Philosopher Roger Scruton has criticised legislation based on the notion of "stirring up hatred." In a BBC article, he says that the government should not "criminalise opinions that give offence but protect those who express them", saying that free speech is essential to tackling tensions in society. "The orthodox liberal view is that homosexuality is innate and guiltless... Deviate in the smallest matter from the orthodoxy, and you will be accused of homophobia", he notes.
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A Point of View: Why we should defend the right to be offensive (BBC)