STATEMENT: Pohutsky Celebrates a Safer Michigan for LGBTQ+ Residents 

‘Gay panic’ defense bill signed into law 

 

LANSING, Mich July 25, 2024 — Earlier this week, Gov. Gretchen Witmer signed legislation into law that will help protect LGBTQ+ folks from violence. House Bill 4718 — sponsored by  Speaker Pro Tempore Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia), the first openly bisexual member of the House and a longtime advocate for LGBTQ+ Michiganders — prohibits the “gay or trans panic” defense, which is a legal strategy used by a perpetrator of a violent crime seeking an acquittal or mitigated sentence claiming that they lost control and reacted violently because of the victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Allowing for these violent crimes to be partially or fully excused sends the message that LGBTQ+ people are less important, lets offenders blame violent crimes on the victim’s identity, and dissuades LGBTQ victims from reporting assaults against them to begin with. 

 

“Now that this legislation is law, members of our queer communities are even safer, and their freedoms even more secure,” Pohutsky said. “I am both thankful and proud that my colleagues in the House and Senate have supported protections for LGBTQ+ folks in Michigan. House Dems have been putting in the work, and it continues to pay off. While other states across the country are, unfortunately, passing policies that restrict the rights and protections of marginalized populations, here in Michigan, we are expanding them, because we know everyone deserves to be safe and to know they are welcome.” 

 

Michigan Dems have passed multiple pieces of legislation this term to project LGBTQ+ Michiganders. This includes the addition of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression to the state’s anti-discrimination law and banning the harmful practice of conversion therapy on minors.

 

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