Gretchen Whitmer is getting ready to do another solid for the LGBTQ+ community in her state
True Gretch, she’s been working as a campaign surrogate for Joe Biden… which has mostly turned into fielding endless questions about whether she’d consider running in his place.Now, she’s preparing to do a solid for the queer community in Michigan by signing legislation that will ban LGBTQ+ panic legal defenses in the Great Lake State.
Stay woke with our briefing while staying informed on all things LGBTQ+ entertainment, life, and more!Under current Michigan law, a person can be acquitted on assault or murder charges if they can successfully argue their actions were provoked by fear of their victim’s sexuality or gender identity.According to the American Bar Association, these laws “seek to partially or completely excuse crimes such as murder and assault on the grounds that the victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity is to blame for the defendant’s violent reaction.” Research by the Williams Institute adds that “no state recognizes gay and trans panic defenses as freestanding defenses under their respective penal codes.” Instead, defendants use panic defenses in conjunction with other defense strategies as a method to reduce the severity of their charges or sentencing.Rep.
Laurie Pothusky, who sponsored the bill banning the outdate, blame-the-victim defense in Michigan, told local media that her goal is to ensure everyone receives justice.“We don’t want people to be able to commit violent acts against them and then get away with it or get a slap on the wrist because of who they assaulted, or in some cases who they murdered,” she said, noting that the defense is most often used in cases of violence against Black trans women.Currently, only 19 states ban LGBTQ+ panic defense.
