Hate speech can work both ways

Andrew Bolt asked, what may happen to opponents of same sex marriage in this country? One could look at other countries for the answer. According to some commentators In Canada, where marriage laws were reformed 11 years ago, freedoms of speech, press, religion and association have all been affected. Anyone who writes or says something that could be deemed as 'homophobic' or questioning same sex marriage, could risk prosecution, or lose their job. People who express their opinion that marriage is between a man and a woman, or that children have the right to be brought up by their biological parents, could be accused of discrimination. In America, businesses like photographers, bakeries, and hotels, have been singled out for boycotts, and then faced threats of prosecution under anti discrimination laws, because their owners refused service to same sex couples on the grounds that they believed in man/ woman marriage. In the UK, owners of a Bed and Breakfast were sued for refusing to let a same sex couple stay in a double room. This couple was close to retirement age, but they were then left with nothing after having to sell their home, and their business to pay their legal bills. Once marriage laws are changed, it is pertinent to wonder how long it will be before similar things happen here.