Vermont Becomes 14th State To Ban Gay, Transgender 'Panic Defense'

Vermont Governor Phil Scott, a Republican, on Wednesday signed a bill into law that bans the use of the so-called gay and transgender panic defense in criminal trials.

Vermont is the 13^th state plus the District of Columbia with such a law.

Criminal defendants who use the controversial defense claim that a violent act was triggered by the revelation of a victim's actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

Scott posted on YouTube remarks he made before signing the bill, titled An Act Relating to Limiting Criminal Defenses Based on Victim Identity.

“With this legislation, Republicans, Democrats and Progressives alike sent a message to Vermonters, that your identity should never be an excuse for someone to cause you harm,” Scott said.

“What this bill does is make sure a victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity can’t be used to defend or justify a criminal act, or to lower a sentence,” he added.

Similar laws have been enacted in the District of Columbia and 12 states, including Virginia, Washington, New Jersey, New York, California, Hawaii, Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, Illinois, Nevada, and Rhode Island. A bill in Maryland awaits the governor's signature.