Share
Commentary

Did Norway Just Criminalize 'Misgendering' a Trans Person, Even in Private Homes?

Share

Norway’s parliament introduced changes to the “hate speech” section of its penal code in November, adding protections for transgender individuals.

The Nov. 24 legislation is incredibly troublesome, given the ill-defined nature of “hate speech,” especially when it applies to transgenderism.

Even more troubling, the guidelines apply to citizens both in public and in private.

This means citizens can be reprimanded for saying the “wrong” thing even if it happens within their own homes.

According to Reuters, the amendment outlaws discrimination based on “gender identity or gender expression.”

Trending:
Federal Judge Has Bad News for Hunter Biden, Says There's Zero Evidence His Charges Are Politically Motivated

Hate speech, according to Norway’s penal code, is defined as “discriminatory or hateful” statements and “threatening or insulting a person or promoting hate of, persecution of or contempt for another person” based on their skin color, religion, sexual orientation and more.

Many leftist activists claim that “misgendering,” or referring to a transgender person by their biological sex, is an egregious insult.

“Deadnaming,” the practice of referring to a transgender person by their birth name without their consent instead of the name they use after transitioning, is another practice considered by some to be insulting “hate speech.”

If the code is interpreted in this way, any person who insults a transgender person by misgendering or deadnaming them in public could be fined or face a maximum of three years in prison in Norway.

Should 'misgendering' be considered hate speech?

Anyone violating the hate speech code in private could face a fine or up to one year in jail, according to Reuters.

If nothing else, this story should serve as a powerful reminder to Americans.

This is why our First Amendment protections are so valuable.

Many Democratic politicians in the United States would likely support such a law in our country, given how they complain about “hate speech” and show unwavering support for what they believe to be “transgender rights.”

It may be only a matter of time before such a law is actually passed in this country.

Related:
Outrage: Women's Soccer Team with 5 Trans Players Goes Undefeated, Showing Massive 'Difference in Ability'

The lawmakers who passed this legislation in Norway are real people, not dystopian movie villains. It’s nothing short of naive to assume that American lawmakers would never attempt to pursue similarly heinous laws in America.

Truth and Accuracy

Submit a Correction →



We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.

Tags:
, , ,
Share
Michael wrote for a number of entertainment news outlets before joining The Western Journal in 2020 as a staff reporter. He now manages the writing and reporting teams, overseeing the production of commentary, news and original reporting content.
Michael Austin graduated from Iowa State University in 2019. During his time in college, Michael volunteered as a social media influencer for both PragerU and Live Action. After graduation, he went on to work as a freelance journalist for various entertainment news sites before joining The Western Journal in 2020 as a staff reporter.

Since then, Michael has been promoted to the role of Manager of Writing and Reporting. His responsibilities now include managing and directing the production of commentary, news and original reporting content.
Birthplace
Ames, Iowa
Nationality
American
Education
Iowa State University
Topics of Expertise
Culture, Faith, Politics, Education, Entertainment




Conversation