Hate crime or free speech: I've been very encouraged with events in Britain these past few weeks (see here and here), it's only fair that I raise the alarm when it's warranted.
On a recent discussion on a radio program, children's author Lynette Burrows made it clear that she did not support the right of homosexual couples to adopt, regardless of Britain's new civil partnership laws.
Guess what happened next? Burrows's opinions werereported to the police. (Link via Sullivan)
Money quote:

Scotland Yard confirmed last night that Fulham police had investigated a complaint over the radio programme.
A spokesman said it was policy for community safety units to investigate homophobic, racist and domestic incidents because these were "priority crimes".
It is standard practice for all parties to be spoken to, even if the incident is not strictly seen as a crime. "It is all about reassuring the community," said the spokesman. "We can confirm that a member of the public brought to our attention an incident which he believed to be homophobic."

For what it's worth, I think Ms. Burrows's opinion is not based on sound data and may have more than a bit of bias to it. In that sense, it may even be 'wrong.' But she has the right to be wrong, and I would extend that right to her as I trust she would to me.
So. Are this and other comments like it 'hate crime', or is it free speech? Where to draw the line?