Michigan House bans gay and trans panic defenses

[butters]

“No one’s sexual orientation or gender identity is a defense for assault or murder,” Rep. Chris Pappas said in introducing the bill.

it passed 56-53 and should see no problem being passed in the dem-led senate

While gay- and trans-panic aren’t officially legal defenses against murder, defendents use them to help mitigate their sentences for murder. They’re essentially claims of temporary insanity, diminished capacity, or self-defense in which murderers say they flew into a lethal rage after a gay or trans individual sexually propositioned them, threatening their sense of safety and identity.

how sick is it that people even try to use that as a defense or mitigating circumstance for them killing or hurting someone?

Gay and trans panic defenses have been banned in 16 states. Both the American Bar Association and the National LGBT Bar Association advocate the banning of these defenses nationwide. Democrats introduced such a bill in the U.S. Congress in 2023, but it’s unlikely to become law due to Republican opposition.

These bans don’t prohibit queer panic defenses from being used in court. Rather, they require judges to read instructions telling jurors to “ignore bias, sympathy, prejudice or public opinion in making their decision.” The bans also educate district attorneys’ offices about queer panic strategies and how to prevent queerphobia from affecting trial outcomes.

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