All black & white photos of Matthew on this site, including the banner photo, were taken by Gina van Hoof.
Statement from Judy Shepard on the Murder of Jorge Steven
Lopez Mercado
Dennis and I, and the entire board and staff of the Matthew
Shepard Foundation, stand with all who are grieving the loss of Jorge Steven
Lopez Mercado in one of the most shockingly brutal hate crimes in Puerto Rico’s
history.
While we are grateful to the local law enforcement officials
for their swift work to apprehend the suspect in this terrible crime, we remain
deeply saddened that yet another family should have to suffer the pain of such
a tragedy, and that such breathtaking violence continues to be directed at gay,
lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people who are simply trying to live their
lives honestly and openly.
For another young person to lose their life and be taken
from their family and community due to fear, prejudice and hatred is simply
unacceptable. Each of us who believe in freedom and equality must remain vocal,
active, and unrelenting in calling for justice.
Our thoughts are with Mr. Lopez, all who knew and loved him,
the members of his community and the millions worldwide who have been touched
by his senseless death. Our family and the Foundation will continue to work to
prevent similar tragedies in any way we can.
November 20 is International Transgender Day of Remembrance
Today the Matthew Shepard Foundation pauses to honor those
who were killed due to hatred and bias against transgendered persons worldwide.
Today marks the International Transgender Day of Remembrance, held annually in
November since 1998.
What began as a candlelight vigil in San Francisco marking
the as-yet-unsolved murder of Rita Hester has since grown to include memorials
in cities across the globe.
In memory of all who have fallen to prejudice and violence,
the Foundation is deeply grateful to the organizers and participants in the
Remembrance. We share their hope for a world free of these crimes, and will
continue to call attention to our unfinished work to replace hate with
understanding, compassion and acceptance.
For more information about Day of Remembrance and a listing
of events worldwide, visit www.transgenderdor.org
.
Judy Shepard on the Ellen DeGeneres Show!
Judy Shepard’s Book Tour Continues with National Media Exposure
Foundation Board President Judy Shepard embarked in September on a two-month national book tour to promote her new book "The Meaning of Matthew: My Son’s Murder in Laramie, and a World Transformed," earning attention from several national media outlets.
The book recounts Judy and Dennis Shepard’s remarkable journey from being parents to becoming nationally recognized leaders for civil rights not only for gay and lesbian people but for all who are marginalized because of their perceived differences.
Appearing with Neal Conan on National Public Radio’s "Talk of the Nation" in an exclusive live interview and Q-and-A session, Judy Shepard recalled the shock her family experienced in becoming the subject of national and international interest, and their determination in the years since then to help people understand his true complexity as an individual.
In a print debut, USA Today caught up with Judy in Cheyenne, Wyoming, recently where she was addressing a victim’s rights conference. The newspaper’s account included a glimpse of the book, a reporter’s visit to Laramie, and a look at the ongoing debate over the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act.
Leading mass-market magazine Entertainment Weekly also chose The Meaning of Matthew as its book pick of the week. For much more coverage, visit the links below:
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Matthew Shepard Foundation Applauds American Psychological Association for Repudiating “Gay-to-Straight” Therapy
August 5, 2009 The Matthew Shepard Foundation applauds the American Psychological Association for its strongest statement yet warning therapists away from so-called “conversion” therapy to change individuals’ sexual orientations from gay to heterosexual.
The APA, meeting at its annual convention in Toronto, received a report from its Task Force on Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation, finding that treatments which purport to portray homosexuality as an illness which can be corrected are not based on evidence and at most teach individuals to ignore their sexual attractions. The task force was formed in 2007 and examined 83 studies from nearly 50 years.
Stay Informed and Stay Involved in the fight to ERASE HATE by registering on the Matthew Shepard Foundation website today.
With your help we can continue our work to share Matthew's dream of replacing the hate in the world with understanding, compassion, and acceptance.
