Name: Virginia is the first southern state to ban the 'trans panic' defense that previously gave lighter sentences to assailants claiming to react to someone's gender identity
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Virginia is the first southern state to ban the 'trans panic' defense that previously gave lighter sentences to assailants claiming to react to someone's gender identity

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Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. It indicates a way to close an interaction, or dismiss a notification.An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders. It often indicates a user profile.Redeem nowSign up for our newsletter to receive our top stories based on your reading preferences — delivered daily to your inbox.Something is loading.Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam signed a bill Wednesday invalidating the "gay/trans panic" defense, which lawyers have previously used as an excuse to secure lighter sentences for people facing homicide charges.Prior to the bill's passing, people accused of violent crimes could claim panic as a defense, saying they reacted to a victim's sexual orientation or gender identity. The bill nullifies that argument in murder and assault cases.A dozen other states have . Virginia, with Northam signing the bill, has become the first southern state to do so.Virginia's state House and Senate passed the bill in February, sending it over to Northam's office.&nbsp;Democratic Delegate Danica Roem originally wrote and sponsored the Virginia bill. Roem is in the country.—Del. Danica Roem (@pwcdanica) Roem said in an interview with that she hopes other states will follow Virginia's lead.&nbsp;"I hope that as a region, the Mid-Atlantic can really tell people that you are welcome here because of who you are, and we will protect you here because of who you are," Roem said.&nbsp;Lawyers from the say the defense has traditionally been used in three distinct ways:shows that more than 1 out of 4 trans people will experience a hate crime in their lifetime.The bill comes&nbsp;amid a surge of anti-trans bills being considered in state legislatures across the country this year. &nbsp;that 28 states are voting on anti-trans legislation in 2021.&nbsp;Most recently,Arkansas became the&nbsp; to pass a bill prohibiting doctors from providing gender-affirming medical care to transgender youth following a Monday state Senate vote.The bill would prohibit doctors from offering gender-confirming hormone treatment or surgery to trans minors. Doctors would also be unable to refer minors to other providers for treatment.&nbsp;The legislation now goes to Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson's desk for signature. He is expected to either sign or veto the bill early next week.Have a news tip? Contact this reporter at&nbsp;.Sign up for notifications from Insider! Stay up to date with what you want to know.Subscribe to push notificationsAn icon in the shape of a lightning bolt.Keep readingIt indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. It indicates a way to close an interaction, or dismiss a notification.

Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. It indicates a way to close an interaction, or dismiss a notification.An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders. It often indicates a user profile.Redeem nowSign up for our newsletter to receive our top stories based on your reading preferences — delivered daily to your inbox.Something is loading.Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam signed a bill Wednesday invalidating the "gay/trans panic" defense, which lawyers have previously used as an excuse to secure lighter sentences for people facing homicide charges.Prior to the bill's passing, people accused...

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Yelena Dzhanova is a news associate covering breaking news and politics. She graduated from Baruch College in 2019 with a triple major in English, political science, and journalism.

Yelena Dzhanova

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Virginia is the first southern state to ban the 'trans panic' defense that previously gave lighter sentences to assailants claiming to react to someone's gender identity

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