GAY PANIC DEFENCE OVERTURN GOOD FOR MENTAL HEALTH

Paul Martinpsychologist specialising in gay and lesbian mental health believes that the Queensland Government overturning this gay panic defence law sends a positive message to gay Queenslanders. Paul Martin said, When our society allows a homosexual panic defence to continue it is validating homophobic behaviour and the murder of innocent people. I am personally amazed that we are living in a state which had allowed the homosexual panic defence to exist at any level.”

"The archaic law that allowed criminals to use the fact that someone made a pass at them as a defence for murder was the worst form of homophobia. You would never see a women who was approached by someone at a bar use this as a defence for murdering them.” “Any form of extreme emotion can create a strong impulse to react in a particular way, however this doesn't mean a person is not in control as they do have a choice.” “The Government’s move to overturn this law sends out a strong message that homophobia in any form is unacceptable. For many vulnerable gay men who are experiencing psychological problems due to homophobia, this gives them some sense that things are improving.”