An open letter to the U.S. Congress

Ban the Trans Panic Defense Nationwide

177 so far! Help us get to 250 signers!

Introduce federal legislation banning the trans panic defense. Right now, defendants across the country can argue that a victim's gender identity justifies killing them — and walk away with reduced charges or acquittals. The LGBTQ+ Bar Association defines it plainly: the trans panic defense lets defendants use a victim's identity to reduce or evade criminal liability when the force used wasn't otherwise justifiable. That is not a legitimate legal defense. It is codified prejudice. Read full breakdown here: https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/killing-of-woman-may-have-been-justifiable Twenty states have already banned this tactic, which means the legal groundwork exists and the political will is there. What's missing is a federal floor that protects everyone, regardless of what state they live in. No jury anywhere in this country should be asked to weigh a dead person's gender identity against their killer's claimed fear. Pass a federal ban.

▶ Created on October 9 by Trans Rights Are Human Rights

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