French State Bans Sexist and Anti-Gay Speech

I’d like to see the wording of the law, but this seems quite likely to be a very ominous development. As the New York Times describes a new French law, “Under the measure, anyone found provoking hatred or violence toward another person on the basis of sex or sexual orientation would risk a year in prison and a fine of $60,000.” Provoking violence is one thing (incitement to riot is a form of speech that is punishable, for example, as is an order from a crime boss to rub out another person; it’s not just the looter or the shooter who’s punished), but “provoking hatred” is a different matter. To the extent that the authorities punish you for merely having or expressing opinions, you’re not free.