Of course, COVID-19 looms large across this year’s annual Year in Review issue. From the shocking death toll, to the devastating impact on local businesses, to the cancellation of Pride, coronavirus upended all of our lives. Here are the Blade’s staff picks for the top 10 local news stories of 2020.
DC Bill Banning Gay Panic Defense Named After Transgender, Gay Victims Tue. December 22, 2020 11:08 AM by OnTopMag.com Lawmakers in the District of Columbia have approved a bill that bans the use of the so-called gay and transgender panic defense in criminal trials.
Criminal defendants who use the controversial defense claim that a violent act was triggered by the revelation of a victim s actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.
Washington Blade, the vote, held on December 15, was unanimous. Mayor Muriel Bowser, who had a hand in crafting the legislation, has said that she will sign it into law. Congress also needs to review the proposed legislation.
D.C. Council approves bill banning LGBTQ panic defense
By : Lou Chibbaro Jr. OF THE WASHINGTON BLADE, COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL LGBT MEDIA ASSOCIATION December 21, 2020
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ABOVE: D.C. Council member Charles Allen (D-Ward 6), photo via Allen’s Facebook page.
The D.C. Council voted unanimously Dec. 15 to give final approval of a bill that bans the use of the so-called gay and transgender panic defense in criminal trials.
A coalition of local LGBTQ advocacy groups that lobbied for the legislation said it is needed to prevent defense attorneys from inappropriately asking juries to find that a victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity or gender expression is to blame for a defendant’s criminal act, including murder.
By | December 21, 2020
Lawmakers in the District of Columbia
have approved a bill that bans the use of the so-called gay and
transgender panic defense in criminal trials.
Criminal defendants who use the
controversial defense claim that a violent act was triggered by the
revelation of a victim s actual or perceived sexual orientation or
gender identity.
Washington
Blade, the vote, held on December 15, was unanimous. Mayor
Muriel Bowser, who had a hand in crafting the legislation, has said
that she will sign it into law. Congress also needs to review the
proposed legislation.
The Bella Evangelista and Tony Hunter
Panic Defense Prohibition and Hate Crimes Response Amendment Act of
Councilmember Charles Allen helped push the new hate crime bill through, which bans gay and trans panic defences in Washington DC. (Bill O Leary/The Washington Post via Getty)
Washington DC has voted to ban gay and trans panic defences from being used by attorneys in criminal trials in a landmark win for LGBT+ rights.
Gay and trans panic defences have been heard in courtrooms around the world when a person accused of a violent crime, such as a murder or attempted murder, claims that the shock of finding out a person is LGBT+ pushed them to commit the act.
Attorneys have successfully argued that a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity was to blame for them being attacked, effectively absolving the perpetrator of blame in the process.