homophobia

[Vteenboy 1]

Who else agrees that homophobia should be considered a crime

[townofsalem59]

Nah.

[Vteenboy 1]

Why so
Pray do tel

[Seth.]

You mean make how someone feels about something a crime? Where does one stop at making up thought crimes? People hate other people for all kinds of things. It's how they act on that hate that matters. A crime isn't the thought or feeling, a crime is something someone does.

[PinkFloyd]

People should believe whatever they want without having to worry about it being against the law.

Freedom of expression is important.

[Jasperf]

There are all ready to many laws stopping people's personal opinions, discrimination should be a crime, but homophobia... Then it will be gymnophobia ect

[Jess]

Homophobia is horrible, but it shouldn't be a crime just for believing what they believe (as horrible as it is)

[Vteenboy 1]

Its not so much homophobia that gets me its the way people act about it
Its ok to not like something but theres no need for all this "hey your a fucking fag"shit! If I did that to a jew or a black berson im nicked for racism! The only time its considered sereous is when someone pysically gets hurt. Im sick of the crap I put up with at school all because I like the same sex, and yet fuck all being done about it!!

[Nomad_X]

There are already Hate crimes laws in many jurisdictions.

[Vteenboy 1]

Many but not all

[Lost in the Echo]

People should believe whatever they want without having to worry about it being against the law.

Freedom of expression is important.

This. ^

Some people feel different about certain things than others do, they shouldn't be punished for their beliefs.

If someones keeps their homophobia to themselves, that's fine. But, if someone is insulting or being violent towards people that are gay, then they should be punished. There's already a hate crime law for that I believe.

[Moondust]

Uh, it's not a "crime", but a state of mind. I suppose it should be left up to everybody's opinion, but if a gay person is being bullied, then it's going too far with the opinion.

[Vteenboy 1]

Well if thats the case then theres 42 people I now by heart who should be getting nicked

[Seth.]

Bullying for any reason is harassment and harassment is a crime.

[FrostWraith]

When you make thought a crime, you're begging for government oppression.

[Origami]

You mean make how someone feels about something a crime? Where does one stop at making up thought crimes? People hate other people for all kinds of things. It's how they act on that hate that matters. A crime isn't the thought or feeling, a crime is something someone does.

This pretty much sums everything up.

[thatcountrykid]

Who else agrees that homophobia should be considered a crime

No! You cant lock evergbody up because they dont agree with gays. Thats like trying to make everyone agree to it. Same with racism. Its a state of mind that someone can if they choose. It may offend you but homosexuality may offend or go against their beliefs.

[Sugaree]

Who else agrees that homophobia should be considered a crime

How about no?

Sure, homophobia is despicable. But a crime...? You do realize that that is suppression of free speech, which is protected by the Constitution, correct? Someone said it earlier in the thread, but you can't make a thought or feeling a crime. That's a pretty Orwellian train of thought.

[Walter Powers]

No, not unless it's in your face hate speech. Freedom of expression.

[Vteenboy 1]

So hows that not the case with racism
You are allowed to call someone a "fucking fag" but not call a black berson nigger or a chinese person chincky. Infact it shoulld be racism! The jews are a race, the cristians, the chinese, the americans and even people of skin colur. The gays are a race! Part of the human race!

And as for free speech its not real! You cant just say fuck all you want to say, even if you did in most areas youd be ether kicked out or grabbed by the police!
Whens the last time you went to the pollice station and told the commissioner everything you hate about him because hes black, jewish christian... whatever. Free speech goes to the extent of say what you like as long as it isnt in an aggresive or offensive mannor.
Look what im really trying to say is
Freedom of speech may be legally curtailed in some religious legal systems and in secular jurisdictions where it is found to cause religious offense, such as the British Racial and Religious Hatred Act 2006.
The act speaks for itself

[britishboy]

Who else agrees that homophobia should be considered a crime

I dont, freedom of speech but if you harm them it obviously should be.

AND I USED TO HAVE THAT AVATAR!!:D

[Gigablue]

Unfortunately, you are allowed to hate whoever you want. We can't really have the government policing people's thoughts. It would just start us down a slippery slope, which could end with drastically reduced freedoms. However, I do think expressing homophobia should, in many cases, be a crime. It could often fall under the category of hate speech, especially if it incites people to violence, or under the category of harassment. We can punish the action people take because of homophobia, but no the homophobia itself.

[Walter Powers]

I dont, freedom of speech but if you harm them it obviously should be.

AND I USED TO HAVE THAT AVATAR!!:D

Haha when I first saw this thread I was like....woah, your gay now? Then I realized it wasn't you haha. So confusing.

[britishboy]

Haha when I first saw this thread I was like....woah, your gay now? Then I realized it wasn't you haha. So confusing.

haha confused me too! I was like, I dont remember writing that? and then I noticed the different name:D

[Ruairi]

I think homophobia is wrong but there's some people out there that I don't think can stop being homophobic, its just the way they are

[chrisf55]

I have to disagree with it being a crime, even though it''s no different than racism being a crime.

[Trace]

As much as I hate being bullied and tortured it does give up free rights. Now if we were talking about the degree that Westboro Baptist goes to.. That's just fucking ridiculous. Gut-wrenching. Disgusting. Should be.

[CharlieHorse]

It will always be inhumane to outlaw free thought. As much as I hate homophobics, it can't be done.

[Yugen]

Homophobia is terrible. It hurts a lot of innocent people. But with that being said, you can't control someone else's feelings.

[veryfatgirl]

[QUOTE=Lost in the Echo;2413015]This. ^
, if someone is insulting or being violent towards people that are gay, then they should be punished.

No. Being violent is one thing - it harms, and it should be punished. Insulting someone is quite different. It does no harm. We have the right to insult people and offend them. Without this right, freedom of expression would disappear.

[Twilly F. Sniper]

It will always be inhumane to outlaw free thought. As much as I hate homophobics, it can't be done.

That is true...

Homophobia may be hateful, but you can't be convicted of crime just because of that. When they murder, etc. then yes in that sense.

[Saint of Sinners]

It's terrible, but as long as they don't actually hurt anyone, it still isn't a crime.

[Vince]

Homophobia is practically already socially unacceptable in this day and age, there's really no need to bring legality into the issue. Freedom of speech is upheld, for the most part, and this would be an act against freedom of speech. So long as it doesn't become violent or discriminatory (as in, not allowing a homosexual person have a job, despite having the correct qualifications), then they should not be punished.

[clrip314]

Uh, it's not a "crime", but a state of mind. I suppose it should be left up to everybody's opinion, but if a gay person is being bullied, then it's going too far with the opinion.............. I agree with you.

[project_icarus]

You cannot outlaw a belief, state of mind, et cetera. People have their right to free speech and whatnot and can believe whatever the fuck that they so please. You cannot outlaw homophobia, but what you can do is make sure that the issues caused as a result of homophobia (hate). Homophobia will always exist to some level.

Expressing hatred in a manner that would be offensive, as well as discriminating against those who fit in to a certain group, should not be tolerated on any level.

It will always be inhumane to outlaw free thought. As much as I hate homophobics, it can't be done.

This is the simplest form for what I have to say.

[kylem1229]

Freedom of speech. (I would copy a quote from the Consitution....but dont feel like it). Americans have the right to say what they want and hate who they wan't. If they didn't, there would be lots of revolts and people moving to other countries to get their freedom.

[Derryck]

I don't think it should be a crime. But here'e my idea: crimes against homosexuals by homophobic people get harsher consequences. :D

[britishboy]

homophobia shouldnt be illegal, people are entitled to express opinions