Judy Shepard, mother of a 21-year-old University of Wyoming student who was tortured and murdered 12 years ago, will discuss hate crimes Tuesday, April 6, as keynote speaker for Minnesota State Mankato’s Eliminate Hate Week.
At 7 p.m. in the Centennial Student Union Ballroom, Shepard will talk about how the world has been transformed by her gay son’s murder. The presentation is free and open to students, faculty, staff and the public. Afterward Shepard will sign her 2009 book, The Meaning of Matthew.
In October 1998, 21-year-old Matthew Wayne Shepard was beaten, tied to a fence and left for dead on a cold night on the outskirts of Laramie, Wyo. He was found 18 hours later and rushed to the hospital, where he died after five days.
His death, motivated by anti-gay hatred, prompted tens of thousands of people around the world to organize and attend rallies in his memory. His two murderers were tried and each sentenced to two consecutive life prison terms.
Vowing to prevent others from suffering their son’s fate, Judy and her husband Dennis established the Matthew Shepard Foundation, dedicated to improving social justice, diversity awareness and education, and equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. Shepard’s memoir, The Meaning of Matthew, discusses the prosecution of Matthew’s assailants, media coverage and their continuing work to advance civil rights.
The event is sponsored by the LGBT Center, IMPACT, Women’s Center, Office of Institutional Diversity, Residence Hall Association, President’s Commission on Diversity, Center for Excellence in Teaching & Learning, and South Central MN Pride.
Those who want more information about the event may contact Jessica Flatequal at jessica.flatequal@mnsu.edu or visit www.mnsu.edu/lgbtc.
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