Matthew Shepard

Today, 13 years ago, a young college student from my hometown, Lararmie, Wyoming, died after being brutally beaten and tied to a fence. His name was Matthew Shepard and he was killed for being gay. This forever changed the world's outlook on my town and my state. Matthew Shepard has been one of the most visible deaths in gay history. I hope we have learned from the horrific attrocity. Things are better in some ways and some things are worse for wear. On a global political scale, I am optimistic are better today as opposed to 13 years ago. The GLBTQ community is more accepted and huge recognized part of pop culture. Still the large laundry list of gay teen suicides are staggering. I pray that as time passes there will be more loving parents and peers, classmates, and friends who shelter and love our GLBTQ friends and allow them to be free.  

I was 11 when Matthew was attacked and died. My mother was horrified by the affair. At the time we were attending the Unitarian Universalist Church, which held a vigil for Matt. It's a clear memory in my mind, holding a candle and trying to understand why such a thing would happen in our town.

I never knew Matt, I was too young to probably meet him despite being in the same town. Nonetheless, my life has changed in countless ways since Matt died. And though it might sound strange, I owe him so much for those changes. Yes, I was growing up but I know personally, "Matt" as an issue, helped steer me towards the University of Wyoming Rainbow Resource Center and Laramie's GLBTQ Community, where I met some of my very best and most cherished friends. Matt's horrific death personally affected who I chose as friends as I grew up. I remember being disgusted by some classmates at the time discussing it with the tact that only a group of preteens could. How they stood on this issue changed who I viewed as decent.

Because of Matt, I knew that I never wanted to judge and view others as anything but people first. I don’t want look at someone and see them as gay, straight, disabled, Republican, hispanic, or Muslim. I see them as a person first and foremost; the rest is just insignificant differences, since we have much more in common than anything that separates or divides us. I like learning about people, and valuing their experiences. To give everyone the dignity and respect they deserve as a human being.

Matt’s murder taught me how important it is to stand up for those who can’t. To speak out for those who have been silenced through fear or through violence. For the changes he’s brought about in my life, in Wyoming, and in the hearts and minds of people across the country and around the globe. Please think of Matt today.