Virginia becomes the first state in the South to ban gay and trans panic as a defense
CNN
Gay and trans panic defenses can allow people charged with the murders of LGBTQ people to receive a lesser sentence by "placing the blame for homicide on a victim's actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity."
Virginia is now the 12th state to ban the defense, which can allow people charged with the killing of LGBTQ people to receive a lesser sentence by "placing the blame for homicide on a victim's actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity," according to the Williams Institute, UCLA Law's LGBTQ think tank. Delegate Danica Roem introduced the bill in the Virginia House of Delegates earlier this year, and Gov. Ralph Northam signed the bill last week. It goes into effect in July.
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