Michigan's "gay-trans panic defense" ban passes through House, Club Q that was a site of a shooting moves to a new location in Colorado, and a school in Illinois postpones a play that has LGBTQ themes.
'Gay-Trans Panic Defense’ Ban Passes Through House
According to WPBN, the Michigan House passed a bill on Oct. 19 that would ban a legal strategy known as the “gay-trans panic defense.” A heterosexual defendant can claim that they injured or killed an LGBTQ victim because they had a violent reaction to a perceived sexual advance.
Michigan is one of 33 states where this defense is still legal.
House Bill 4718 was sponsored by House Speaker Pro Tempore Laurie Pohutsky, who is openly bisexual.
The House voted 56-53 to pass HB 4718, with all House Republicans who were present voting against it.
"I hope days like today help people feel protected and cared for and seen in this state," Pohutsky said.
Club Q, Site Of 2022 Shooting, Moves To New Location
Image via clubqonline.com.
A Colorado nightclub where a November 2022 anti-LGBTQ motivated mass shooting took place that left five dead and over a dozen injured is moving to a new location, according to KRDO.
Club Q has been closed since the shooting. Its management stated they would remodel the building, but instead decided to move to a new location, the Satellite Hotel.
The new venue will have a name change, now known as “The Q” and move from being a nightclub to a bar and restaurant. They plan to host drag shows as well as other events. The new venue will be run by survivors of the shooting. The owners are also offering former employees of Club Q to join.
School Postpones Play That Has LGBTQ Themes
Superintendent Susan Harkin. Photo via d300.org.
According to Los Angeles Blade, an Illinois school district superintendent announced on Oct. 20 that a local high school’s production of “The Prom”, a musical with LGBTQ-themes, was to be postponed due to safety concerns. The decision was later reconsidered after a student petition.
The Hampshire High School Music Department had procured the stage rights and was cleared by principal Brett Bending, according to Hampshire High School alum and Bradley University sophomore Maggie Little.
Superintendent Susan Harkin of District 300 schools and Adrian Harries, the Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) for the District, told students on Oct. 20 that the production would be postponed due to a fear of protests due to the LGBTQ content of the play.
Little created a Change.org petition to ask the superintendent to reevaluate her decision. On Oct. 30, the Superintendent’s office released a statement stating that the district would develop a safety plan along with the high school before the musical can proceed.
