As Pride Month comes to an end, let us recognize Judy Shepherd – who, like Jeanne Manford, our June 1 honoree – turned tragedy into meaningful activism. Like Manford, Judy Shepherd’s gay son was the target of unthinkable violence, prompting this saddened and angry mother to devote her life to fighting hatred and discrimination. On October —, 1998, 21-year-old Matthew Shepherd, an openly gay student at the University of Wyoming, was senselessly beaten and left to die by the side of a country road. Matthew’s murder was one of the most high-profile hate crimes against LGBT people in history – an act that forced America to face its deep-seated homophobia. In response to his death, Judy Shepherd, supported by her husband, Dennis, joined the 13-year crusade by LGBT groups and others to get legislation passed. They were ultimately instrumental in getting Congress to pass the 2009 Hate Crimes Prevention Act that introduced federal protections for crimes based on sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and disability and strengthened penalties for crimes based on race, religion, and national origin. Judy and her husband also established the Matthew Shepard Foundation to provide national and regional support and resources to LGBTQIA+ youth and their families and to fund events and artistic projects that amplify Matthew’s story and foster change and understanding. This past May, Shepherd was one of nineteen heroes who received the Presidential Medal of Freedom Award from President Biden. She continues to speak out whenever and wherever she can to remind us that we cannot be complacent and must be fierce advocates for constructive social change and against hatred and injustice in our increasingly divisive world.
“If I had the power to change one thing, I can only dream of the example that Matt’s life and purpose would have shown, had he lived. This honor reminds me that his life, and every life, is precious.”
Judy Shepherd (on receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom)
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