Oregon Lawmakers Vow to Get Rid of “Gay Panic” Defense in Criminal Cases

The Oregon House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 704 on May 13, 2021. Governor Kate Brown signed the legislation into law ten days later. Accordingly, Oregon became the 14th state to end the so-called "Gay Panic" or "LGBTQ Panic" defense in criminal cases. What is the Gay Panic Defense in Criminal Cases? The Gay Panic