Delaware

Delaware Becomes 17th State to Outlaw ‘Gay and Trans Panic’ Defense

Published

1 year ago

October 2, 2023

Delaware Becomes 17th State to Outlaw ‘Gay and Trans Panic’ Defense

Delaware has become the 17^th state to ban the “gay and trans panic” defense.

Gov. John Carney signed a bill to this effect into law September 24. It states in part, “In any prosecution or sentencing for an offense, a defendant is not justified in using force against another based on the discovery of, knowledge or belief about, or the potential or actual disclosure of the victim’s actual or perceived sexual orientation, sex, gender, gender identity, or sex assigned at birth.”

State Rep. Eric Morrison, a gay man, was chief sponsor of the bill in the House of Representatives, and Sen. Sarah McBride, a transgender woman, was primary sponsor in the Senate. Delaware’s other LGBTQ+ legislators, Reps. Marie Pinkney, DeShanna Neal, and Kerri Evelyn Harris, were involved in the effort as well, as was Equality Delaware.

Much of the work to pass the bill centered on educating legislators, Morrison tells The Advocate. “Many of them were absolutely shocked that this existed,” he says. “Once you educated them about that, they said this is outrageous.”

The panic defense seeks to justify a defendant’s action on the basis that the defendant lashed out due to being deeply upset about nonforcible sexual advances from or sexual contact with an LGBTQ+ person. It hasn’t been used a lot in Delaware, but Morrison says he knows of at least five instances. It’s hard to track because it’s usually used as a secondary defense in conjunction with a plea of self-defense or insanity, he says.

“Gay and trans panic defenses are rooted in antiquated ideas that being LGBTQ is a mental illness, and rely on the assumption that it is reasonable for a perpetrator to react violently to discovering the victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity or to a romantic advance by an LGBTQ victim,” notes a 2021 report from the Williams Institute, a think tank on LGBTQ+ issues at the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Law. “Since the 1960s, the gay and trans panic defenses have appeared in publicly reported court opinions in approximately one-half of the states.”

The Delaware bill had widespread support in both chambers of the legislature, Morrison says, but a question arose in the House about why it didn’t address panic defenses involving other aspects of a victim’s identity, such as race or religion. But the panic defense is specifically an LGBTQ+ issue, he says, and he and others sought to keep the spotlight on LGBTQ+ people.

Another state that banned the defense recently was New Hampshire, where Gov. Chris Sununu signed that bill into law in August. In addition to the 17 states, the District of Columbia has banned it.

Ten years ago, the American Bar Association passed a resolution saying all states and the federal government should outlaw the defense. Legislation has been introduced at the federal level but has not advanced.

Delaware has been a leader in pro-LGBTQ+ legislation, having been an early adopter of marriage equality and civil rights protections for trans people. But this is the first pro-LGBTQ+ law it enacted since 2018, when it barred licensed professionals from subjecting minors to conversion therapy.

Pictured: Delaware Sen. Sarah McBride and Rep. Eric Morrison

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Delaware

Bob Dylan’s ex-wife is from Delaware? He has family history with the First State

Published

9 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Bob Dylan’s ex-wife is from Delaware? He has family history with the First State

Bob Dylan’s new biopic, “A Complete Unknown,” is a reminder that an ex-wife of the music legend is from Delaware, although she doesn’t appear to be in the film.

But more than that, Dylan, who is now 83, has also performed in the Small Wonder multiple times, and his son has gigged here, too.”A Complete Unknown” hits theaters Christmas Day. Whether or not you plan to see the film, here’s a look at Dylan’s history with Delaware.

Bob Dylan takes Firefly record from Paul McCartney

Most Delawareans probably recall Dylan’s last concert in the First State, held at Firefly Music Festival in The Woodlands of Dover on June 17, 2017. Dylan became the oldest performer to headline the festival at age 76, a title previously held by Sir Paul McCartney, who played Firefly on June 19, 2015, just one day after his 73rd birthday.

Bob Dylan’s ex-wife Sara Dylan is from Delaware

Just like Dylan’s new movie is titled “A Complete Unknown,” very little is “known” about his ex-wife Sara Dylan. But we do know she was born in Wilmington as Shirley Noznisky and married the folk legend in 1965. The couple divorced in 1977, according to People.com. The pair had four children together, including The Wallflowers frontman Jakob Dylan and director Jesse Dylan.His ex-wife inspired songs such as “Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands” from Bob Dylan’s landmark double-album “Blonde on Blonde” and “Sara” from 1976’s “Desire.”

Sara Dylan was directed by Bob Dylan in his movie

Sara Dylan played the role of Clara in the 1978 film that Bob directed and starred in titled “Renaldo and Clara.” The film is described on IMDB as “Bob Dylan on tour with the Rolling Thunder Revue in 1975; concert footage, documentary interviews and bizarre improvised character scenes.”

Jakob Dylan followed in Bob Dylan’s Delaware footsteps

Like father like son, Jakob Dylan’s band The Wallflowers also performed on the main stage at Firefly (although they didn’t headline it as the elder Dylan did). But Jakob has bragging rights for being the first Dylan in the family to play Firefly because he was there in the festival’s inaugural year, which is the first and only year it was held in July. The Wallflowers played Firefly on opening day: July 20, 2012.

Bob Dylan played other Delaware concerts before Firefly

Although Firefly was Dylan’s biggest concert in the First State, it certainly wasn’t his first rodeo here. The superstar graced the stage at the Bob Carpenter Center in Newark on Nov. 20, 1999, and April 12, 2013. Sandwiched between those shows, he played a concert at the legendary Kahunaville in Wilmington on June 8, 2004, per Setlist.fm.

What is Bob Dylan’s ‘A Complete Unknown’ about?

“A Complete Unknown” is a biopic about Bob Dylan starring Timothée Chalamet and Elle Fanning. The film follows Dylan’s four key years from 1961-1965. According to IMDB’s cast list, it looks like Sara Dylan isn’t featured in the film.

The project includes footage shot nearby in Cape May, New Jersey, this past May. Vintage cars took over the streets for the film, and signage changed the Jersey city into the scene of the 1965 Newport Folk Festival in Rhode Island.

That Folk Festival scene was inspired by Dylan’s historic moment when he famously flipped the script and played an electric set at the festival, a move that was met with a chorus of boos from the crowd, History.com reported.

Where can I watch Bob Dylan’s ‘A Complete Unknown?’

For theater locations, visit fandango.com.

News Journal reporter Ryan Cormier contributed to this report, and so did Kaitlyn McCormick of the Cherry Hill Courier-Post, a sister publication of The News Journal.

If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters.

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Delaware

Fire heavily damages logistics business in Newark, Delaware

Published

17 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Fire heavily damages logistics business in Newark, Delaware – CBS Philadelphia

Watch CBS News

Fire ripped through a logistics business in Newark, Delaware Tuesday afternoon.
Chopper 3 was over Main Street around 2 p.m.
Firefighters arrived to find flames shooting from the two-story building that was heavily damaged.
No one was injured.

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Delaware

What time does Walmart close and what are grocery store hours on Christmas Eve in Delaware?

Published

1 day ago

December 24, 2024

Press Room

What time does Walmart close and what are grocery store hours on Christmas Eve in Delaware?

Christmas has arrived, which for millions of Americans means gathering with family and friends to celebrate the holiday.

Most grocery, retail and restaurant chains will remain open on Christmas Eve, albeit with adjusted hours, and most will shut their doors on Christmas Day.

If you need to make a last-minute run to the grocery store to pick up something for your holiday gathering, Walmart will be an option for you this year, as the company told USA TODAY their stores will be open on Dec. 24 until 6 p.m.

Walmart stores will be closed on Dec. 25, the company confirmed to USA TODAY.

What grocery stores are open on Christmas Eve?

In addition to Walmart, the following grocery stores will be open on Christmas Eve. Hours are listed for the companies that provided them.

Acme closing at 6 p.m.
Aldi closing at 4 p.m.
BJ’s Wholesale Club closing at 6 p.m.
Costco closing at 5 p.m.
Food Lion closing at 6 p.m.
Giant/Super G stores closing at 6 p.m., pharmacies at 4 p.m.
Harris Teeter closing at 7 p.m.
Meijer, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Publix closing at 7 p.m.
Redner’s closing at 5 p.m.
Safeway closing at 6 p.m.
Sam’s Club closing at 6 p.m.
ShopRite; First State and Brandywine stores close at 6 p.m. Christina Crossing store closes at 4 p.m.
Sprouts closing at 7 p.m.
Whole Foods closing at 7 p.m.
Trader Joe’s closing at 5 p.m.
Wegman’s closing at 6 p.m.
Winn-Dixie closing at 9 p.m.

What retail stores are open on Christmas Eve?

In addition to Walmart, the following retail stores will be open on Christmas Eve. Hours are listed for the companies that provided them.

Kohl’s: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
TJ Maxx: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
HomeGoods: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Marshall’s: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
JCPenney: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Home Depot: Stores will close at 5 p.m.
Lowe’s: Stores will close at 6 p.m.
Ace Hardware
REI: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Bass Pro Shop: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cabela’s: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sephora
Burlington: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Belk: Regular stores and outlet stores attached to regular stores will be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Other Belk outlets will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Big Lots: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Dollar General: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Ikea: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Staples: Stores will close at 6 p.m.
Office Depot: Stores will close at 5 p.m.
OfficeMax: Stores will close at 5 p.m.
PetSmart: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
PetCo: Stores will close at 7 p.m.
Target: Stores will close at 8 p.m.
Tractor Supply Co.: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com. Ben Mace from the Delaware News Journal contributed to this story. Reach him at rmace@gannett.com.

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