ABOVE: Gov. Ralph Northam signing the Virginia Values Act. Photo via Facebook.
A bill that bans the so-called LGBTQ panic defense in Virginia took effect on July 1.
Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam on March 31 signed the measure that state Del. Danica Roem (D-Manassas) introduced. The Manassas Democrat noted in a tweet that her bill is now in effect.
“The LGBTQ+ panic defense is now prohibited in Virginia,” said Roem.
As of today, my bill HB 2132 (2021) is now in effect.
The LGBTQ+ panic defense is now prohibited in Virginia.
(And, yes, this will apply to the murder in Blacksburg.) pic.twitter.com/yw2qB2t3c2
— Sen. Danica Roem (@pwcdanica) July 1, 2021
A bill that bans the LGBTQ panic defense in D.C. took effect last month. An identical measure will become law in Maryland on Oct. 1 without Republican Gov. Larry Hogan’s signature.
More than a dozen other states and territories have also banned the LGBTQ panic defense.
