20 states or so prohibit this defense. Again, Massachusetts allows it and it’s the only state in New England to do so. We need all the protections we can get these days and there is no logical reason this defense should still exist. Write to your state legislators.

We’ve all felt the desire to slap the shit out of an idiot but we don’t because it’s wrong and, while their stupidity might be a threat to me, I know the right thing to do is to avoid violence and that their stupidity isn’t going to rub off on me.

Imagine we’re allowed to assault/kill someone with the Stupid Panic Defense?

You might think this defense is a product of ancient gay history or perhaps remaining only in very conservative states. I’m ashamed to say you’d be wrong. My own home state of Massachusetts still allows this defense and, in fact, legislature to eliminate it was denied several times in recent years.

In other words, if the assailant claims they were flirted with or touched by the victim or even confused about the victim’s gender, they were justified in their actions.