Lawmakers in both Connecticut’s senate and house proposed bills to ban the so-called “gay panic” defense. If passed, a defendant accused of committing a violent would no longer be able to introduce a victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity as a defense.
In other words, “a criminal defendant may not use the shock of learning that the victim of the defendant’s crime was gay or transgender to justify or excuse the violence perpetrated by the defendant against the victim,” reads the senate bill number 58. The bill was put forth by Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney.
Reports Connecticut TV station Fox 61:
A similar bill [HB6306] was introduced by Democrat Representatives Raghib Allie-Brennan, of Bethel, and Jeff Currey, of East Hartford. Both representatives are openly gay.
In 2013 the American Bar Association called for an end to these type of defense arguments. Since then, California, Illinois and Rhode Island have banned the defense.
According to the LGBT Bar Association gay panic defenses are “a legal tactic which is used to bolster other defenses.”
The LGBT Bar Association points to the case of Matthew Shepard, who was murdered in 1998, as one of the most recognized cases that employed the “gay panic” defense. Shepard was beaten to death by two men, whose defense argued the two attacked Shepard in a fit of rage after realizing he was gay. The men were still convicted and sentenced to life in prison.
Both Connecticut bills have been referred to the judiciary committee. Legislation has also been proposed by federal lawmakers.
Along with Rhode Island’s recent passage of a similar law, Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey and Congressman Joe Kennedy III introduced similar national legislation in July last year.
