Because the New York Young Republican Club is committed to free and open inquiry in all matters, it guarantees all members of the New York Young Republican Club the broadest possible latitude to speak, write, listen, challenge, and learn. Except insofar as limitations on that freedom are necessary to the functioning of the New York Young Republican Club, the Club fully respects and supports the freedom of all members of the Club “to discuss any problem that presents itself.”
Of course, the ideas of different members of the New York Young Republican Club will often and quite naturally conflict. But it is not the Club’s proper role to attempt to shield individuals from ideas and opinions they find unwelcome, disagreeable, or even deeply offensive. Although New York Young Republican Club greatly values civility, and although all members of the Club share in the responsibility for maintaining a climate of mutual respect, concerns about civility and mutual respect can never be used as a justification for closing off discussion of ideas, however offensive or disagreeable those ideas may be to some members of our community.
The freedom to debate and discuss the merits of competing ideas does not, of course, mean that individuals may say whatever they wish, wherever they wish. The New York Young Republican Club may restrict expression that violates the law, which defames a specific individual, which constitutes a genuine threat or harassment, that unjustifiably invades substantial privacy or confidentiality interests or is otherwise directly incompatible with the functioning of the New York Young Republican Club. Accordingly, the Club may reasonably regulate the time, place, and manner of expression to ensure that it does not disrupt the ordinary activities of the Club. Howver, these are narrow exceptions to the general principle of freedom of expression. It is vitally important that these exceptions never be used in a manner that is inconsistent with the Club’s commitment to a completely free and open discussion of ideas.
In a word, New York Young Republican Club’s fundamental commitment is to the principle that debate or deliberation may not be suppressed because the ideas put forth are thought by some or even by most members of the Club to be offensive, unwise, immoral, or wrong-headed. It is for the individual members of the Club, not for the Club as an institution, to make those judgments for themselves, and to act on those judgments not by seeking to suppress speech, but by openly and vigorously contesting the ideas that they oppose. Indeed, fostering the ability of members of the New York Young Republican Club to engage in such debate and deliberation effectively and responsibly is an essential part of the Club’s mission.
As a corollary to the New York Young Republican Club’s commitment to protect and promote free expression, members of the Club must also act in conformity with the principle of free expression. Although members of the Club are free to criticize and contest the views expressed and criticize and contest speakers who are invited to express their views, they may not obstruct or otherwise interfere with others’ freedom to express views they reject or even loathe. To this end, the Club has a solemn responsibility to promote lively and fearless freedom of debate and deliberation and protect that freedom when others attempt to restrict it.