from reports in the media, "Anti-gay comments made by Israel Folau continued to engulf Australian rugby on Thursday with players in New Zealand criticising the Wallabies back, while pundits castigated the country's governing body for its handling of the situation.
Folau, an Evangelical Christian, created a firestorm of controversy in Australia and rugby circles after he wrote on his Instagram page that gay people would be condemned to "hell" if they failed to "repent".

Im suprised everyone is so shocked that a meathead thugby player is a bigot. Its not as if he is a beacon of educated thought or anything. He is just a short term nobody that will be forgotten as soon as his body craps out from the abuse.

Josephus, you confuse hate speak with freedom of speech. It is typical of these intolerant fundo Christians that they are full of love and kindness for their fellow man until their cup runneth over, so they claim. Yet on the other hand they want those they do not approve of thrown into a fiery cauldron for eternity, no half measures for these god fearing folk is there.

It was once a crime to perform homosexual acts. That law had an element of forgiveness. The forgiving nature of the law allowed homosexuals to get on with life outside of the criminal act, and encouraged a change of heart and a chance to redeem themselves by becoming normal.

The law against homosexual acts was a wholesome one, it supported a conformity towards decency and respect towards a society based on Christian ethics.

Folau should be praised. Here in Folau, we have an example of youth that has a brain and is capable of thinking for himself. Folau has chosen a path in life of decency and self respect. All praise to Folau!

The emphasis here is not so much the act of homosexuality as the right to have an opinion and express it and the right to have opposite opinions. There will be those that want to close down any opinion opposite to theirs and create laws to enforce such. A free and democratic society is a society where civility rules in the face of opposing views. When businesses start representing exclusive opinion rather than their product, it starts fracturing the good will and economy of society. A society should be able to have Atheist Book shops as well as Christian book shops, and the right to advertise without threats. Countries whose laws exclude all but one opinion are totalitarian and heavy handed in enforcing their laws on opposing ideas. We can see this now happening in England, a once free society, as right wing political advocates are being imprisoned merely for holding a differing opinion.

Is freedom of speech being denied?

"His comments were described as “very disappointing” by Qantas airlines, a major sponsor of Rugby Australia, while referee Nigel Owens, who came out as gay in 2007, said such remarks could contribute to young people taking their lives.

All Blacks scrumhalf TJ Perenara joined compatriot and fellow half-back Brad Weber in condemning the comments, saying they were harmful to those within the homosexual community who were vulnerable to mental health issues.

“You don’t need to look far to know that young Maori/PI (Pacific Islanders) are overrepresented in youth suicide statistics and, as I understand it, even more so when you look to those who are part of the Rainbow community,” Perenara said on Twitter late on Wednesday.

http://www.reuters.com/article/rugby-union-australia-folau-newzealand/rugby-folau-criticism-intensifies-ra-remains-under-fire-idUSL3N1RW2TG

"SUPER Rugby star Brad Weber has expressed his disdain at Rugby Australia’s decision to keep Israel Folau on the field in a series of furious tweets aimed at the controversial Wallaby

Weber said he “couldn’t stand” the thought of playing his sport with “people like Folau”."

http://www.news.com.au/sport/rugby/super-rugby-star-brad-weber-lashes-israel-folau-on-twitter/news-story/4cc1af525cc0256928d047a3adde6507

So, no, it doesn't appear that Weber or Perenara are being denied their freedom of speech. Do you think they should be, Josephus?