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PHOTO CREDITS

All black & white photos of Matthew on this site, including the banner photo, were taken byGina van Hoof. 
 

Matthew Shepard Foundation Honors 

Local Activists at March 29,
 “Bear to Make a Difference”
Benefit Event in Portland

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Matthew Shepard Foundation will bestow “Making a Difference” Awards on two prominent Oregonians next month for their achievements in advancing equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered Americans, at a Portland benefit reception.

Former Gov. Barbara Roberts and Portland entertainer Darcelle XV will receive the awards from Foundation co-founder Judy Shepard at the “Bear to Make a Difference” reception and silent auction Monday, March 29. 

“As I have traveled across the country in the last decade to promote equality for all and an end to hatred based on people’s differences, I have always told people their voices are the most powerful tool in erasing hate,” said Judy Shepard, who with her husband Dennis created the Matthew Shepard Foundation in 1998 in memory of their son Matthew, murdered that year in an anti-gay hate crime in Wyoming. “We are privileged to be able to recognize two Oregonians who have been using their voices to do exactly that for many, many years.”

Gov. Roberts, who served from 1991 to 1995, remains the only woman elected governor of Oregon, and was known as a strong supporter of gay rights during her administration. She remains active in advancing civil rights, children’s health, women’s leadership, environmental and other positive social causes.

Darcelle XV, a Portland entertainment fixture for decades and prominent supporter of a wide range of charities, owns the Darcelle XV Showplace, and stars in the longest-running female impersonator show in the United States. She was recently named to the “Stonewall Trans Heroes 40” roster by the International Court Council and the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force.

The “Making a Difference” Award recognizes individuals and organizations for their unwavering and longstanding leadership in working towards a world free of hate. Previous recipients have included Moises Kaufman and the members of the Tectonic Theater Project; former NBA star and author John Amaechi; and former U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore.

The March 29 “Bear to Make a Difference” event will be held at, Wilf’s Restaurant and Bar, 800 NW 6th Avenue. With a cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m. followed by a silent auction and an awards presentation. Judy Shepard, and Portland Mayor Sam Adams, will make special remarks. Tickets are $30 per person, and proceeds benefit the Matthew Shepard Foundation’s educational and outreach programs. Tickets may be purchased online at:

www.matthewshepard.org/btmad-ontheroad

Silent auction items include custom-designed, autographed teddy bears donated by Meryl Streep and Carol Burnett, among other items.

National sponsors for the benefit are MillerCoors and the International Court System, along with Silver sponsor Bling Dental and Bronze sponsors Wilf’s, PBS Design Group, and JustOut.

Special guests and other partners in the event include Poison Waters, Byron Beck, Bravado Home & Design, Live on Stage Productions and The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.

Wheatland, Wyo., Citizens Turn Out in Droves

to Support ‘No Place for Hate’ Program 

More than 70 local citizens turned out Feb. 15 to urge Platte County (Wyoming) School Board members to reinstate the Anti-Defamation League’s “No Place for Hate” program in two local schools.

School trustees had voted 4-3 in January to remove the program’s banners from the schools due to some trustees’ objection to the presence on the banners of the logo of the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado, one of the program’s many sponsors. The ADL subsequently withdrew the program from the schools, objecting to the board’s refusal to follow program guidelines.

The ADL had asked the school board to add the issue to the meeting agenda for the Feb. 15 session, and reconsider its objection to the banners, but that request was rebuffed. A regional official from the ADL traveled to Wheatland Monday to renew the request, and was overwhelmingly supported by the citizens who turned out to speak. Board members, however, declined to extend the meeting’s normal public comment period, which limited the number of attendees who could address them.

Citizens also delivered an official petition Monday asking the board to clarify its policy on sponsorship-related advertising in the school district, noting that many other companies and organizations are allowed to display their logos and names on educational materials in the district. That issue will now be before the board at its March 15 meeting.

The Matthew Shepard Foundation conducts similar programs in public schools and colleges nationwide in support of safe educational environments for all students, regardless of difference. The ADL’s program in Wheatland exemplified the pro-safety, inclusive atmosphere that we feel all students deserve. We applaud those Wheatland citizens who are working to demonstrate the value of diversity education and other efforts to eliminate bullying from our nation’s schools. We hope that the board members and others in the community will work constructively to ensure positive steps against hatred can continue in the district.

Further coverage of the Feb. 15 meeting is available from the Wyoming Tribune Eagle at:

http://wyomingnews.com/articles/2010/02/16/news/19local_02-16-10.txt

International Court System Receives Matthew Shepard Foundation’s “Essential Piece Award”
Community-Service Volunteer Network Raised More Than $100,000 to Erase Hate

SEATTLE, Wash. — The Matthew Shepard Foundation has recognized the International Court System with an “Essential Piece” Award, citing the courts’ outstanding spirit of generosity and activism during 45 years of community service activity.

The International Court System, a network of social and community-service organizations first established in 1965 in San Francisco, received the award from Foundation staff Feb. 13 at the President’s Ball held by the Imperial Sovereign Court of Seattle & the Olympic and Rainier Empire.
 
“The energy you have all devoted, the stories you have shared with us about your lives, and your individual reasons for pursuing service to the community, are quite simply an inspiration to me, my family, and the Foundation’s board and staff,” said Foundation Board President Judy Shepard. “You set a wonderful example for us all.”
 
Chapters of the Imperial Court System throughout the United States and Canada raised more than $100,000 in 2009 and early 2010 to benefit the Foundation’s educational and outreach programs to “Erase Hate,” with Canadian funds going to benefit additional LGBT causes in honor of the Foundation. The combined total is the largest donation the Foundation has ever received from a single individual or community organization.
 
“For over 45 years the International Court System of the United States, Canada and Mexico has been in the forefront of making major contributions from raising funds to fight Anita Bryant and her referendums to supporting LGBT students in our schools.” stated San Diego City Commissioner Nicole Murray-Ramirez (Queen Mother of the Americas). “We are the Shriners and the Elks for the LGBT community and with our decades of noble deeds, we can proudly say we have made a difference.”
 
“The Imperial Court System began as a shared structure for ‘camp’ fun and celebration of individual creativity and uniqueness, but quickly became a mainstay of LGBT community life marked foremost by its devotion to assisting worthy causes,” said Foundation Executive Director Jason Marsden. “Quite simply, the Courts are the ultimate proof that people can fill an indispensible role in practically anyplace in the country, no matter whom they love, how they live or what they wear. We are delighted to have earned their support and look forward to working with the Courts on an ongoing basis to reach our shared goals.”
 
The Imperial Court System includes 67 chapters throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico, and membership is open to everyone.  It was founded by World War II veteran Jose Julio Sarria, who in 1961 became the first openly gay candidate to run for U.S. public office.
 
The Matthew Shepard Foundation was established by Judy and Dennis Shepard in memory of their 21-year-old son, Matthew, who was murdered in an anti-gay hate crime in Laramie, Wyoming in October 1998. It was created to honor Matthew’s dreams, beliefs and aspirations to “Replace Hate with Understanding, Compassion and Acceptance” through programs including educational programs in high schools and colleges, and advocacy for equality for all Americans.
 
The Foundation’s “Essential Piece Award” is usually given to individuals and companies whose efforts have been an “essential piece” in helping the Foundation achieve its mission. The award to the International Court System is the first such award given to an entire organization for its efforts against hatred and bias. Past recipients include MillerCoors, singer-songwriter Randi Driscoll, and Foundation board member Greg Miraglia, among others.

International Court System founder Jose Julio Sarria meets with Matthew Shepard Foundation co-founder Judy Shepard. The Foundation awarded the International Court System its “Essential Piece” Award on Feb. 13 at a Court event in Seattle, Wash.

San Diego City Commissioner Nicole Murray-Ramirez, Executive Director of the International Court System and Matthew Shepard Foundation co-founder & Board President Judy Shepard.

Judy Shepard on the Ellen DeGeneres Show!