In 2013 the Russians passed a law, signed by Vladimir Putin, banning speech deemed to be ‘propaganda’ about homosexuality. This law has, of course, drawn criticism worldwide from leftists. Not for the censorship, but for being ‘anti-gay.’

Well now we know why. New York City is passing its own censorship law, just going the other way with respect to “nonconfirmity” and “gender identity.”

Backers claim that “This is an extremely positive development for transgender New Yorkers who face enormous rates of discrimination, unemployment and difficulty accessing things like health care that people take for granted,” according to Thomson Reuters, but key provisions have nothing to do with being denied access to jobs and services. This is about controlling the speech of others.

Consider what NYC’s own ‘legal guidance’ says:

The NYCHRL requires employers and covered entities to use an individual’s preferred name, pronoun and title (e.g., Ms./Mrs.) regardless of the individual’s sex assigned at birth, anatomy, gender, medical history, appearance, or the sex indicated on the individual’s identification.

…The law also recognizes that unlawful sex stereotyping often manifests itself as anti-gay epithets, or attributing a particular sexual orientation to individuals who do not conform to sex stereotypes.

…Covered entities may avoid violations of the NYCHRL by training all staff on creating and maintaining an environment free from sex stereotyping.

Got that? If you speak in a manner not deemed correct, you will be liable for fines up to $250,000, according to a number of vague, subjective factors. But if you submit your staff for propaganda in the other direction, you will be given wiggle room. There is the proof that this is about information and speech codes, not “anti-discrimination.”

This is the embodiment of Erick Erickson’s You Will Be Made to Care, and it is just the mirror image of Vladimir Putin’s oppression in the other way. Both are wrong, and both must be opposed by those who seek liberty, in particular freedom of speech.

The left used to like freedom of speech. Turns out they only liked it when they perceived themselves in a position of weakness. The Internet has given them a sense of strength, so now they attempt Italian socialist Antonio Gramsci’s long march through the institutions.

There’s a great picture of an anarchist on Flickr calling on you to disobey Russia’s law. Think they’ll do the same for NYC’s censorship law?