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# Virginia bans LGBTQ+ panic defence
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/virginia-bans-lgbtq-panic-defence/
- Published: 2021-04-04T08:23:28.000Z
- Updated: 2021-04-04T08:23:28.000Z
- Description: Virginia has become the 12th US state to ban the so-called LGBTQ+ ‘panic defence’.
- Author: Rachel Badham
- Tags: News, Politics, Queer Corner, LGBTQ, LGBTQ+ equality, US, Virginia

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/rainbow-flag-pride-lgbt-600-400.jpg)

**Virginia** has become the 12th **US** state to ban the so-called LGBTQ+ ‘panic defence’ after governor **Ralph Northam** recently signed a House Bill 2132 into law. The law states: *“Another person’s actual or perceived sex, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation”* cannot be used as legal justification in a murder or assault case. Virginia now joins a handful of states including **California**, **Nevada**, **New York** and **North Carolina** where panic defence no longer has any legal standing.

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/gov-ralph-northam-600-400.jpg)

Gov. Northam

The **National LGBT Bar Association** [said](https://lgbtbar.org/programs/advocacy/gay-trans-panic-defense/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) the legal use of panic defence *“implies that LGBTQ+ lives are worth less than others…By fully or partially acquitting the perpetrators of crimes against LGBTQ+ victims.”* The bill to ban the defence was first introduced by lawmaker and LGBTQ+ activist **Danica Roem**, who [tweeted](https://twitter.com/pwcdanica/status/1377365508958261255?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1377369733159288835%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es3%5F&ref%5Furl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.them.us%2Fstory%2Fvirginia-twelfth-state-to-ban-lgbtq-panic-defense&ref=scenemag.co.uk) in celebration after it was made official law: *“The LGBTQ+ panic defense is now banned in Virginia…Thank you to my team, the advocates who testified, my colleagues who voted for it and my 15-year-old out student constituent in Manassas Park who requested it.”*

**Equality Virginia** also praised Northam for signing the bill, sharing a statement of celebration on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/EqualityVA/photos/a.122316477814283/3979612568751302/?type=3&theater): *“We are thrilled that Governor of Virginia Ralph Northam has signed into law a series of pro-equality bills that will significantly improve the lives of LGBTQ+ Virginians…This is an exciting time for Virginians – these monumental changes bring us closer to a more equal Commonwealth where all are free to live, love, learn, and work.”*

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/trans-us-rights.jpg)