Tag Archives: sexuality

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer outlaws the ‘gay and trans panic defense’ in criminal trials

Michigan-Gov.-Gretchen-Whitmer

Important Takeaways:

  • The law prohibits using a victim’s sexuality or gender identity as justification for criminal action
  • The legislation states that an individual’s “actual or perceived sex, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation” is not admissible in a criminal trial to “demonstrate reasonable provocation,” “show that an act was committed in a heat of passion” or “support a defense of reduced mental capacity.”
  • The governor’s office said the bill “significantly expands” protections for the LGBTQ community “by protecting them from violent acts of discrimination, prejudice, and hate crimes.”
  • Michigan is now the 20th state to prohibit this type of defense, according to Movement Advancement Project, an LGBTQ think tank.
  • Emme Zanotti, director of advocacy and civic engagement at Equality Michigan, a statewide LGBTQ advocacy group that expressed support for the legislation at the September hearing, said in a statement shared with NBC News on Wednesday that LGBTQ community members “deserve the same protections as everyone else.”

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Pastor Andrew Brunson delivers letter with more than 14,000 signatures vowing to pray for Finnish Politician

Important Takeaways:

  • Persecuted Pastor Andrew Brunson Delivers Thousands of Prayers for Finnish Politician, Prosecuted for Citing Bible
  • More than 14,000 people have signed a pledge, vowing to pray for a Finnish politician who has been prosecuted for citing Scripture in defending her view of sexuality.
  • Päivi Räsänen, an MP in Finland, is facing “hate speech” charges for her work in creating a pamphlet promoting a biblical view of marriage and sexuality and against homosexuality
  • Brunson’s letter expressed support for Räsänen and the bishop.
    • “I, the undersigned, want you to be encouraged that I am praying for you and Bishop Juhana Pohjala as you are being persecuted and attacked for sharing the truth of Scripture regarding God’s design for marriage and sexuality,” he wrote. “Your bold stand to live out Acts 5:29 by obeying God rather than man is inspiring to Christians in Finland, the United States, and around the world.”
    • He went on to write he is praying “the Lord Jesus will give you favor in the courtroom where you are on trial for your faith.”
    • May God open the eyes of those deceived by the culture to the truth of His Word,” Brunson added. “No matter the outcome of your case, may the Lord’s peace surround you as you stand upon His promise in Romans 8:28, ‘that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

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