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Question Details: Is it okay to freely speak against homosexuality in public? Do I need to back up my opinion with facts; or is the fact that it is my honest belief enough?
Filed under Human Rights and Discrimination | 2080 View(s)
Community Law Wellington & Hutt Valley
In general, it is legal to have an opinion and express it in public. Freedom of expression is a basic human right. This means you can have the right to state your opinion freely. However, you should use your common sense about whether it is an appropriate time and place to give your opinion.
It is not compulsory to back up your opinion with facts. If you do choose to refer to facts, make sure that they are accurate. Untrue statements about a person can be defamation.
You may also want to consider where you state your opinions (for example, through social media or in a public forum) and who might repeat them. You should consider any policies your workplace has before you provide your opinion through work emails or in a way that might affect your employment. If you work for the government, for example, it is normal that you will have to remain neutral about political matters in public. What you think is a simple opinion may in fact affect your job.
Check out these links about this right:
www.hrc.co.nz
www.communitylaw.org.nz
Answered 25 Oct 2012. The IMPORTANT NOTICE below is part of this answer.
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