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Brian Dahle on Civil Rights

 

 


Don't eliminate "gay panic" tactic for criminal defendants

Legislative Counsel's Digest: A "gay panic" or "trans panic" defense allows a criminal defendant to claim that the victim's sexual orientation or gender identity provoked them to violence. This outrageous tactic sends the message that violence against members of the LGBT community is understandable or acceptable. These defense tactics also hurt survivors and loved ones of victims by asking the jury to find that the victim's sexual orientation or gender identity excuses the defendant's actions. AB 2501, the first bill of its kind in the nation, eliminates "gay panic" and "trans panic" as a tactic for criminal defendants, ensuring that attacks on members of the LGBT community can be seen for what they are.

Legislative Outcome: 8/26/14: Passed Senate, 25-9-6; 8/27/14: Passed Assembly, 58-15-6, including NAY vote by Brian Dahle; signed by Governor Brown

Source: California legislative voting records: AB 2501 , Aug 27, 2014

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