From Daily Xtra: http://dailyxtra.com/world/news/american-bar-association-calls-ban-gay-and-trans-panic-defence?market=210
Judges, lawmakers and juries must demand end to these practices: LGBT Bar Association
By Natasha Barsotti
Published Mon, Aug 12, 2013
The American Bar Association (ABA) has unanimously approved a resolution calling on state legislatures to ban “gay panic” and “trans panic” defences in trials, the National LGBT Bar Association says in a statement.
Such defences are invoked in bids to excuse crimes on the grounds that someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity is to blame for a defendant’s violent reaction.
D’Arcy Kemnitz, executive director of the LGBT Bar Association, says the ABA’s adoption of the measure sends the message that legal professionals find “no validity in the sham defenses mounted by those who seek to perpetuate discrimination and stereotypes as an excuse for violence.”
Kemnitz called on state legislatures to move expeditiously to enact the ABA’s recommendation.
“Judges, lawmakers and juries must demand that these practices come to an end and juries must be provided with instructions advising juries to make their decisions free of improper bias and prejudice,” Kemnitz says. “Today’s ABA resolution is an important first step towards realizing that goal.”
Complete article at: http://dailyxtra.com/world/news/american-bar-association-calls-ban-gay-and-trans-panic-defence?market=210
See Also
The Edge Boston: ABA Unanimously Passes Resolution Curtailing “Gay Panic” Defense
