This Loophole Essentially Makes Murdering Black People Legal

Via Wikipedia

Abeni Jones
October 3, 2019

In 44 states, it’s effectively legal to get away with murder because of a crooked loophole. And it’s targeting some of the most vulnerable members of our community.

In these states, there’s a legal argument called the “gay panic” defense. It’s used to get a lesser charge when murdering a gay or transgender person. 

The defense goes like this: interacting with someone who is gay or transgender is so disorienting that it creates “temporary insanity.”

Many believe that trans women “trick” straight men into sex, and that’s why they get killed. But according to numerous trans advocacy groups, the killer is often a date or boyfriend.

"Sadly, it is common because the men who love trans women... have their masculinity questioned by dating us," said Monica Roberts, creator of TransGriot. "[S]ome guys who cannot take it [will] murder to protect their reputation."

When the defense has been used successfully, it’s gotten defendants reduced sentences and less jail time.

Black gay and transgender people are still Black people, who deserve justice and shouldn’t be murdered for their gender or sexuality.

At least 20 trans women - nearly ALL of them Black - have been murdered so far in 2019. Most of their killers remain free.

Two more states are set to ban the “panic” defense in 2019.

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