LGBT

n2doc

(47,953 posts) Sun Sep 28, 2014, 11:26 AM Sep 2014

California governor signs law outlawing ‘gay panic’ legal defense

The Governor of California has signed a law outlawing the use of the so-called ‘gay panic’ defense.

The defense – which is often used to get more lenient sentences for criminals after assaults and murders – is based around the claim that a perpetrator was “panicked” into committing a violent crime due to an unwanted advance from a gay person.

More recently, the panic defense has also been used to justify crimes against transgender people after discovering their gender identity.

Rights campaigners have long argued that it is deeply homophobic, and last month a bill axing it was passed by the state assembly by a vote of 50-10.

more

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/09/28/california-governor-signs-law-outlawing-gay-panic-legal-defense/

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California governor signs law outlawing ‘gay panic’ legal defense (Original Post) n2doc Sep 2014 OP

Good for him! It was a ridiculous defense, procon Sep 2014 #1

"Gay Panic" used as a defense against hate crimes. Amazing. NYC_SKP Sep 2014 #2

imagine if women marym625 Sep 2014 #3

That would have meant justice for Harvey Milk shenmue Sep 2014 #4

procon

(15,805 posts)

1. Good for him! It was a ridiculous defense,

Reply to n2doc (Original post)

Sun Sep 28, 2014, 11:44 AM

Sep 2014

and when I first read about it my first thought was that it was a satirical spoof from The Onion. I can't believe that any sane person would have found that ‘gay panic’ was a plausible excuse, or that men were so knee-knocking terrified of sexuality. Can you imagine women trying to float a similar defense every time some jerk hit on her or made inappropriate sexual remarks?