Mamyalynne - “... Well to me misogyny is a frame of mind and only becomes a crime when someone acts on it - which would surely be covered by existing laws already...”
That is my understanding too. Well said.
It is absurd to suggest that 'being a misogynist' could be categorised as a crime. It is also quite a frightening prospect; the quintessential Orwellian 'thought crime'.
There are many misogynists out there. I have met a few in my time. I don't agree with them and I would vigorously argue that they are wrong. I would also defend their right to hold such views. But their belief that women are inherently inferior to men should never be criminally actionable unless they themselves (or by proxy) perform some act based upon their belief. At which point existing laws should kick in and they can be punished accordingly.
I find it deeply troubling when certain groups talk about making opinions a crime. In fact, it's quite terrifying when you think about it. It has become almost a cliché to reference George Orwell's book, Nineteen Eighty-Four, when discussing such matters. It shouldn't be. The political world described in Orwell's book is a stark warning. It is one that is being slowly but surely emulated as we in the 'west' collectively march towards totalitarianism.