Aired Oct 13, 2022

The Lasting Legacy of Matthew Shepard

Matthew Shepard lost his life to an anti-LGBTQ+ hate crime on October 12, 1998. His legacy, and the legacy of those who loved him lives on 24 years later at a time of contradiction. Laramie has become a safe-haven for LGBTQ+ people and their families at the same time that anti-LGBTQ+ legislation is being introduced in statehouses across the country.

We hosted a conversation about this article as a part of PFLAG Connects and Something to Talk About Live on Thursday, October 13. Did you miss it? You can still watch it here!   

Article: In Wyoming, scene of infamous gay hate crime an unlikely LGBTQ haven

Source: France 24

Author: Camille Camdessus

Questions for Discussion:

1. What, if anything, do you know about the murder of Matthew Shepard? Where did you first learn his story? Where would you go to learn more if you need to?

2. Would you consider living in a place like Laramie (or Eureka Springs, AR or Huntington, WV)? Why or why not?

3. What do you think that advocates today can learn from parents like Judy and Dennis Shepard?

Bonus Resources: Check out “Matthew Shepard Laid To Rest, 20 Years After His Death” from NPR by Scott Simon and learn more about the Matthew Shepard Foundation. 

About Our Guests:

Judy Shepard, Board Chair/President, The Matthew Shepard Foundation

Dennis Shepard, Board Member Emeritus, The Matthew Shepard Foundation

Ways to Watch:

Also available on Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn

Something to Talk About Live is a series designed by PFLAG National’s Straight for Equality program to create conversation about LGBTQ+ issues. Each week we offer an article on LGBTQ+ topics and suggest a few questions you can use to lead a discussion with your ERG, community group, or PFLAG chapter.