Nevada just went and did something that only a total of 4 states now have done….banned gay and trans panic defenses.
Yes… you read that right. Only 4 states now ban the reprehensible gay and trans panic defense.
We can hope that more states follow the lead of Nevada.
Not familiar with the gay/trans panic defense? It allows defendants in crimes against gay or trans people to use the victims orientation, gender expression or gender identity AGAINST the actual victim. Gay panic defense has been going on for years, as has trans panic defense.
The case though that seemed to put a face on gay panic defense was with the scum that killed Matthew Shepard. The trans panic defense that seemed to say to people that enough was enough was the case of Gwen Araujo.
Nevada said NO to this practice.
Senate Bill 97, which was signed into law Tuesday, prohibits defendants from using a victim’s sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression as a defense in a criminal case.
This act deals a blow to the whole “gay” or “trans” panic defense.
Senate Bill 97 states that “‘gay panic’ and ‘trans panic’ defenses appeal to irrational fears and hatred of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, thereby undermining the legitimacy of criminal prosecutions and resulting in unjustifiable acquittals or sentencing reductions.”
Its about time that states are taking action.