Michigan Senate passes bill to ban 'gay panic' defense

[marmar]

(Michigan Advance) A bill that would bar the “gay panic” and “trans panic” defenses from being used in court was passed Thursday by the Michigan Senate.

House Bill 4718 would prohibit using a legal defense that would either partially or completely excuse crimes such as murder and assault on the grounds that the victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity were to blame.

It passed 24-14, with four Republicans — Sens. Mark Huizenga (R-Walker), Dan Lauwers (R-Brockway), Jonathan Lindsey (R-Sturgis), and Ed McBroom (Vulcan) — joining all Democrats voting in favor.

That was in contrast to when state Rep. Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia) put forward the bill last year and it passed the House on a 56-53 party line vote, with every Republican who was present voting against it. .................(more)

https://michiganadvance.com/briefs/michigan-senate-passes-bill-to-ban-gay-panic-defense/

[GreenWave]

1. The bad guys were ;looking for legal excuses to kill or maim.

[Johnny2X2X]

2. This is great

The Matthew Shephard case was pivotal, he was killed and the defense was, "well, he hit on me, so...." And I am not sure younger people get that that was a normal reaction for a long time. When homosexuality first started to be portrayed on TV and more people started being open with it in the 70s and 80s, it was like a normal response from men, "Let people alone, as long as no one is hitting on me I have no problem with it." And that was seen as an ally almost, it was seen as a tolerant person back in the 80s. As if getting hit on by a gay person then excused violence.

I don't think the courts were accepting this defense for some time now, but it's good to get it on the books just the same.

I have had LGTBQ friends since I was a teenager. I've always been an ally. I remember what it was like to be with a group of freinds in the 80s that included gay people, there was a constant danger and threat of violence. People went places in groups. Gay people took care to never be caught alone. There was a constant risk of being assaulted by other teens who were out looking to gay bash. These Don't Say Gay bils are trying to take us back to those times. I have no doubt that red states are working to legalize this defense as we sit here. We can't go back to that time.