They will be discussing an issue that has been long neglected. The fact that defendants in murder cases use the "Gay panic" defense far too often and far too successfully.
The slippery slope argument could be made readily to this defense as it blames the victim for existing. Opening the door for any crime to be justified if it was based in fear.
In August the ABA will vote on the resolution developed by the LGBT-ABA this will include instructions for judges and juries to inform them that blaming the victim is not acceptable.
It is bad enough LGBT's are punished in this society for existing the time has passed to put this reprehensible murder defense in it's proper place the rubbish bin.
June 3, 2013—The National LGBT Bar Association applauds the American Bar Association’s Criminal Justice Section for taking up a resolution to protect victims of so called gay and trans “panic” legal defenses. The resolution supports the LGBT community by no longer allowing defense attorneys to use victims’ identities or their sexual orientation against them in court.
“This resolution puts an end to a longstanding injustice in our legal system and gives a voice to countless lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender victims of violence, a voice we never hear because they are no longer here to speak for themselves,” said D’Arcy Kemnitz, executive director of the LGBT Bar.
Gay and trans “panic” defense tactics ask a jury to find that a victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity is to blame for the defendant’s excessively violent reaction. The perpetrator claims that the victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity not only explain – but excuse – their loss of self-control and subsequent assault of an LGBT individual. By fully or partially acquitting the perpetrators of crimes against LGBT victims, these defenses imply that LGBT lives are worth less than others.