LGBTQ+ Panic Defense Prohibition Act of 2025

This legislation aims to amend federal law by prohibiting the use of a victim's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression as a defense in criminal proceedings. Specifically, it prevents nonviolent sexual advances or a defendant's perception of a victim's gender, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation from being used to excuse, justify, or mitigate the severity of an offense. This measure seeks to eliminate what are commonly known as panic defenses in federal courts, which Congress finds to be anachronistic and undermine justice. The bill includes a provision allowing for the admission of evidence regarding a defendant's prior trauma , in accordance with Federal Rules of Evidence, for the purpose of excusing, justifying, or mitigating conduct. Furthermore, it mandates that the Attorney General submit annual reports to Congress. These reports must detail federal prosecutions of capital and noncapital crimes committed against LGBTQ individuals that were motivated by the victim's gender, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation.