This is from the Matthew Shepard newsletter...
13 Years Later, His Legacy Lives On
Thirteen years ago today, on the prairie east of Laramie, Wyoming, a 21-year-old man was clinging to life after a brutal attack. Two other men, who somehow in their lives came to believe that others could be disregarded, hurt, or even killed, for being different than themselves, had left Matthew Shepard alone, mortally wounded, tied to a fence, at the mercy of the elements.
The Matthew Shepard Foundation remembers Matt every day, as we conduct educational programs about the value of diversity, reach out to companies to ensure equal opportunity in the workplace, and deliver online resources to LGBT and allied young people to lead healthy, productive, hate-free lives.
We implore policy makers to end discrimination, hate crimes and bias in our society. We draw the nation's attention to the scourges of bullying, and parental rejection. We project a message of hope, and a call for personal commitment to change in all of our daily lives. We do this in Matthew's name, and in yours: you, the donors, supporters and activists who make our work possible, and effective.
But every October in particular, we also remember Matt, the person whom some of us were unbelievably fortunate to know. A person who was passionate about social justice, and the plight of those less fortunate than himself. A true friend and a gentle spirit whose imperfections, like all of ours, were vital to his personality and a source for his ambition to make the world better for everyone.
Please join all of us at the Foundation and the Shepard family in remembering Matt today, in your own life, in some way large or small, by "Replacing Hate with Understanding, Compassion and Acceptance."
Thank you for your continued support.
Jason Marsden, Executive Director
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