Hooray, no more "panic" defense!!!

I think it's horrible that anyone was ever able to use the "panic" defense to begin with. Nobody should be able to injure or kill a person, and then get off the hook because they "panicked" when finding out the other person was gay or trans*. This is absolutely heinous! Thank goodness, it's just about over:

“There is absolutely no justification for the use of ‘panic defenses.’ Clearly this tactic has been utilized by defendants, unjustly targeting members of the LGBT community, based on damaging stereotypes,” Assemblywoman Susan A. Bonilla said in a statement Wednesday. “With AB 2501, we are moving forward to ensure equality in our courts and making it very clear that discrimination against the LGBT community is intolerable and unacceptable.”  - advocate.com

Sometimes victories are small, and sometimes they are big. This one is huge!

Related articles

• US: California bill outlawing trans and gay panic defenses headed to governor
• California Takes A Stand Against Gay and Trans Panic Defenses in Criminal Cases
• Ban on 'gay panic defense' heads to governor