Posted on 07/16/2018 6:18:50 PM PDT by yesthatjallen
Two Democratic lawmakers are pressing for legislation that crack down on the use of so-called "gay panic" and "trans panic" defenses in federal court.
The Gay and Trans Panic Defense Prohibition Act of 2018 was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Edward Markey (D-Mass.) and in the House by Rep. Joe Kennedy (D-Mass.).
The measure seeks to curtail the use of a controversial legal defense aimed at reducing penalties for people who claim that they committed violent crimes against gay or transgender people, because of the person's sexuality or gender identity caused them to "panic."
"Sexual orientation or gender identity cannot ever excuse violence, and our courtrooms should not be used as chambers of hate," Markey said in a statement.
"Gay and trans panic legal defenses reflect an irrational fear and bigotry toward the LGBTQ community and corrode the legitimacy of federal prosecutions."
Such defenses are already banned in California and Illinois, but can still technically be used in federal court.
In a statement to NBC News, Kennedy said that committing violent acts against people because of their gender identity or sexual orientation should never have been seen as a legal defense, but rather as a "hate crime."
"Legal loopholes written into our laws that seek to justify violent attacks against our gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender neighbors should never have existed in the first place," he said.
In the Senate, the measure has five cosponsors, not including Markey. It has 10 cosponsors in the House, not including Kennedy.
The defense was used in a 1998 murder by two Wyoming men, Russell Henderson and Aaron McKinney, who claimed they killed a 21-year-old gay college student because he had made a pass at them.
That defense was rejected, however, and Henderson and McKinney were handed life sentences.
If some faggot makes a pass at you its funny
Same as when a woman does it
If you react violently
You are a fag too.
What’s next????
Half way through sex “I have ( insert lifetime curse STD here) “
STD Panic...????
Two Democrat lawmakers. And the Bolsheviks at The Hill run with it.
How about gay rape?
How do they have the authority to pass federal laws affecting state crimes?
Whats next????
Half way through sex I have ( insert lifetime curse STD here)
STD Panic...????
As in making it illegal to NOT have sex with someone who has a STD
( should have clarified it in earlier post )
I agree. On the other hand, I don’t really favor legislation ruling certain attempts at criminal defense off-limits. That seems, to me, to be an area where juries should decide.
So #MeToo is not a defense when a sexual predator grabs your crotch or exposes himself in a public washroom???
Anything sponsored by Dummycrats is pure garbage, and just by the explanation that ass munchers have more power to make up their own stories is utter nonsense.
Someone explain to the faggots they can bake a cake..
Well that defense sounds like a real problem. /s
Any examples of this "panic" defense working? Bueller? Bueller? Mueller?
This “law” will allow homosexuals to rape children. That’s what this is about.
Children will not be able to say NO to homosexual molestation.
exactly
These freaks try and pass off as a woman, and try to get men, and think the men once they find out should just walk away, no chance.
100%
We definitely need special protection for Homosexual Predators.
Hey Chode, good to see ya again!
How about gays who end up murdering their partners through weird S & M sexual behaviors?
Isn’t that regarded as violent crimes against gay or transgender people? It seems the law looks the other way on that one as accidental death.
Joe Kennedy's uncle taught him all he knows.
and you too Sir...
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