it appears to be a “conservative” site. However, this is where the article was found by yahoo)

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=73042

Every year, at every pride parade around the America, the LGBT community gathered to

Captain Michael Marrone

express their pride, is treated to harassment homophobic religious groups.  This harassment comes in many forms, mainly though, it is over a loud speaker, picket signs, and flyers.  These proud people who are merely raising awareness of their existence and honoring those who have faced death and discrimination are told by Christians that they will burn in hell if they do not change their ways.  These LGBT people, many who serve the community as police, firefighters, clergyman, doctors, nurses, teachers, etc. are told that its not the love and compassion they show their fellowman, its not the protection they provide, or the good deeds they do that will determine if they can enter heaven, but it is who they bed with.

Elmira Mayor John Tonello spoke about democracy at the gay pride event.

Recently, a policeman at such a parade, told several protesting Christians that they would not be allowed to be hatemongers and remain at the event.  He told them this under the threat of arrest. They complied and chose to remain at the event even though homosexuality goes against their beliefs. Now, this is America, so of course the police are being sued.  A permanent injunction barring officers from doing this in the future is being requested.

Having attended several pride parades, I know how much of a damper it can be to have these religious groups in attendance; chanting and protesting.  At the same time, making out with your girlfriend/boyfriend/bff/frenemy in front of these groups is always a naughty thrill for those rebellious in nature.  Every time, I attend these parades, its a hassle; too much traffic to get there, too many people elbowing me, too much time in the sun.  I always ask myself why these people would go through so much trouble to “save” our souls when the very Bible they thump, states that it is them (the judgers and haters) who will have to answer before God.  But this blog isn’t about homosexuality and religion.

As an American, I’m only slight unnerved by this particular episode.  While I don’t think that people should be allowed to do what these Christians do every year, I don’t want to sacrifice my own freedom of speech to silence theirs.  It’s a fine line that anyone who has ever been the target of hate speech understands.   What do you do when the civil right that is causing you pain is the very one that you yourself hold most dear?  Once, during my college years, I met someone from Canada who was appalled after witnessing a woman in the campus’ free speech area who was damning everyone who passed her to hell for everything from piercings to smoking to short skirts to blue hair. The visitor could not believe that in this country a person could behave in this way and not be arrested for harassment at least.  We Americans agreed with her, but proudly and steadfastly defended that number right stating that we would always choose to endure, over a system that restricts what we can speak and print.  It is this right, we said, that we have lost sons and daughters for.

However, can freedom have boundaries?  When is it too much freedom?  What happens when your freedom,

Captain James Wandell

affects my ability to enjoy my freedom?  If we were to outlaw hate speech, where are the lines drawn?  This is a dilemma, but I don’t see it being a hard one to solve.  What those cops did was unconstitutional by any account, however they had the right idea.  I applaud them and am surprised it took so long for them even attempt this (apologies to all undocumented officers who have).

My question is what would have happened if the KKK showed up to an African-American pride parade and did this, or and Irish pride, Hispanic Pride, Jewish Pride, and other ethnic pride parades, festivals, and rallies?  Do those people get arrested for harassing people for celebrating their ethnicity?

I don’t know the answers to those questions, but I propose that the situation be treated similar to election day at the polls.  By Federal law, and not State, it should be a crime to perform acts with a hateful message within certain boundaries during pride festivals and celebrations.  This would allow people to enjoy the parade and those against it to exercise their constitutional rights.  For those of you who say this is still too much restriction, the government already does this, so its entirely plausible.

As I mentioned previously, my university campus had a free speech area, this was the only place on campus for legal protesting and speaking your mind (yeah, you could do it other places, but you weren’t as protected from arrest for harassment, public disturbance, and such).  It was in the center of campus and you could be sure that if you had a message it would get heard there.  I honestly don’t exactly  remember what answer we were given when myself and a group of friends asked about this.  I do remember something being said about it being a state institution and that as long as an area was provided, the first amendment was still being observed.

Secondly, first amendment restriction is done quite obviously when elections come and it is illegal to campaign within certain proximity to the polling place or even to place printed campaign materials.  If ever there is a time to observe the first amendment in full, it should be on the day we observe our most revered tradition.

So I put forth the challenge to you, read the article, form your own opinions.  How much are you willing to  sacrifice in order to silence others.  And before you say “well. i don’t speak or act hatefully anyway,” remember that you can never know what will offend someone else enough for them to try and make it illegal. (example)

Human Rights Campaign

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