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Matthew Shepard / TwitterTwenty years ago today, Matthew Shepard was taken from a bar, robbed, beaten, and tied to a fence. His killers left him to die without remorse or conscience because he was gay.
— Matthew Shepard Foundation (@MattShepardFDN) October 6, 2018
This crime was the impetus for the Foundation and we have been working to #EraseHate for two decades. pic.twitter.com/Sg0oTwRJK9
THE REMAINS OF a gay US college student whose murder became a symbol of homophobic violence will be interred at Washington National Cathedral 20 years after his death.
Matthew Shepard was kidnapped, robbed and beaten in 1998, then left to die strapped to a ranch fence in Laramie, Wyoming.
The 21-year-old hung on the fence for 18 hours until two passing cyclists found him. His death five days later in a Colorado hospital triggered a national outcry.
“He was 21 years old, which means he’s been gone almost as long as we had the pleasure of having him in our lives,” said Shepard’s family.
Scores of mourners attended his funeral but it was picketed by homophobic protesters.
As a result, his parents did not choose a final resting place for his ashes, concerned it would be desecrated, according to US media reports.
But on 26 October, Shepard will be interred at the Episcopal Church’s Washington National Cathedral in a private ceremony following a public remembrance service.
“Join the cathedral as we host a service of thanksgiving and remembrance for Matthew Shepard, whose brutal death in 1998 shocked the world, grieved the church and mobilized the LGBTQ movement,” the cathedral said on its website.
In 2009, the US congress approved legislation named after Shepard bolstering prosecution of “hate crimes” committed because of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability.
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What’s wrong with people?! Live and let live. And no doubt they do this in the name of god.
@Yzo Sirrius: it happens all too frequently in our world. a 14 year old boy in Iraq savagely stabbed to death &left bleeding to death in the street. Indonesia publicly whipping gays, ISIS flinging gays off roofs
@Yzo Sirrius: Not forgetting Declan Flynn beaten to death in Fairview Park in 1982 in a series of homophobic beatings carried out in the park.
@Deborah Blacoe: and all 5 walked free. Shameful and embarrassing!
@Benson Hallahan: Mr Justice Gannon (the trial judge) said “One thing that has come to my mind is that there is no element of correction that is required. All of you came from good homes and experienced care and affection.” They got suspended sentences. Five years later one of those found guilty went on to rape a woman who was seven months pregnant. Declan Flynn’s family did not receive justice for the murder of their beloved son and brother. That trial was an absolute and utter travesty.
Leaving aside the horrific murder, the fact that homophobic people openly demonstrated at his funeral is disturbing.
@Squiddley Diddley: the Westboro church and other hate mongers were doing it up until relatively recently.should all be charged with disturbing the peace and no one allowed ever disturb a funeral
@Seán Domhnall O’Sullivan: the likes of them still do it
Mat will always be remembered by so many of us. Rest in Peace.
Matthew Shepard can now rest in peace Just so sad of the pain this poor guy must have had to endure at the hands of these evil people and all for what because of their hatred of gay people Just so sad he was taken away from his family and friendsat such young age. Rest in peace.
May he finally rest in peace… Disgusting sub humans among us.Can’t get image of him hanging for 18 hrs, still fighting for his life.
What was done to this poor man was absolutely sick and vile.
The poor young man he must have been terrified and his mother father and all his family … may god give them strength ..
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
Heartbreaking that such evil can exist in the hearts of so called ‘good Christians’
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