The FBI estimates that more than 7,000 hate crimes occur in the United States each year. Whether we hear about them in the news or read about them in the paper, they become external. Many of us do not acknowledge or understand the role hate plays in our everyday lives. Furthermore, often times we do not consider how we contribute to the problem or what we can do to change it. This discussion will lead participants on a journey to help them identify how hate manifests itself in their everyday lives and what they can do to stop it. Participants will discuss how individuals contribute to the problem and what they can do to forward the process of replacing hate with understanding, compassion and acceptance.

What People are Saying:

The Matthew Shepard Foundation;s message of erasing hate is extremely powerful and applies to every situation where subjugation threatens to dash the dreams of equality, the dreams of freedom.  This message can be used to create a school culture where hate is the enemy, where students work together for the common good and respect one another for the individuals they are.  When students walk out of the presentation, they will have a new understanding to improve their lives and the lives of everyone else.  In a time when hate and its threats of violence lurk in the dark waiting to pounce, student's need to her the Foundation's message.

Elliott Lemberg
Drama Director
New Albany High School

You offered an assembly program that was honest, personal, and yet extremely provocative and powerful. Your expertise as an educator was evident as you delivered a message that was both clear and revelant to our students. In pacturliar, I was impressed with the way you incorporated the conversations you had had with people on campus and wove issues that our community was working through into your presentation.

W. Alan Brown
Dean of Student Life
Dwight-Englewood School

The presentation, with the focus of erasing hate was an enlightening conversation amongst community members at the University of Virginia. Mr. Howard presented his material in a way that directly addressed the issue of hate with students who are usually hesitant to engage in such powerful discussions. I highly recommend Mr. Howard to any other university or community trying to grapple with the issues of hate and homophobia.

Heather Welborn
President, Queer & Allid Activism
University of Virginia

Previous & Future Engagements

High Schools:
Champlin Park High School, Champlin Park MN
Clifton High School, Clifton NJ
Dwight Englewood School, Englewood NJ
New Albany High School, New Albany OH
Horlick High School, Racine WI
PS1 Charter School, Denver CO
San Lorenzo High School, San Lorenzo CA
John F Kennedy High School, Sacramento CA
Oregon Episcopal High School, Portland OR
Alliance High School, Milwaukee WI

College and Universities:
Colgate University, Hamilton NY
Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant MI
Rock Springs Community College, Rock Springs WY
Sheridan Community College, Sheridan WY
Moravian College, Bethlehem PA
Texas Christian University, Fort Worth TX
University of Virginia, Charlottesville VA
University of Miami, Coral Gables FL

Community and Conferences:
South Dakota PRIDE, Mount Rushmore SD
Hamilton-Wentworth Elementary Teacher’s Local, Hamilton ON
Vigil, Asbury Park NJ
Sacramento Gay and Lesbian Center’s Hate Crimes and Bullying Workshop, Sacramento CA
University of Wyoming Shepard Symposium for Social Justice, Laramie WY
Rainbow of Possibilities Conference, Worcester MA
Camp fyrefly, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Future:
Birmingham, AL
Pace University, Pleasantville  NY
Schriener University, Kerville  TX
Green Valley High School, Henderson  NV