Matthew Shepard Update Discussion List Newly formed on 10/16/98 on onelist.com. Subscribe today and view the archives also!! Need an HTML fragment to get others to subscribe, email me:Rodney Allen Bell, II
MATTHEW SHEPARD UPDATE # 1 10/13/98
The UNL Gay/Lesbian Alumni/ae Assoc., Inc. and Lambda Midwest wish to
send warm thoughts for the parents of Matthew Shepard and wish this
despicable incident never happened. The impetus of this crime may lead
to some great things in America. It's up to all of us to make a
difference. Matthew's spirit is now with God and his holy angels.
Many of you are wondering what can I do, I am only one person? One
person can do lots. There will be tips on writing emails, letters,
donating funds, visiting web sites, sending flowers to memorialize this
death, wearing of ribbons, holding candle light vigils, writing poetry,
expressing your grief on message boards, signing an online petition for
enacting hate crime legislation in Wyoming and contacting our government
officials to influence the passage of Hate Crime Legislation for all of
America. There is no limit to the creativity of ideas that can make this
tragedy into a powerful message to the American people.
MEMORIALS AND VIGLS FOR MATT:
===================================================================
Matthew's Funeral:
Matthew's funeral will take place at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 701 W.
Walcott, Casper, WY 82601 on Friday, Oct. 16, at 1:30 PM.
This is the message that the Gay/Lesbian Union at U Wyoming gave to
the students and faculty, inviting them to wear a yellow arm bad with
three green circles at the top and bottom:
The Green Circle is the
international sign of peace. The
yellow background is a symbol
in the tradition of the yellow
ribbons distributed in response
to the Oklahoma City Bombing,
speaking of the intolerance we
have toward violence.
Please display this ribbon,
anywhere and everywhere, as
an armband, on your backpack,
etc., as a display of your
intolerance of this disgusting,
abhorrent act of incivility toward
Matthew Shepard.
We wear this armband in a
unified, nonviolent
demonstration of our values as
UW students and the UW
community against any and all
acts of violence and disrespect
toward any other human being.
======================================================================
Flowers for Matt
From: Richard Brown horned@ssnet.com
Date: Sun, 11 Oct 1998 12:23:32 -0400 (EDT)
Friends,
I think it might be well, as I've written to the national orgs [there is
no PFLAG listed for Wyoming] to send flowers directly to Matt Shepard
c/of the governor's office. A huge mass of flowers with media attention
can send a powerful message.
You can send flowers by phone by FTD or other wire florists to:
Matt Shepard
c/o Governor Jim Geringer
Governor's Office
Wyoming State Capitol
Cheyenne, WY 82002
The Governor's email is: governor@missc.state.wy.us
I have written the governor to tell him that we are moving in this
direction to support Matt, his family and all his allies in Wyoming.
PLEASE FORWARD TO ALL YOUR LISTS AND MEDIA CONTACTS
Richard Brown
horned@ssnet.com
913 Rockmoss Ave.
Newark, DE 19711
302-366-1805
=====================================================================
Betty Degeneres Note on Vigil 10/14/98 in Washington, DC::
NC8247: Note from Betty DeGeneres
There will be a vigil on the steps of the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on
Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 6 p.m. to honor Matthew Shepard.
Betty DeGeneres wrote: Anne, Ellen and I are flying there for it and want
as many people as can
possibly get there to take part -- gay people, straight people, families
--everyone with love and acceptance of their fellow man in their hearts.
This is to honor the brief life of Matthew Shepard.
Thanks, Betty DeGeneres
====================================================================
Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1998 16:22:23 -0500
From: Mary Renee Smith mojo@ksu.edu
Subject: Remembering Matthew Shepard: Manhattan, KS
The tragic death of Matthew Shepard as a result of a hate crime has
shocked us all.
There will be a community-wide candlelight service sponsored by BGLS
on Thursday, October 15th at 6pm in All-Faiths Chapel. This service will
give us all the opportunity to join with others on the campus and in the
city to unite against violence and hatred.
=====================================================================
Memorial Mass for Matthew Shepard on 10-18-98 Chicago, IL
For more information, send email to BishopJAW@aol.com
************FORWARDED BY REQUEST*****************
From: BishopJAW@aol.com
Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1998 13:54:58 EDT
Subject: Memorial Mass for Matthew Shepard on 10-18-98
The Office of the Bishop
The Diocese of the Northwest
A memorial Mass will be celebrated for Matthew Shepard by The Most Rev.
James Alan Wilkowski, bishop of the Northwest Diocese of the Independent
Evangelical Catholic Church, on Sunday, October 18, 1988, at the Church of the Holy
Family at Grace Place - 637 South Deaborn Street in the South Loop Printers Row
neighborhood, at 1:00 PM.
For additional information, please call 773-721-5383 or 773-769-4263
or email to BishopJAW@aol.com
=======================================================================
Memorial Service in Springfield, Illinois
From: RevJML@aol.com
Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1998 13:02:37 EDT
Subject: COMMUNITY RESPONSE TO GAY HATE CRIME IN WYOMING
By now, most of us are aware of of the savage hate crime that resulted
in the beating death in Wyoming of Matt Shepard. This crime, this explosive
expression of hatred, is being met with responses from across the country,
and central Illinois is no exception.
The Springfield religious community is organizing under the direction of
Rev. Mary Moore of the Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, a
memorial service for Wednesday, October 14, at 5:30 PM, in the park area
immediately behind city hall. Representatives from various faith
communities are expected to participate. This service, while not meant to be
political, will make a statement that this kind of hatred will not be tolerated in
central Illinois. It will further affirm the belief - indeed the truth --
that all people, regardless of sexual orientation, are worthy people of
dignity and beloved of God.
You are urged to support this effort by your presence at the service on
Wednesday, and by calling friends and alerting them to this event. One
event will surely not end the kind of savagery that befell Mr. Shepard, but if
one heart is opened, if one mind is touched, if one life is saved, then this
service will be of great value.
PLEASE: Publicize and support this event. Wednesday, Oct. 14 5:30 PM,
City Hall Park
Thanks,
Rev. Jim Lynch
Pastor, FEMCC
====================================================================
Source: Ben Roussel broussel@students.wisc.edu WISCONSIN VIGIL
Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1998 11:50:53 -0500
Subject: Candlelight Vigil for death of Mathew Shepard
Post as widely as the Hell we live in and call EVERYONE you know!!!>
***Campus Action Alert***
Attention all queers and queer rights supporters. Tomorrow, Tuesday,
Oct. 13, at 8pm at Library Mall, the Queer Student Alliance will be sponsoring
a candlelight vigil to mourn the death of gay-bash victim, Mathew Shepard.
Matthew Shepard, age 22, was a student at the University of Wyoming
majoring in political science and a gay rights activist. Last Tuesday
night, he was kidnapped by 2 male assailants who proceded to tie him to a
fence, crush his skull with a club and burn him alive...he was found 18
hours later by two motorcyclists who stated they thought at first he was
a scarecrow given the way he was tied to the fence. Shepard was then
transported to a hospital and was officially declared dead this morning
after one week of his attack. We would like to strongly encourage all of
you to attend this vigil as an expression of your support against the
common plague of anti-gay hate crime violence in this nation and to raise
awareness that our college campuses are not at all immune to this sort of
behavior. Proceeding the vigil there will be a march to the capital
where we will speak out against such violence and then we will procede to
deliver a shrine to the door-step of Rep. Scott Klug's office urging him to vote
in favor and support the Hate Crimes Act currently facing congress. Please
come out and show your support. Thank you.
-Ben Roussel
=======================================================================
Subject: Press Conference in Laramie on Tuesday
MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Mike Massie, Wyoming State Representative (D-Laramie)
phone: (307) 766-5096
Cathy Renna, GLAAD Director of Community Relations
cell: (202) 957-8317
pager: (917) 240-3710
LOCAL AND NATIONAL GROUPS CALL FOR HATE CRIME LEGISLATION
FOLLOWING BRUTAL WYOMING MURDER
PRESS CONFERENCE TO PRECEDE PRELIMINARY HEARING OF SUSPECTS
LARAMIE, WY, MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1998-On Tuesday, October 13,
Wyoming State Representative Wende Barker (D-Laramie);
spokespersons from statewide and national lesbian, gay, bisexual
and transgender organizations including the Gay & Lesbian Alliance
Against Defamation (GLAAD) and the National Gay and Lesbian Task
Force (NGLTF); and a close friend of Matthew Shepard, who died
early this morning after having been viciously attacked, stabbed,
burned and left for dead last week in an anti-gay attack, will
speak out on the desperate need for hate crimes legislation on
the state and federal levels. The press conference will be held
just prior to the preliminary hearing of the alleged attackers at
the Albany County Courthouse.
"Because of homophobic attitudes, every attempted bias crime
bill so far to be proposed in the state legislature has been
blocked," said State Representative Mike Massie (D-Laramie).
"The viciousness of the attack on Matt clearly shows how critical
this kind of legislation is. The attack was fueled by the kind of
ignorance and intolerance that we as Americans must condemn in
the strongest terms possible."
Matt's close friend Hauva Manookin added, "As devastated as we
are by this tragedy, we know this embodies Matt's commitment to
justice and human rights. I hope that hate crimes legislation
will be passed so that some sense can come from this tragedy."
WHO:
Wyoming State Representative Wende Barker, Walt Boulden of
United Gays and Lesbians of Wyoming, National Gay and Lesbian
Task Force Field Organizer Dan Hawes, GLAAD Director of Community
Relations Cathy Renna and University of Wyoming Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual and Transgender Association Treasurer Hauva Manookin
WHAT:
Press conference of statewide and national organizations on the
desperate need for state and national hate crime legislation
WHEN:
Tuesday, October 13, 1998 at 12:30 p.m.
WHERE:
Albany County Courthouse,
Grand Ave. between 5th and 6th Sts. (Laramie)
Courthouse Rotunda, 2nd Floor
For more information about hate crimes legislation, please
visit the website of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
(NGLTF), located online at: http://www.ngltf.org, or contact
Tracey Conaty, NGLTF Communications Director at (202) 332-6483 x3303,
pager 1-800-757-6476.
=====================================================================
Matthew Shepard Vigil San Francisco, CA
RALLY FOR MATTHEW SHEPARD
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, NOON ON LOWER SPROUL
CANDLE LIGHT VIGIL
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 8PM ON UPPER SPROUL
As some of you may have already heard, Matthew Shepard, a 21 year old gay
student at the University of Wyoming, was beaten last week by two fellow
students. The attack has been described as a hate crime-that Matthew was
a target because he was gay. This morning, Matthew Shepard died.
Many of us on campus are shocked and saddened, and want to show our
support and voice our sentiments. So we are holding a rally/speakout in Matthew
Shepard's memory on Wednesday, October 14 at noon on lower Sproul Plaza.
It will be an opportunity for all of us to share our feelings surrounding
Matthew's death and violence against queers in general. I hope all of you
will be able to attend.
Also, we will have a candle light vigil that night at 8pm on upper
Sproul. (Please bring candles if you have them)
======================================================================
Something that you might consider reading and maybe reading at a
vigil or other gathering is this piece by Carol McNeely Co-List Owner
Lambda Midwest songofjoy3@juno.com :
A TRIBUTE FOR MATTHEW October 12,1998
My heart has broken with the death of matthew that I am sure most of you
have heard about the last few days so this morning I wrote this tribute.
I just feel the need to share it. thanks. carol
Your picture flashed across tv screens around the world-
A handsome young man with a radiant smile.
Surely, this could not have happened-we were shocked in disbelief-
How could anyone create such horrendous grief?
Matthew, I am sure when you started that day,
anticipating a night of fun with trusted friends,
Innocently getting into the truck-
You didn't know it was the beginning of the end.
No one there to hear your pain,
as they maimed and hurt you so-
Matthew, my spirit grieves for the horror they did to you.
You died today-
and when you did-the nation grieved for you,
but matthew your spirit will live on because of who you were.
I am proud that you were one of us,
your spirit will shine through!
Let us bind ourselves together our hearts in one accord,
To save and love our "family"
Gay, lesbian and proud!
=====================================================================
Source: Kevyn Jacobs kevyn@EARTHLING.NET
Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1998 12:58:58 +0000
Subject: We Shall Overcome
I post this old freedom hymn in memory of Matthew Shepherd. It might come
in useful at the candlelight vigils tonight. Matthew: your sacrifice and
courage will not be forgotten.
=================================
We Shall Overcome
We shall overcome,
We shall ovenome,
We shall overcome some day.
Oh, deep in my heart (I know that)
I do believe: We shall overcome some day.
We`ll walk hand in hand
We`ll walk hand in hand
We`ll walk hand in hand some day.
Oh, deep in my heart (I know that)
I do believe: We shall overcome some day.
We shall live in peace
We shall live in peace
We shall live in peace some day.
Oh, deep in my heart (I know that)
I do believe: We shall overcome some day.
We are not afraid
We are not afraid
We are not afraid to-day
Oh, deep in my heart (I know that)
I do believe: We shall overcome some day.
We shall all be free
We shall all be free
We shall all be free some day.
Oh, deep in my heart (I know that)
I do believe: We shall overcome some day.
We are not alone
We are not alone
We are not alone to-day.
Oh, deep in my heart (I know that)
I do believe: We shall overcome some day.
======================================================================
Source: UfmccHq@aol.com
Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1998 18:04:08 EDT
Subject: Community Resources for Interfaith Vigils to Honor Matthew
Shepard
A Resource Kit Prepared
by the Universal Fellowship
of Metropolitan Community Churches
Resources for A Community-Wide Anti-Violence Prayer Vigil Honoring the Life of Matthew Shephard.
Working for Justice for All People.
NOTE: You are authorized to reproduce and redistribute these materials,
and to use them in whole or in part, at no cost.
Call to Worship/Gathering
One: There are some who hurl taunts, threats and words of hate against
us.
Many: But we will not be silenced.
One: They use fists, weapons and acts of violence to try to keep us
down.
Many: But we will not go away.
One: They exclude us from civil rights protections and fail to enact
laws to keep us safe.
Many: If we were silent, the very rocks and stones would cry out for
justice.
One: We say, "No life should ever be sacrificed to intolerance.
"Many: We say no life should ever be silenced by injustice.
One: Each human life is precious.
Many: Each human path is sacred.
One: Creator of Us All, be with us now. Nurture within us an abiding
respect for one another. Dwell within us in deep peace. Remove from our hearts
all that leans towards violence and hatred and replace it with a passion for
justice and peace. Where we are afraid, O God, strengthen us. Where we
are hurt, heal us. May your voice cry out from the rocks and stones, from our
hearts and minds, calling for justice, for peace and for unity. Amen.
Welcome
We are gathered here to honor the life and memory of Matthew Shepard and
all those who who have died in hate-motivated acts of violence. We still
live in a world in which differences are feared and where lesbian, gay, bisexual
and transgendered people are all too regularly attacked and murdered for the
simple fact of who we are.
We have gathered today to acknowledge our loss, our grief and our
frustrations, and to gather strength, hope and courage from one another.
May
Matthew's life be an inspiration for us; may his death be a catalyst for change in our world.
Music
Invite a local GLBT chorus or the choir of a GLBT-friendly house of worship to provide an appropriate musical selection.
Readings
Ask readers of various faiths to bring a reading from their tradition
that speaks to them on this occasion. Here are some suggestions to get you
started.
Quetzalcoatl
Offer only lovely things on my altars--
the bread of life, and jewels, and feathers, and flowers.
Let the streams of life flow in peace.
Turn from violence.
Learn to think for a long time how to change this world,
how to make it better to live in.
All the people in the world ought to talk about it
and speak well of it always.
Then it will last forever,
and the flowers will bloom forever,
and I will come to you again.
The Buddha
The thought manifests as the word;
The word manifests as the deed;
The deed develops into habit;
And habit hardens into character.
so watch the thought and its ways with care,
And let it spring from love
Born of concern for all beings.
Jesus
And one of them, a lawyer, asked Jesus a question, to test him. "Teacher,
which is the greatest commandment in the law?" And Jesus answered, "You
shall love the Sovereign your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,
and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a
second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two
commandment depend all the law and the prophets." (Matthew 22:35-40)
Hebrew Scriptures
Let justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an everflowing stream. (Amos 5:24)
Speakers
Invite members of the community, leaders in the church or of a local
anti-violence project, and/or a member of PFLAG, to speak. You may wish to
have several speakers, with music or readings between each speaker. It would
be very appropriate to have a speaker eulogize Matthew, helping us to focus
on his life, as well as the circumstances of his death.
Speakers may wish to focus on the status of hate-crimes legislation in
your area, what community members can do, and how to be mobilized, not
paralyzed, by the events of this past week.
Music:
"Something Inside So Strong" or use an alternative selection.
A Moment of Silence
Let us remember those who preach hatred and who fail to see that the
violence of their words leads to violence in actions. We acknowledge that they,
too, are wounded by their own fears and prejudices. For their sake, and for
ours, we call upon them to cease their outpouring of rhetoric and instead to
preach justice and love for all of God's children.
Pause for a moment of silence
Let us remember those in the legislatures and executive offices in our
nation and our states who have allowed bills to languish or who have blocked the
passage of laws designed to protect those who are victims of hate crimes.
We acknowledge that they, too, are left vulnerable without these
protections. For their sake, and for ours, we call upon them to act to protect the
lives and civil rights of each citizen in their jurisdictions.
Pause for a moment of silence
Let us remember our own inactions, for times when we have not advocated
on our own behalf for laws that would protect us and others and for times when
we have not acted to stop injustice against another. We acknowledge that
until all are safe, none of us are safe; until all are free, none of us are
free. For their sake, and for ours, we call upon each other to renew our
commitment to work for justice in our land and in our lives.
Pause for a moment of silence
Let us remember those who live with deep fear in their hearts, who live
with hatred and who believe that violence is the answer to their problems. We
acknowledge that when they act in hatred, their lives, too, are destroyed
and their futures erased. For their sake, and for ours, we call upon them to
be transformed, to let love rule where violence once flourished.
Pause for a moment of silence
Let us remember the families of those who commit hate crimes, who must
live with the knowledge of violent acts committed by someone they love. We
acknowledge that their lives, too, are devastated and their hopes dashed.
For their sake, and for ours, we remember that pain goes in many directions
from each act of violence.
Pause for a moment of silence
Let us remember all who have been harmed by violence, who have known the
terror at the other end of a hate-filled word or an upraised fist. We
acknowledge the strength of those who survived and the long road to
healing. For their sake, and for ours, we commit ourselves to building each other
up and to healing, together.
Pause for a moment of silence
Let us remember all who have lost their lives to hate-motivated violence,
who have spent their final moments in fear and pain. We acknowledge the
beauty and preciousness of their lives, and our loss that they are no longer
among us. For their sake, and for ours, we commit ourselves to working to
create a world in which differences are valued and lives are held sacred.
Pause for a moment of silence [you may want to read the names of those
lost locally to hate-motivated violence and light candles for them at this
time]
Let us remember the lovers and families and loved ones of those who have
died in hate-related crimes. We especially remember the family of Matt
Shepard. We acknowledge their pain and their deep grief. For their sake, and for
ours, let us always remember that they, too, are part of our community and
they, too, need our healing and our love.
Pause for a moment of silence
Let us remember Matthew Shepard and those he left behind. May all who
were touched by him remember his life, as well as his death. May the beauty
of his spirit and his love and care for his family live on in us. May his death
spark us to fight for the living, to ensure that never again is a life
like Matthew's cut short by hatred.
Pause for a moment of silence and light a candle in the center of the
room/area
We light this candle in Matthew's memory, as a symbol of the light that
he brought to this world. We share this light to signify that we hold his
memory in our hearts and that we pledge ourselves to ending the violence that
led to his death.
Music
During the music, you can have people light their candles from the
central candle(s) that you just lit. Passing the light among the people is a
powerful symbol.
Offering/Collection
The proceeds from the offering could be donated to the Matthew Shepard
Memorial Fund or to a local organization working to prevent hate-crimes.
If you elect to receive an offering, you should clearly state the
organization to which the funds will be donated and state that 100% of all donated
funds will go directly to the designated organization.
In addition to collecting money, you may wish to collect petitions or
postcards urging the passage of hate crimes legislation.
Music
Music played while the offering is being collected
Dedication of the Offering
Holy One, bless these gifts of your people to [name of organization or
Matthew Shepard Memorial Fund]. We pray that through our prayers and our gifts
that we will further the cause of peace. Work powerfully in our community, in
our city and in our world, that the path of violence may fall into disrepair
as the path of peace is traveled more and more. May we be builders of that
road, with your help. We pray in your many names, Amen.
Memorial Prayer for Matthew
O God, our strength and our hope,
with faith in your great love,
we entrust Matthew to your eternal care.
May your light eternal shine upon him.
We thank you for all that Matthew was to those who loved him
and for all the joy of his earthly life.
We praise you that he is now in a place
where pain, sorrow and hatred are no more.
We ask for your help
that we may create such a place here on earth.
Be with us, O Source of Comfort,
to heal all hearts made heavy with sorrow and fear.
May Matthew's family, friends and loved ones
know your presence around them,
and may our prayers and the prayers of people throughout the world
give them comfort and strength.
One day we will all gather together as one family in that place where you reign forevermore.
Thanks be to you, O God.
Dedication of the People
Leader:
We will not be silenced by hatred and fear. We will not go away because
of intolerance and injustice. Rather, we stand today, united, strong,
courageous, to commit ourselves to creating a world that is filled not
with violence, but with peace; not with hatred, but with love.
People:
I will speak out for justice and for freedom, for my life and for the
lives of others.
I will call upon my government to equally protect each of its citizens.
I will act when I see injustice around me.
I will seek peace in my life and in all my actions.
I will value my own journey and my uniqueness.
I will value the journey and lives of those who are different from me.
I will remember Matthew and all whom we have lost to violence.
I will live my life with courage, with love and with hope, as a tribute
to
their lives.
Leader:
Go into the world with courage, rememberinng that we stand strong,
united, and together on this day. Seek peace in all you do, for in so doing, you
will transform the world. Blessings to you. Amen.
Closing Music
"We Shall Overcome"
~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~
NOTES:
Authorization is granted to reproduce and distribute these materials
without cost. Before and/or after the service, you may want to have petitions or post
cards calling for the passage of hate crimes legislation in your state or
SS1529/HR3081 (the federal Hate Crimes Prevention Act, currently
languishing in the US Congress). You may also wish to have people sign cards of
condolence for Matthew Shepard's family.
Local anti-violence groups or community organizations might want to pass
out literature about preventing anti-gay violence. Some organizations are
distributing whistles to help people signal that they are under attack.
Some communities may elect to conclude with a candlight march through
their city or town.
A post-event option is to host a community-wide forum to discuss
stratagies for supporting national and local hate-crimes bills and to raise issues
related to hate-crimes.
People will need some time to gather following the vigil or service. Plan
for a reception, coffee hour or some other gathering event.
SPECIAL TO THANKS TO: The Rev. Justin Tanis, UFMCC Director of Clergy Development, for composing this liturgy for "Community-Wide Anti-Violence Prayer Vigils" to honor the life of 22-year old Matthew Shepard, whose life was ended by anti-gay hate-crimes in Laramie, Wyoming.
(END)
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT:
UFMCC Communications Department
8704 Santa Monica Blvd., 2nd Floor
West Hollywood, CA 90069
Tel. (310) 360-8640
Fax: (310) 360-8680
E-mail: info@ufmcchq.com
website: http://www.ufmcc.com
**********
========================================================================
Source: LelioRisen@aol.com
Tribute To Mathew Shepard -- DenverKyle@aol.com
I have received 2 versions of the following tribute. The first was sent in
AOL formatting and features a red rose with green stem on a yellow background. If
you would like a copy of that particular version and are on AOL, just
email me a request and I will forward it. Please do this within the next 24 hours
and I will make 1 huge send of it tomorrow to those who request it. The non-color
formatted version follows. Kyle has been invaluable for his assistance during the past few days and
offers a beautiful heartfelt message. I hope it touches you as it did me. --
Scott
For Dearest Matthew
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Matthew Shepard
1976 - 1998
Gone, but not to be forgotten
At 12:53 a.m. this morning
in the company of his loving family,
Matthew left his tattered body
Our hearts mourn his passage
as we bid a tearful farewell
and offer our thoughts, prayers and heartfelt sympathy
Such a gentle, caring and generous soul
neither diminutive in spirit or kindness,
but a giant of compassion and warmth!
The memory of his smile
warms our hearts in our depths of sorrow
You entered this world prematurely
and your departure was far too soon
Goodbye, Matthew... we love you
========================================================================
**DONATING FUNDS:
The family has again asked that no flowers be sent but rather that
people send donations to the Matthew Shepard memorial fund at:
c/o First National Bank
PO Box 578
Fort Collins, CO 80522
Account No. 1926083
and also donate funds to gay/les/bi/trans organizations of all kinds to help them do their jobs.
==========================================================================
From Fenceberry@aol.com (Edited for Additional Information)::
It has been such a sad news day, and has been for the last several days. Many of you have written us brief notes to express your shock and horror at the senseless violence that took the life of our gay brother, Matthew
Shepard. We've decided to send out a short list of newspapers with email addresses to all of you in the hopes that some of you will write letters to the editors of these as well as your own local papers. First we're including the 4 Wyoming papers that we have email addresses for. Next is the address for USA Today because it has a readership in the millions. And finally about another dozen papers with large circulation that often print letters from outside their areas.
If you write to more than one paper at a time, be sure to BLIND CARBON COPY the addresses because no paper will print your letter if they know you've sent the same one to other papers. (If your server doesn't have blind carbon capability than send each letter separately.) Writers should include their name, address and telephone number for verification purposes. Hate talk leads to hate crimes.
Thanks,
Jean and Aleta
WYOMING NEWSPAPERS
University of Wyoming
Laramie Daily Boomerang,314 S. 14th St.,Laramie,WY,82070
(Fax 307-721-2933 ) (E-MAIL: bi@uwyo.edu ) ( http://bi.uwyo.edu/ )
Casper Star-Tribune, 170 Star Ln, PO Box 70, Casper WY 82602-0070
(Fax 307-266-0501 ) (E-MAIL: letters@trib.com )
Wyoming Tribune-Eagle,702 W. Lincolnway,Cheyenne,WY,82001
(Fax 307-778-7163 )(E-MAIL: opinions@wyomingnews.com )
Wyoming Journal, Newcastle, WY
(E-MAIL: journal@trib.com )
Branding Iron (University of Wyoming), Laramie, WY
E-Mail: BI@uwyo.edu ) ( http://bi.uwyo.edu )
USA TODAY editor@usatoday.com
Chicago Tribune tribletter@aol.com
Wall St. Journal letter.editor@edit.wsj.com
Dallas News letterstoeditor@dallasnews.com
New York Times letters@nytimes.com
Christian Science Monitor oped@csps.com
Newsday letters@newsday.com
Boston Globe letter@globe.com
Florida Today (Melbourne) letters@brevard.gannett.com
Columbus OH Dispatch letters@dispatch.com
SF Examiner letters@examiner.com
SF Chronicle chronletters@sfgate.com
TIME letters@time.com
NEWSWEEK letters@newsweek.com
U. S. NEWS letters@usnews.com
Nebraska:
The Daily Nebraskan letters@unlinfo.unl.edu
Kansas City, MO:
The Pitch pitch@pitch.com
Kansas City Star letters@kcstar.com
Jay N. Fromkin
Director, University Relations
University of Wyoming
Phone: 307-766-2929
Fax: 307-766-6729
Fromkin@uwyo.edu
======================================================================
Source: "John H. Bickford, Jr." jbickfor@PSYCH.UMASS.EDU (Edited for
Additional Ideas):
Send email to Governor Jim Geringer of Wyoming, let him know what
you think of their lack of hate crime protection and what that meant for
Matthew Shepard and for his attackers: governor@missc.state.wy.us or
write him personally at: Governor's Office, Wyoming State Capitol,
Cheyenne, WY 82002 and contact the Mayor Laramie: Ms. Trudy McCraken,
City of Laramie, P.O. Box C, Laramie, WY 82073 (307) 721-5226 Fax:
(307) 721-5211
Contact your Senators and Representatives in Washington and demand
immediate action on the Hate Crimes Protection Act:
http://www.senate.gov
http://www.house.gov
Contact President Clinton Vice-President Gore, Hillary Clinton and
Mrs. Gore and express your outrage at this failure of the State of
Wyoming to enact adequate protection for its Gay and Lesbian citizens:
President William J. Clinton
president@whitehouse.gov
Vice President Al Gore
vice-president@whitehouse.gov
Hillary Clinton
First.Lady@whitehouse.gov
Mrs. Gore
Mrs.Gore@whitehouse.gov
**Email Matthew's Family: the hospital will continue to forward to the
family any e-mail we receive. The e-mail address is
mshepard@libra.pvh.org.
Academics and students can contact their campus BGLT student group and urge them to hold a public rally, vigil, letter-writing campaign, public education campaign, etc. Volunteer to help organize it. Those teaching
classes can raise the issue in class and open a discussion of institutionalized heterosexism/homophobia and its contribution to the death of Shepard.
Write to your local or campus newspaper expressing your thoughts and reactions. Call your administrators and verify that sexual orienatation is listed in your college or university's nondiscrimination
statement/equal employment opportunity policy.
Call campus police and/or your local police and request a copy of their statistics on reported hate crimes. If they don't keep such statistics, go ballistic.
Put a "BGLT Safe Zone" sticker or sign on your office door.
=======================================================================
WEAR A BLACK RIBBON CAMPAIGN: I am encouraging the
gay/lesbian/bi/trans community and our allies to adopt the black ribbon
to signify anti-gay/lesbian violence and other hate crimes. The Black
Ribbon would best represent the bleak state of affairs in America today
for gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgendered, African Americans, Other
Races and Ethnic Groups. Because we have ignorance it is dark and we
need light to shed on this ignorance so that it doesn't happen over and
over!!! Wearing a black ribbon would bring some awareness to the world
that we are not going to forget the death of Matthew Shepard, nor any of
the acts of hatred towards minorities in America today!!! Wear a black
ribbon to mourn the senseless loss of another young life to hatred and
intolerance, and to mourn the loss of security of all BGLT Americans.
Please do something now. Let it be known that we have had enough.
This loss will not go unremembered; it must not go unpunished. We cannot
allow it to be swept under the rug. We cannot just suffer in silence any
longer.
ACTIONS FOR UNIVERSITIES TO FOLLOW TO HELP STOP HATE CRIME AND HELP
RESTORE DIVERSITY:
1) educating the campus communities about the gay/les/bi/trans
community through educational forums, 2) offer scholarships to
gay/les/bi/trans students, 3) establish gay/les/bi/trans alumni/ae
groups, 4) fund social, educational and beneficial gay/les/bi/trans
events and organizations on University campuses, 5) offer coming out
support groups from University counseling centers, 6) establish a
Presidential or Chancellor's Committee from the administration to address
Homophobia (and include administration, faculty, staff and students), 7)
educate University police officers on the issues of gay/les/bi/trans
people and investigating hate crimes, 8) Creating and offering
gay/les/bi/trans studies courses just as other minority courses are
offered on college campuses across America, 9) pass extensive
non-discrimination legislation on all campuses against sexual orientation
discrimination (which many major universities do), 10) education of
residence hall staff and the fraternity/sorority councils on homophobia,
11) establish endowments for the funding of gay/les/bi/trans student
organizations, minority scholarships and research grants into
Gay/Les/Bi/Trans Studies Research, 12) enact rules that allow committed
gay/les/bi/trans couples to live in University housing and 13) Offer
equal benefits for University employees who are gay/les/bi/trans.
WEB SITES
=====================================================================
Visiting these websites for more information and learning what hate crime is really about:
Matthew Shepard Info
http://www.pcisys.net/~aellison/matthew/
Matthew Shepard Message Board
http://www.wiredstrategies.com/wwwboard/
Matthew Shepard's Memorial Website
http://www.websine.com/shepard/matt.html
Gay Wyoming College Student Dies After Beating
http://nt.excite.com/news/r/981012/09/news-beating
Gay Wyoming student dies from beating
http://cnn.com/US/9810/12/wyoming.attack.01/
http://uglw.org/MSPetition.html a petition asking for an investigation
Gay Wyoming Student Dies From Attack
FoxNews
http://foxnews.com/stage04.sml
MSNBC: Picture of victim Matthew Shepard, and picture of suspects
Sorrow In Wyoming
Gay Student Near Death After Wyo. Attack
"Branding Iron" Student Newspaper
Poudre Valley Health System
The Human Rights Campaign in Washington D.C. -
Denver Post
University of Wyoming "Laramie Online" - Laramie News Service:
Should Congress pass the Hate Crimes Prevention Act?
Grusome Attack on Gay in WY
AP wire-service via the Washington Post (Washington, D.C.)
United Gays and Lesbians of Wyoming:
The University of Wyoming (Laramie) student newspaper: "Branding Iron"
The area hospital (in Colorado) where Matthew Shepard was taken to (after
The Human Rights Campaign in Washington D.C. -
Gay Wyoming College Student Dies After Beating
Gay Wyoming student dies from beating
Gay Wyoming Student Dies From Attack
Sorrow In Wyoming
Poudre Valley Health System
Lambda Legal Defense Fund's statement:
Bashed WY Student Dies
Matt Shepard 10/11 in Washington Post
SPECIAL REPORT -- The Murder of Matthew Shepard
Denver Post
NBC (MSNBC) channel 2(?) in Casper, Wyoming (MSNBC also in Cheyenne, WY.)
Bashed WY Student Dies
Denver Post (newspaper)
e-online Petition against Hate in Wyoming
You can sign the petition at:
Also see: http://www.e-thepeople.com
Governor of Wyoming's Statement:
A new Web site has been launched to give Net surfers immediate, comprehensive, up-to-date, and archived information on the Matthew Shepard anti-gay hate crime case in Wyoming. The site, built and
Funeral arrangements are arranged, and we will announce those
Matthew Shepard on CNN
University of Illinois at Chicago Office of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual &
Matthew Shepard, 1976 - 1998
Matt Shepard -Washington Post 10/11
Matthew passed away early this morning. You may send your condolences
Yahoo has many more articles listed now. They can be found @
This particular story is at:
Gay Wyoming College Student Dies After Beating
Gay Wyoming student dies from beating
Gay Wyoming Student Dies From Attack
Sorrow In Wyoming
CNN Coverage
INTERNET MEMORIALS:
Mike Silverman made a memorial banner for Matthew Shepard, for people to
The graphic is located at http://www.turnleft.com/img/remember.jpg
If you want to use this graphic, please use your browser's "save as" command to copy the image to your own web site rather than linking to my copy of the image...that way my web server will not be overwhelmed.
Thank you.
===================================================================
The Rev. Roger Schmit of St. Paul's Newman Center University Parish
=====================================================================
The following is a summary from _Making Colleges and Universities Safe
(For a free copy of the report, write to: The Governor's Commission
I. Policies
1. Enact nondiscrimination policies on the basis of sexual and gender
2. Have policies and procedures for dealing with homophobic violence
3. Have a written, inclusive, and affirming definition of “couples” that
4. Ensure equal access and equality of all benefits and privileges
5. Have policies of active outreach in hiring openly GLBT and/or GLBT-
6. Actively recruit openly GLBT prospective students.
All of the above policies should be written, clear, consistent,
II. Training and Development
1. Homophobia and other “diversity” workshops should be implemented
III. Services
1. Colleges and universities provide official recognition, support, and
2. Physically safe, secure, and appropriate space with a welcoming,
3. Legal and fundraising support services should be available to GLBT
4. Campus housing should include GLBT living options.
5. University leadership should make strong, clear, public statements on
6. Colleges and universities hire openly GLBT or GLBT-sensitive
7. Peer counselors and/or campus crisis hotline volunteers be adequately
8. Effective AIDS education, imperative for all people of all sexual and
9. Social activities through residence halls, Offices of Student
10. College and university presidents have a standing advisory
11. Student opinion should be assessed regularly, by the above mentioned
12. Campus publications should take care to provide adequate and fair
13. Colleges and universities should aid students in alumni outreach.
14. Internship opportunities may also be cultivated among local GLBT-
15. The diversity within the GLBT community should be recognized and
16. The location and availability of resources of value to GLBT people
17. Personnel at the Career Planning/Placement Center, like personnel
18. While needs differ greatly at each of the hundreds of institutions
19. In institutions where financial resources do not allow for centers
IV. Curriculum / Educational Materials / Academic Affairs
1. Issues relating to GLBT people should be formally and permanently
2. Speakers on GLBT topics, and particularly those who present scholarly
3. Courses dealing specifically with GLBT issues in the humanities,
4. A visiting scholar position in GLBT studies should be created and
5. College and university libraries should increase their holdings of
6. Campus facilities should be available for regional GLBT studies
7. Fellowship opportunities should be created and funded for
8. Scholarship and research into GLBT history, culture, and theory
9. All multicultural education should be inclusive of the issues,
10. An archive and history of GLBT organizations on campus
V. Employee Concerns
1. Policies regarding equal benefits and nondiscrimination should
2. The university should aid, support, and fund the creation of GLBT
3. Trade unions and professional organizations should have inclusive
4. There should be equality in all benefits, including, for example:
5. There should be ongoing sensitivity training and staff development on
6. Colleges and universities should cover the expenses of employees
VI. Community / Off-Campus Concerns
1. Community GLBT groups should be invited to attend campus events as
2. Information regarding social, religious, and other community
3. Counselors, administrators, and faculty should be available to
4. Representatives of GLBT student groups from different schools should
5. Publications, fundraising materials, and all other publications
6. Corporations, public agencies, and government, religious, and
***********************************************************
Warren J. Blumenfeld, P.O. Box 929, Northampton, MA 01061;
======================================================================
For Lambda Midwest and the UNL Gay/Lesbian Alumniae Assoc., Inc.
"Everyone should be allowed expression, no one ought be allowed oppression" --RB, 1985, UNL
araigned
in court:
ABC News
http://www.abcnews.com/sections/us/DailyNews/gayattack981011.html
By Tom Kenworthy
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, October 10, 1998; Page A01
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/digest/nat1.htm
http://bi.uwyo.edu/
http://www.pvhs.org/news/
http://www.hrc.org/
http://www.denverpost.com/news/shep1010.htm
--"online student newspaper covering Laramie and UW":
http://www.uwyo.edu/a&s/comm/lns/shep2.htm
CNN has put up a poll at:
http://cnn.com/US/9810/12/wyoming.attack.03/
NewsPlanet Staff
Friday, October 9, 1998 / 06:39 PM
http://www.planetout.com/newsplanet/article.html?1998/10/09/2
http://search.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WAPO/19981011/V000845-101198-idx.html
As this detailed URL becomes obsolete, try:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/digest/nat1.htm
http://www.uglw.org/
http://bi.uwyo.edu/
the first hospital in Laramie): Poudre Valley Health System
http://www.pvhs.org/news/
http://www.hrc.org/
http://nt.excite.com/news/r/981012/09/news-beating
http://cnn.com/US/9810/12/wyoming.attack.01/
FoxNews
http://foxnews.com/stage04.sml
ABC News
http://www.abcnews.com/sections/us/DailyNews/gayattack981011.html
http://www.pvhs.org/news/
http://www.lambdalegal.org/cgi-bin/pages/documents/record?record=297
SUMMARY: The gut-wrenching gay-bashing in Wyoming has turned
into murder with the death of Matthew Shepard, who believed that each of us has the right to live a full and
rewarding life
Story: http://www.newsplanet.com/article.html?1998/10/12/1
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/digest/nat1.htm
The Data Lounge has posted a series of reports on the brutal murder of a
gay student whose unsuccessful fight for life focused the hearts and
minds
of the nation this weekend.
http://www.datalounge.com/cgi-bin/dbm/news/record?record=2754
http://www.denverpost.com/news/shep1010.htm
http://www.msnbc.com/local/KTWO/16618.asp
NewsPlanet Staff
Monday, October 12, 1998 / 04:13 PM
http://www.planetout.com/newsplanet/article.html?1998/10/12/1
http://www.denverpost.com/news/shep1010.htm
Please link to this petition supporting Matthew Shepard, the young man from
Laramie, Wyoming who died this morning after being savagely beaten and left for
dead because of his sexual orientation. This petition has been started to
encourage the legislature to pass hate crimes legislation. May God bless
Matthew Shepard.
http://www.e-thepeople.com/etp2/affiliates/national/fullview.cfm?ETPID=0&PETID=55464&ETPDIR=affiliates/national
Document URL:
http://www.state.wy.us/governor/press_releases/1998/october_1998/assault.html
maintained for free by Wired Strategies, can be found at http://www.wiredstrategies.com/shepard.html email:
john@wiredstrategies.com John Aravosis Wired Strategies - Online Advocacy Consulting Washington, DC 202/328-5707 tel. 202/328-5708 fax
arrangements on our website as soon as they are available at
www.pvhs.org, under the PVHS NEWS toolbar.
http://www.cnn.com/US/9810/10/wyoming.attack/
Transgender Concerns Anti-violence pages:
http://www.uic.edu/depts/quic/oglbc/safety/
http://geocities.datacellar.net/WallStreet/Floor/9912/beating-2.JPG
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/digest/nat1.htm
to mshepard@libra.pvh.org or the address listed on the update page at
http://members.xoom.com/GayNebraska/shepard.html
http://headlines.yahoo.com/FC/US/Matthew_Shepard_Murder/
http://www.koin.com/news/stories/news-981012-142437.html
http://nt.excite.com/news/r/981012/09/news-beating
http://cnn.com/US/9810/12/wyoming.attack.01/
FoxNews
http://foxnews.com/stage04.sml
ABC News
http://www.abcnews.com/sections/us/DailyNews/gayattack981011.html
http://www.cnn.com/US/9810/10/wyoming.attack/
use on web sites and such. I am using it to link to a memorial web site at http://www.websine.com/shepard/matt.html, but it can be used to link anywhere.
Mike Silverman -- cubsfan@turnleft.com
http://www.turnleft.com/personal/
Quotes from Around:
compared the attack on Shepard to the crucifixion of Jesus.
"I ask you, in those 2,000 years of intervening between Jesus and
Matthew, how much have we really learned?" --Laramie, WY
Source: BILLINGS GAZETTE, October 12, 1998 Billings, MT
Related Works:
MAKING COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES SAFE FOR GAY, LESBIAN,
BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER (GLBT) STUDENTS AND STAFF
by Warren J. Blumenfeld e-mail: blumenfeld@educ.umass.edu
http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~blumenfe/
for Gay and Lesbian Students: Report and Recommendations of the
Massachusetts Governor's Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth_,
Warren J. Blumenfeld, Principal Author.
on Gay and Lesbian Youth, Room 111, State House, Boston, MA 02133)
(617) 727-3600 x312
____________________________________________________________________
orientation in matters of hiring, tenure, promotion, admissions, and
financial aid.
and harassment.
is nondiscriminatory towards same-sex couples in a way that is
appropriate
for each institution.
granted to
all employees and students.
sensitive faculty, staff, and administrators in all segments of the
campus
community.
accessible,
and well-publicized throughout the campus.
for the entire campus community to sensitize and educate staff, faculty,
and administrators.
funding of campus GLBT student organizations.
emotionally safe atmosphere should be available to GLBT organizations
for meetings, social events, coffee houses, lectures, fora, workshops,
and
other events.
students.
a
regular basis that state the college’s commitment to ending
discrimination,
conviction that violence and harassment are entirely unacceptable, and
appreciation of the value of diversity on campus, including diversity of
sexual and gender identity.
therapists/counselors, faculty, staff, and administrators.
trained in sensitivity to sexuality, sexual and gender
orientation/identity,
and “coming out” issues.
gender orientations, must be available and widespread.
Activities,
and other organizations must be not only inclusive of all sexual and
gender
orientations and identities, without pressures toward heterosexuality,
but
actively welcoming of GLBT people as well as same-sex couples.
committee,
panel, or board, appointed or elected in consultation with GLBT
students,
staff, and faculty members.
panel or in some other manner, in order to gauge the effectiveness of
implemented changes.
coverage of GLBT events and issues, both on and off campus.
owned businesses and GLBT activist and community service organizations.
affirmed.
should be published in materials distributed to all students, faculty,
staff,
and alumni.
in every college area, should be sensitive to GLBT issues and be aware
of employment opportunities in GLBT owned or GLBT friendly businesses
and community service organizations.
of
higher education, it seems clear that for many, if not most, the most
critically important and invaluable resource is a GLBT campus resource
center with a paid administrator, staff, and resources.
and/or administrative support for any “minorities,” there should at
least
be an ombudsperson or other clearly recognized, identified, and
publicized
as an official liaison to the campus GLBT community.
integrated into existing courses across the curriculum.
research on GLBT topics, should be brought to campus regularly.
natural sciences, education, social sciences, and other disciplines
should
be established.
supported on a continuing basis.
GLBT books, periodicals, and computer networking systems.
conferences, with administrative support provided.
teaching and research of GLBT topics.
should be encouraged and supported in faculty and students.
history, culture, and experiences of GLBT people in the United
States and worldwide. Multicultural awareness (social diversity)
courses should be mandatory for all students at some point during
the undergraduate years.
should be created.
be made clear in recruiting brochures, informational materials,
campus publications, and orientation sessions.
faculty and staff discussion, support, and networking groups.
policies and supportive services available to their members.
bereavement leave, insurance coverage, library privileges, access to
gym and other recreational facilities, listings in directories if
spouses
are customarily listed, housing for GLBT couples where the
qualifications
are analogous to the qualifying basis for heterosexuals, “couple” rates
must
be made available to GLBT couples, access to any and all other
privileges
and benefits by GLBT partners if access is available to heterosexual
spouses.
GLBT issues for all employees.
attending conferences on GLBT issues.
participants, guests, and event leaders and facilitators.
resources
should be made easily accessible to all students, staff, faculty, and
administrators.
parents
or other community members to alleviate any concern that may arise out
of the implementation of any of the above recommendations, as well as
any concerns arising during their child’s coming out process, if that is
the case.
meet
regularly to keep each other appraised of upcoming events, plan events
together,
and strengthen the GLBT community.
distributed
to parents and alumni should include relevant and appropriate stories,
essays,
and news regarding GLBT issues, organizations, and events.
community agencies and institutions that do not have official written
policies against discrimination based on sexual and gender orientation
should
be strongly discouraged or prohibited from on-campus employment or
enlistment recruiting.
Warren J. Blumenfeld is founder and first director of the National
Gay Student Center. (This organization exists today as the National
Queer Student Coalition of the United States Student Association.)
He is co-author of the book _Looking at Gay and Lesbian Life_,
editor of the book _Homophobia: How We All Pay the Price_,
author of _AIDS and Your Religious Community_, and editor of the
_Journal of Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Identity_. He is also
co-producer of the documentary film "Pink Triangles," on the topic
of homophobia. In addition, he facilitates diversity workshops for
schools, businesses, and community organizations.
e-mail: blumenfeld@educ.umass.edu
http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~blumenfe/
**ANTI-GAY/LESBIAN VIOLENCE RESOURCES:
Source: UFMCCHQ@aol.com Rev. Troy Perry
As a positive step to counter anti-gay violence, the Rev. Elder Don
Eastman of UFMCC's Board of Elders has worked with our UFMCC staff members to
prepare a "Resource Kit for Responding to Anti-Gay Violence." While it has been
designed for use in communities of faith, it may be adapted with ease for
use by any individual or organization. "The Resource Kit for Responding to
Anti-Gay Violence" includes ways we can support and encourage Matt Shepard and
his family, ways to further protections for gays and lesbians in Wyoming --
and ways we can address the broader issues of anti-gay violence in our
society.
This resource kit is available free upon request by e-mail at
ufmcchq@aol.com or by fax at (310) 360-8680.
Rodney Allen Bell, II, B.A. Political Scientist/Queer Midwest Activist
ICQ: 4734586
P.O. Box 45357, Kansas City, MO 64171 (816) 931-6829 Voice
lovespirit@earthlink.net lovespirit@juno.com lovespirit@webtv.net
Check out my auctions on ebay.com:
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/lovespirit/
Web Page Content ©1998 Rodney Allen Bell, II, B.A. This Page Last Updated 10/15/98
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