Sex/Gender Outsiders, Hate Speech, and Freedom of Expression

The author examines the conflicts inherent in restricting hate speech - controversial speech codes - and freedom of expression as it affects the lives and rights of gay men and women. Following an overview she explores how the law has evolved on these issues and reviews the Supreme Court's rulings. Zingo examines the conflicts inherent in restricting hate speech—the controversial speech codes—and freedom of expression as it affects the lives and rights of gay men and lesbians. While much has been written on speech code restrictions having to do with race and gender, both in the press and academic literature, few scholars or serious writers before Zingo have focused on the necessity and/or sagacity of instituting legal sanctions on hate speech based on sexual orientation/preference. After providing an overview of the social and legal condition of outsiders, Zingo examines how the law has evolved on the issues of free speech, equality jurisprudence, and the hate speech controversy. She then analyzes these issues in the context of sexual identity, equality, and non-discrimination and concludes with a review of the Supreme Court's rulings on hate speech regulation. Throughout she discusses the extent to which such speech codes adequately protect lesbians and gay men in American society. A major study for students and scholars of Constitutional Law and policymakers and others concerned with gay and lesbian issues and free speech.