Next Month Judy and Dennis Shepard will speak in Taiwan, Singapore, the Netherlands and Sweden as they continue their tireless work to tell their son’s story and encourage others to join in our work to erase hate. The Shepards will begin their international tour the first week of November at the American School in Taiwan…
In 15 years, The Matthew Shepard Foundation has done some incredible work. – Judy Shepard has spoken to more than a million people worldwide, including addressing the United Nations and a hate crimes conference in the Polish Parliament. – Judy and Dennis Shepard worked tirelessly to pass the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate…
Friends and family of the Matthew Shepard Foundation gathered in Denver this weekend to remember Matthew and celebrate the work that is his legacy. Today, we wanted to share with you a few of our favorite moments! Enjoy. Judy Shepard’s remarks about how far we’ve come and how far we have to go.
Dennis Shepard, replying to a recent inquiry we received from a ‘Laramie Project’ cast member in Amsterdam, wrote this about speaking to the Court before the sentencing of one of Matthew’s murderers. As we mark this 15thanniversary of Matthew leaving this world, we thought this reflection was a fitting tribute to Matthew’s memory and the…
It is with great disappointment that we learned that school administrators in Ottumwa, Iowa, have cancelled the local high school’s planned production of The Laramie Project due to concerns over its subject matter. The Laramie Project is the story of the townspeople of Laramie, Wyoming, and their lives in the aftermath of the brutal murder…
A group of students from the Faculty of Law of the Free University of Brussels. They were writing a case study about Matthew Shepard as part of an English course, and the Foundation provided them with a number of resources. The students also sent a list of questions for our Executive Director Jason Marsden, and Susan Burk, our Laramie Project Specialist. The answers reveal the personal stories and connections Jason and Susan have for Matt and his story.
Congratulations to MSF Board Vice President Greg Miraglia who was presented with the Dr. John W. Rice Award for Exemplifying Diversity and Equity within the California Community Colleges. Named after the former member of the California Community Colleges Board of Governors, the 2013 Dr. John W. Rice Award was given to Napa Valley College’s Greg…
On the 10th anniversary of Lawrence v. Texas and just days after the 40th anniversary of the mass murder of 32 LGBT Americans in New Orleans’ UpStairs Lounge, we are celebrating a truly historic day for our country. While there was no ruling on the fundamental right to marry, the Supreme Court has said that…
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A host of dignitaries and celebrities honored Casper residents Judy and Dennis Shepard for 15 years of pro-diversity charitable work Sunday, at the Ford’s Theatre Gala in Washington D.C. Vice President Joe Biden, Attorney General Eric Holder, The Honorable Valerie Jarrett, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, members of Congress were among…
The senseless and tragic murder of New York City resident Marc Carson in Greenwich Village late on Friday is another heartbreaking reminder that despite political and social progress in recent years, LGBT people continue to be singled out for discrimination, abuse and even deadly violence. City officials are investigating Mr. Carson’s murder as a hate…