'We are sending this noxious legal defense strategy to the dustbin of history where it belongs,' said Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
The New York State Assembly voted Wednesday to ban the so-called"gay panic" and"trans panic" defenses in court, paving the way for the measure to become law.
The bill, which already passed the State Senate, now heads to Governor Andrew Cuomo, who has indicated he will sign it. Sen. Brad Hoylman authored SB 50, which prohibits the use of gender identity or sexual orientation as a valid explanation or excuse for committing a violent crime.The American Bar Association has called on states to eliminate the gay-panic defense, but only a half-dozen have done so. While it's rarely resulted in an acquittal, the strategy has successfully resulted in lesser charges and lighter sentences for perpetrators of violent hate crimes.
Glennda Testone, executive director of New York LGBT Community Center, praised the ban's passage today.
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