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Matthew Shepard

When he was just 21, University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard was offered a ride home by two straight men. The violence that happened next shocked a nation into action. After being beaten, robbed, and tortured, he was left for dead in the wilderness where he lay tied to a fence for 18 hours before someone found him. He never regained consciousness. The media coverage of the attack and the trial--where the murderers tried explaining away their attack by saying Matthew tried to come on to them--awoke a nation to the reality of anti-LGBT hate crimes, and has since led to hate-crime legislation protecting queer Americans.

Dennis and Judy Shepard
Politics

Matthew Shepard’s Parents Have Harsh Words for Amy Coney Barrett

"People are people, and I would hate to think that you would reject one of your children because they happen to be gay," Judy Shepard said.

Matthew Shepard Memorialized With a Plaque at the National Cathedral
News

Matthew Shepard Memorialized With a Plaque at the National Cathedral

Hate crime victim's remains were interred there last year.

Judy and Dennis Shepard
Crime

Matthew Shepard's Parents Won't Be a 'Photo Op' to Hide Trump's Hate

Judy and Dennis Shepard reflect on the 10th anniversary of the hate-crimes law bearing their son's name, which is the subject of a new Oxygen special.

Matt Shepard's Parents Snub AG Barr: We Won't 'Kowtow to Hypocrisy'
Politics

Matt Shepard's Parents Snub AG Barr: We Won't 'Kowtow to Hypocrisy'

It's "hypocritical" for Barr to celebrate the hate-crimes law named for their son while supporting discrimination, Judy and Dennis Shepard said.

Judy and Dennis Shepard To Headline Miami Pride
Pride

Judy and Dennis Shepard to Headline Miami Beach Pride

Coming off of the 20th anniversary of the death of Matthew Shepard, his parents, Judy and Dennis, will be ally marshals of the event.

INTERMENT SERVICE
Society

Matthew Shepard Remembered in Emotional Interment Service

Shepard's ashes were interred today at the Washington National Cathedral.

Wyoming Fence
Voices

What's Changed and What Hasn't Since Matthew Shepard's Murder

It's easy to think the world has completely evolved since 1998; the truth is more nuanced.

Lesléa Newman
Voices

This Writer Will Be Forever Connected to Matthew Shepard

Fate brought Leslea Newman to Laramie, Wyo., just as Matthew Shepard was leaving this world.

Remembering Matthew Shepard
Crime
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Remembering Matthew Shepard's Story 20 Years Later

Former Advocate editor-in-chief Judy Wieder discusses what it was like covering the murder of Matthew Shepard. 

Washington National Cathedral
Religion

Matthew Shepard's Ashes to Be Interred at National Cathedral

The site will offer visitors an opportunity for reflection and provide protection from the desecration Matthew's family feared.

Matthew Shepard and HIV: A Complicated Legacy
Plus
HIV
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linkout

Matthew Shepard and HIV: A Complicated Legacy

Mathhew Shepard
Youth

Matthew Shepard's Parents Made Sure He Did Not Die in Vain

In the two decades since the gay college student's murder, his legacy lives on in the foundation started by Judy and Dennis Shepard. But there's still much left to do.

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Voices
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Behind the Scenes of Our Cover Shoot With Young LGBTQ Heroes

People like Tyler Oakley and musician Gio Bravo posed for a purpose as we close in on 20 years since Matthew Shepard's death.

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Voices

Editor's Letter: The World Without Matthew Shepard

Judy and Dennis Shepard took their son's tragedy and built a foundation to make something good out of something so heartbreakingly tragic.

Twenty Years later
Youth

Matthew Shepard's Children

A new generation fights for our rights 20 years after one of the nation's most infamous antigay hate crimes.

Tyler Oakley
Youth

Matt Shepard, Tyler Oakley: Lives Separated by Two Decades of Change

An icon for a new generation of activists, social media star Tyler Oakley revels in possibilities.

Haley Videckis and Layana White
Youth

These College Basketball Teammates Found Love, Then Activism

Haley Videckis and Layana Whitewent from student athletes to pioneering plaintiffs, and in the process changed the country for the better.

Shayna Marci Warner
Youth

Bisexual People Have a Hero in Shayna Maci Warner

Filmmaker Shayna Maci Warner is focusing on increasing and improving representation in her often-invisible community.

Edwin Bodney
Youth

Writer Edwin Bodney Takes Aim at Gay Racism

Would Matthew Shepard's killing have gotten the attention it did if he was black? Edwin Bodney knows the answer to that question.