THE MATTHEW SHEPARD FOUNDATION
The Matthew Shepard Foundation is a national non-profit organization that was founded by Dennis and Judy Shepard in December 1998. Established in memory of their 21-year old son who was murdered in an anti-gay hate crime, the Foundation carries out Matthew Shepard's legacy by supporting educational projects, activities, and documentaries that raise awareness of the issues involving discrimination and diversity. Judy Shepard is currently serving as its Executive Director. Through her annual series of speaking engagements, Judy is sharing Matthew's values of respect and dignity for all. The goal of the Matthew Shepard Foundation is to educate and replace hate with understanding, acceptance and compassion. Through outreach, advocacy and resources, the Foundation strives to effect positive change, advocating for full equality for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans.
Thirteen years after Matthew Shepard’s tragic death, Judy Shepard shared her thoughts on her experience since then and what the Foundation created in Matthew’s memory has meant to her:
“In the painful months that followed Matt's death, we came to understand a lot of things we never knew before: about hate crimes, and how shockingly many there were every year; how they are characterized by obvious signs, like excessive violence, and the denial that surrounds them; and how hard they were to prove, and prosecute, and appropriately punish, with sensitivity to the victim's loved ones and the wider community.”
“We learned about the LGBT community and its long struggle for acceptance and equality. We learned how easily LGBT people could be fired from their jobs just for being themselves, how they couldn't serve their country openly, couldn't marry, couldn't adopt kids in some states. And most of all, we learned about the fear so many otherwise good people had in their hearts about their gay neighbors, coworkers and family members.”
“We set about creating a legacy for Matt. He had always been interested in politics, human rights and LGBT equality—he had in fact been at a Coming Out Week meeting at the University of Wyoming on his last night. With the support and sympathy of the thousands who wrote us and the millions who were touched by his death, we decided to try to make a difference in his name.”
“Thirteen years later, the Matthew Shepard Foundation stands up for the LGBT community and its straight allies, in Matt's memory. We are a modest organization, but we do our part and persuade others to do theirs, as well. We pushed—for a long, long time—for federal hate crime legislation that includes LGBT people. That finally happened in another chilly October two years ago—one more step forward. We go to schools and companies and community groups to implore everyone there to embrace diversity. We try to give young people hope, despite their parents' or peers' rejection of them, that they have a bright future. We keep Matt's story alive and look to turn bystanders into activists."
FOR FURTHER STUDY
Visit the foundation’s website for more information or to make a donation: www.matthewshepard.org.
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