Michigan

The Matthew Shephard case was pivotal, he was killed and the defense was, "well, he hit on me, so...." And I am not sure younger people get that that was a normal reaction for a long time. When homosexuality first started to be portrayed on TV and more people started being open with it in the 70s and 80s, it was like a normal response from men, "Let people alone, as long as no one is hitting on me I have no problem with it." And that was seen as an ally almost, it was seen as a tolerant person back in the 80s. As if getting hit on by a gay person then excused violence.

I don't think the courts were accepting this defense for some time now, but it's good to get it on the books just the same.

I have had LGTBQ friends since I was a teenager. I've always been an ally. I remember what it was like to be with a group of freinds in the 80s that included gay people, there was a constant danger and threat of violence. People went places in groups. Gay people took care to never be caught alone. There was a constant risk of being assaulted by other teens who were out looking to gay bash. These Don't Say Gay bils are trying to take us back to those times. I have no doubt that red states are working to legalize this defense as we sit here. We can't go back to that time.