Discussion: Down with Molestia (Free Speech)

I’ve seen many responses to the “free speech” argument for “Ask Princess Molestia” to the tune of, “It trivializes rape and harms rape victims.” I get that. It’s offensive and harmful.

However, that has no bearing on free speech. Free speech protects even offensive speech, as long as it does not directly incite violence. Free speech means people have the right to be rude, bigoted, racist, sexist, and even rape-apologetic.

The next question is: Should they be? Of course not! But this is a different matter altogether.

To illustrate this distinction, take a look at the Westboro Baptist Church. You might have heard of it. It’s a church in Kansas, United States that regularly protests against gay people with the slogan “God hates fags” and even goes so far as to say that terrorist attacks on the United States (including 9/11!) are God’s punishment for tolerating homosexuals.

It’s clear that WBC’s speech is hateful and bigoted. It has the potential to harm victims of anti-LGBT violence. But as much as I disagree with WBC and its activities, I would not try to stop them since they are protected by free speech.

“I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” —S.G. Tallentyre, The Friends of Voltaire, illustrating Voltaire’s view on free speech