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Hate speech codes typically justify this immunity from criticism by labeling it "provocative speech used to denigrate" members of the group.  

Hate speech codes typically justify this immunity from criticism by labeling it "provocative speech used to denigrate" members of the group.  

These protected groups can include gender, race, ethnicity, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, disability, and sometimes age. 

These protected groups can include gender, race, ethnicity, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, disability, and sometimes age.

While language to protect other victim classes has been proposed, the Democratically controlled [[110th Congress]] has rejected protections against the military, pregnant and battered women, or the homeless.

Hate speech, even when legally defined as such, is not a crime in the [[United States]] because speech is protected under the [[First Amendment]]. In some instances, however, hate speech may be entered as evidence that a separate crime, such as assault, should qualify as a [[hate crime]].

Hate speech, even when legally defined as such, is not a crime in the [[United States]] because speech is protected under the [[First Amendment]]. In some instances, however, hate speech may be entered as evidence that a separate crime, such as assault, should qualify as a [[hate crime]].

The primary purposed of hate speech codes and hate crimes legislation in the U.S. and Europe is to end all criticism of homosexuality or homosexual persons by classifying it as "[[Homophobia]]".

Many speech codes cover comments about homosexuals, making it difficult to criticize that lifestyle.

== Use of Term to Censor Religious Speech ==

== Use of Term to Censor Religious Speech ==

Similar hate speech laws exist in [[Canada]], in the form of a provision in the [[Canadian Human Rights Act]].  Luckily, attempts to use these provisions to silence religious freedom have been unsuccessful.  [[Muslim]] attempts to accuse [[Maclean's]] magazine of hate speech for merely criticizing the religion were rejected.<ref>http://ca.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idCATRE49993920081010</ref>

Similar hate speech laws exist in [[Canada]], in the form of a provision in the [[Canadian Human Rights Act]].  Luckily, attempts to use these provisions to silence religious freedom have been unsuccessful.  [[Muslim]] attempts to accuse [[Maclean's]] magazine of hate speech for merely criticizing the religion were rejected.<ref>http://ca.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idCATRE49993920081010</ref>

The [[gay rights]] movement currently attempts to equate racism and [[anti-Semitism]] with the condemnation of homosexual lifestyle. They claim that, like race, sexual orientation is 100% inherited and immutable but there are studies that question this claim.{{fact}}

The [[gay rights]] movement currently attempts to equate racism or [[anti-Semitism]] with the condemnation of homosexual lifestyle. They claim that, like race, sexual orientation is 100% inherited and immutable but there are studies that question this claim.{{fact}}

Nonetheless, the strategy of activists is to insist that condemnation of sin is a type of "prejudice" equivalent to a civil rights violation. They want people of conscience, who already condemn antisemitism and racism, to regard any critique of homosexuality as an expression of "hate".  

Nonetheless, the strategy of activists is to insist that condemnation of sin is a type of "prejudice" equivalent to a civil rights violation. They want people of conscience, who already condemn antisemitism and racism, to regard any critique of homosexuality as an expression of "hate".