Although my country, Italy, approved same-sex civil unions in 2016, it’s still behind other European countries in enacting measures against homotransphobia.
There is still no specific legislation safeguarding the equal treatment of LGBTQ+ people.With more then a hundred hate crimes against the LGBT+ community reported in Italy last year, this legislative gap is particularly worrying as it leaves those people more vulnerable to verbal and physical aggression.
This is probably going to change since a law against homotransphobia was approved by the chamber of deputies in November 2020, even if it isn’t effective yet, because the senate still has to pass it. This will be added to a pre-existing law that punishes racial, ethnic, national and religious discriminations . The purpose of this law is to prevent and constrict discrimination and violence for reasons related to gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and disabilities.
The punishments will include : up to 1 year and 6 months in prison or a fine of 6000 euros (7229.43 dollars) for inciting to commit or committing discriminatory acts, between 6 months and 4 years for inciting or committing violence, taking part or helping groups, organizations and movements that aim to discriminate and cause violence because of those reasons. It will include a “clause to safeguard ideas”. For example, it will be legal for people to have an opinion on whether or not same sex couples should be able to get married and adopt children.
The Episcopal Conference of Italy argued that the law is unnecessary, saying in a letter, “There are already adequate safeguards with which to prevent and repress any violent or persecutory behaviour.”
This law has been heavily criticized by Catholics and right leaning parties. At a recent press conference, senator Matteo salvini said : “No beating is more serious than another. At this point, let’s propose a nice bill against heterophobia, because there is no difference if it’s me getting slapped or somebody else.” In my opinion this doesn’t make much sense because heterophobia isn’t an issue, since people aren’t committing violent crimes against straight people because they are straight.
On her social media, senator Giorgia Meloni described the law as “introduce[ing] a new crime of opinion and to silence those who do not bend to the single thought”. I believe it’s not a threat to free speech, because when you live in a society with other people what you can say and what you can do has to be limited for the safety of the community. I believe freedom of speech is great but not if it leads to actions that endanger others.
Do you think this takes away any free speech rights?
Do you think people should be able to state their opinions even if it’s causing harm to others?
Do you think people should be held responsible if their speech causes harm to others?
Replies
Good topic choice and well done Chiara!
I think that people should socially be held responsible for their words, and that Italy needs to be more advanced to the left to actually reach a point where if someone says something outwardly offensive, they might not face legal trouble, but reprimandments socially and in the work place should occur.
Just like any other right a human has, they are allowed to use that right as long as it does not impede on the rights or dignity of others. People talking out against gay marriage is protected by the freedom of speech, however committing acts of violence (verbal or physical) impededes on the rights and dignaties of others, no matter the instance. I think Italy is moving towards the right direction and are doing the right thing.
That's what I think too, since you are living with other people you can't ust think about yourself and about what you want to do. Your freedom should be limited whenever is a threat to someone else's safety or well being.
I do not think it takes away the freedom of speeches right. It is just not allowing them to be violent. It is not very polite, so I believe it's best for people to keep those thoughts and opinions to themselves. If what they say truly harms someone then I believe they should have some consequences.
I agree with you, since someone's sexual orientation or gender identity doesn't affect your life in any way, why would you feel the need to be violent or disrespectful to them?
I think that this law does violate speech rights, assuming it bans homophobic acts in public and private. Even though these words are hateful and mean, the government should not be able to have control over what you say in private. However, I think that they should be able to punish those who use them in public. People who swear and incite violence in public can be arrested and fined, and homophobic comments should be no different.
I believe that this law is mainly against homophobic comments that cause discrimination and violence in public. I don't think the government would arrest you or fine you if you say that in your house for example.
I think that this law is redundant, because we already have laws against discrimination based on belief systems or sexual orientations. I also think that this law is a guise for something else. It is an unnecessary law that will most likely actually be used to attack anyone who doesn't agree with homosexuality. Obviously, the left can make anything look like it's inciting violence, like what they are trying to do to Trump, so I think they will use it to jail anyone who disagrees with their agenda.
I feel there is a time and place to speak espically when it comes to free speech and controversial topics such as abortion, LBGTQ+ , and other. So with that being said I also feel it shouldn't be taken away because then no one can speak out agaisnt acts they think are wrong so In conclusion I feel like we should most definialty have the freedom of speech and I also think we should just be respectful to other peoples opinions.
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