Let us remember Mathew Sheppard.....

[Scottie72]

On edit: fixed some wording

5 years ago on October 12th 1998 Mathew Sheppard lost his life, after being brutally beaten and left to die on a fence in Wyoming.

I think Matt father's statement to the court says it the best...


Dennis Shepard's Statements to the Court
November 4, 1999

Your honor, members of the Jury, Mr. Rerucha: I would like to begin my statement by addressing the jury. Ladies and gentlemen, a terrible crime was committed in Laramie thirteen months ago. Because of that crime, the reputation of the city of Laramie, the University of Wyoming, and the State of Wyoming became synonymous with gay bashing, hate crimes, and brutality. While some of this reputation may be deserved, it was blown out of proportion by our friends in the media. Yesterday you, the jury, showed the world that Wyoming and the city of Laramie will not tolerate hate crimes. Yes, this was a hate crime, pure and simple, with the added ingredient of robbery. My son Matthew paid a terrible price to open the eyes of all of us who live in Wyoming, the United States, and the world to the unjust and unnecessary fears, discrimination, and intolerance that members of the gay community face every day. Yesterday’s decision by you showed true courage and made a statement. That statement is that Wyoming is the Equality State; that Wyoming will not tolerate discrimination based on sexual orientation; that violence is not the solution. Ladies and gentlemen, you have the respect and admiration of Matthew’s family and friends and of countless strangers around the world. Be proud of what you have accomplished. You may have prevented another family from losing a son or daughter.


more: <http://www.matthewsplace.com/dennis2.htm>

[Rainbowreflect]

1. Thank you for reminding me of this.

I try to remember the good that came of this horrible crime. The compassion so many people showed. But it saddens me how quickly people forget what should never be forgotten.

[Scottie72]

2. The saddest part is....

national marriage week bull-crap starts this week. (You can bet this was no coincidence.) It is just feels a huge slap in the face from the bush administration.

[La_Serpiente]

3. Not to mention

The Log Cabin Republicans haven't said anything...Their website has been really really quiet.

[Skittles]

8. it's just bush pandering to his homophobic base

typical disgusting republican tactics.

[LeftPeopleFinishFirst]

4. He'll always be remembered

Thanks for sharing this.

[Democrats unite]

5. Always have a candle lit

eom

[JohnKleeb]

6. I remember this a little

What a terrible crime. Isn't it just sad about the division in history overall.

Hard to believe that when my parents were kids and many of you were too that the schools were segerated.
Hard to believe it was just 1920 when women got the right to vote.
Hard to believe that only since 1973 have women had the right to choose
Hard to believe life in general at times
Sorry for the poetic stuff guys.

[eileen_d]

7. Thank you so much

That is a great statment, and the fact that it was made by someone who had just experienced a horrible loss makes it even greater. As someone who lives in a town like Laramie I will never forget Mathew Shepard.

[Scottie72]

9. Re-reading that statement today....

brought me to tears, I had to stop several times before I was able to go on. It brought back all the feelings that I had during that terrible week were I just wanted to cry all the time.

[Sapphocrat]

10. I remember Matt every day...

But sometimes I need to re-read his father's words, to remind me all over again why I can't advocating killing even such monsters as his murderers.

Thanks for posting this, Scottie.