The Grim and Long History of The Panic Defense Particularly W/Shia LaBeouf Arrest
LaBeouf was booked on 17 February on two counts of simple battery after he allegedly shouted homophobic slurs and punched multiple people at the R Bar in New Orleans’s Marigny neighborhood (Getty) Written by Emily Maskell Pink News After recent claims from actor Shia LaBeouf, the phrase ‘gay and trans panic defence’ has been brought into the spotlight. But what does the term mean, and how has it been historically used? In an interview last month, LaBeouf attempted to defend his alleged use of homophobic slurs following his recent arrest for battery. In doing so, the 39-year-old claimed that “big gay people are scary” to him. “When I’m standing by myself and three gay dudes are next to me, touching my leg, I get scared. I’m sorry. If that’s homophobic then I’m that,” he said. The actor continued to suggest that he didn’t want to be too close to a gay person. “I’m good with gay — be gay over there, though,” he said. “Don’t be gay in my lap.” Following his s...
