The abhorrent legal defence of “gay panic” has finally been kicked out of Australia with South Australia becoming the last state to pass a legislation to abolish it late on Tuesday evening.Gay Panic was a legal defence available to persons accused of murder.
The legal argument allowed a murder charge to be downgraded to manslaughter and a lighter punishment, if the accused managed to prove that they were provoked to commit the crime in self defence or they were provoked by the victim’s homosexual advances.“We’re glad to finally see this outdated law abolished.
This announcement comes after years of advocacy from community members and supportive politicians of all parties. The news was swiftly met with celebration from many LGBTQI South.