Lawmakers are considering a bill that would create new protections for people based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
The shocking murder of Matthew Shepard in 1998 was a watershed moment for many people, a moment in time that changed how people felt about homophobia and threats based on sexual orientation. His mother, Judy Shepard, is asking lawmakers here in Virginia to abolish the panic defense, which her son's assailants attempted to use in court to escape legal justice by claiming their victim's sexual orientation was to blame for their violent actions.
"And it subjects LGBTQ+ individuals to violence two times over," Shepard explained. "First in the terrible physical and psychological suffering that they endure at the hands of their assailants, and again in an outdated legal system that denies equal justice."
Delegate Danica Roem introduced a bill to abolish the panic defense in Virginia. And when lawmakers were working through a technical change to the bill, Delegate Mike Mullin asked Roem this...
"Sounds like everyone’s in favor of it. Delegate Roem, are you alright," Mullin asked Roem.
"Other than being emotionally crushed by having to think back to being 14 years old and being scared to come out because of Matthew's murder," Roem responded. "Other than that, yeah, I'm very OK right now, if not completely devastated and heartbroken."
The bill passed a House subcommittee, which means it'll be considered by the House Courts of Justice before heading to the House floor.
This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.
