Judy Mom of Matthew Sheppard Asks From One Mom to Another on His Anniversary of Killing to Amy Coney

 

A mom's job is to stand up for her son, and one Wyoming mom continues to speak out for her child 22 years after his death. Judy Shepard has a message — from one mom to another — for Amy Coney Barrett, the Supreme Court nominee whose confirmation hearings began today.

Judy's son Matthew was killed in 1998 when he was tied to a defense and beaten to death by homophobic people in the small town of Laramie, Wyoming. His death became a rallying cry for acceptance and love to gay men and women, and his mom and dad have worked hard through the Matthew Shepard Foundation to speak out for gay rights and equality. 

The anniversary of Matthew's death came just earlier this month, and now Judy is speaking out again to urge love and acceptance — and equality. In an MSNBC interview, Judy said she fears that the work to ensure gay rights will be wiped out with the confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett, a conservative judge that would replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the United States' highest court.

 

Who Are Amy Coney Barrett's Children?

Judy said that she believes that the Supreme Court seat should be decided after the upcoming election, and she added that she worried for all marginalized communities with the appointment. 

Matthew was 21 when he died 22 years ago, so his parents have been fighting for him longer since his death than while he was alive.

As a parent, Judy said that she hoped that Barrett would accept her own children for who they are, just like she did for her son. She said that all mothers — all humans — are working for acceptance and a good life for their kids.

In a June decision, the Supreme Court ruled that the 1964 Civil Rights Act provides protections for gay, lesbian, and transgender people from discrimination, according to NPR. The ruling was a major victory for equal rights, yet recent comments from justices have made gay rights advocates worry that with another conservative justice on the bench, the Supreme Court would change its stance on gay marriage, according to another NPR article. 

Barrett is a mother of seven children, ranging in age from 8 to 19, according to The Sun. Two of her children were adopted from Haiti and one has special needs. Judy Shepard might have different politics than the judge, but she is hoping that they can reach common ground as mothers