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Printer-Friendly ModeColumnist offends those in gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender community
submitted by Lizzy
December 10, 2007 —
In a recent article titled, "Fear of hate crimes has gone too far", the author of the article used a couple of lines that some in the gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, and transgender community found to be quite offensive.
While the article as a whole has a good intent on showing people that we shouldn't give in to the fear of hate related symbols because that is exactly what whoever put up those hate symbols would want, it becomes offensive when the author states, "my personal favorite, different gender identifications. Best not threaten any more drag-queens. Whether we like it or not (I do), the First Amendment protects offensive behavior and materials."
One, many people with different gender identifications suffer from hate crimes and they deserve the same protection that every other American receives, weather the hate comes from words, or from violence, or even from discrimination in the work place and elsewhere you can never assume that any one person is excluded from hate crimes, thus you cannot exclude anyone from the protection given by the government against hate crimes.
Two, the first amendment states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
As you can plainly see the first amendment protects all religions to exercise freely, it allows for every American the right to free speech, free press, and allows for us to assemble peacefully to petition the government. Now while this amendment allows for everyone to have the right to free speech, and free press to show what they like on the news, it in no way seems to allow for violent acts, or behavior to be committed against anyone of different race, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
Lastly there are times for certain things to be said and times for certain things not to be said many children learn this from a young age. Even though we are given the right to free speech, all of our rights including that one come with a certain amount of responsibility. If we do not act responsibly with the rights that we have, how can you expect for us to be allowed to keep them. If we continually show irresponsibility in our words and in our actions eventually we may have those rights, in which our fore fathers spilt there blood for no more.
Lizzy student