More than 7000 sign petition on Change.org calling for Queensland to reform law that allows “gay panic” defence in murder cases

A Queensland priest has gathered more than seven thousand supporters to his online campaign to close a legal loophole that allows people accused of murder to defend themselves by claiming “gay panic”.

Just over two years ago, a man was brutally killed in Father Paul Kelly’s church grounds in Maryborough. The defendants used the notorious “gay panic” defence - that if someone they think is gay “comes onto” them, the sheer panic they feel is partial justification for murder.

The two men were eventually acquitted of murder but convicted of manslaughter (although their “gay panic” defence was not accepted). There have been a number of other cases in Queensland where non-violent homosexual advance has been put forward as a partial defence to murder.

Father Kelly was so outraged that the “gay panic” law still existed in Queensland that he started a Change.org petition calling for it to be dropped. More than 7000 people have already signed the petition.

“I’m utterly appalled that a law that so revoltingly and openly discriminates against gay people is still tolerated in a modern society,” said Father Kelly, at the St Mary’s parish in Maryborough.

“Laws like the ‘gay panic’ defence are a crucial part of legitimising and reinforcing a culture of hate which means that 73% of gay and lesbian Queenslanders are subjected to verbal abuse or physical violence for their sexuality.

“Queensland is now one of the last states upholding the idea that a person can be panicked enough by homosexual people to justify grievously bashing them to the point that they die, no matter how mild the alleged action.  In addition, the mere introduction of this evidence arguably pollutes jury deliberations. That’s why I am calling on the Queensland parliament and LNP leader Campbell Newman to eliminate this law as a partial defence for murder.”

Father Kelly said discussions with the Attorney General’s department indicated the Bligh government was not prepared to go far enough to close the loophole.

“Given the failure of the Government to act, the petition is an opportunity for the Opposition Leader to take a positive step towards reducing discrimination and violence towards gay and lesbian people in Queensland,” said Father Kelly.

The LNP Member for Hervey Bay, Ted Sorensen, has promised Father Kelly he will take the issue to Parliament if the petition hits 10,000 signatures.

Change.org is the world’s fastest growing platform for social change, enabling anyone, anywhere to start, join and win campaigns for change in their community.

For updates on Father Kelly’s petition:
http://www.change.org/petitions/eliminate-the-gay-panic-defence-from-queensland-law-gaypanic

For more information on Change.org, please visit:
http://www.change.org/about