Controversial legal defense based on the theory that some men are prone to an uncontrollable, violent reaction when propositioned by a homosexual. It is often used in hate crimes against homosexuals as a means of raising mental health issues, thereby alleviating guilt. Obviously, the implications of this homophobic term are pretty horrific - in effect any physical attack on a homosexual could be excused as a moment of "gay panic". Famously, this defense was used in the Matthew Shepard case. Also homosexual panic.