Gay panic defense

The gay panic defense or homosexual advance defense is a victim blaming strategy of legal defense, which refers to a situation in which a heterosexual individual charged with a violent crime against a same-sex attracted individual claims they lost control and reacted violently because of an unwanted sexual advance that was made upon them. [1] A defendant will use available legal defenses.

To view legislation related to LGBTQ+ panic defenses (also known as "gay panic defenses"), click on a location on the map.