Ten Years Later
Matthew Shepard died ten years ago today, six days after being beaten by two men and left clinging to life on a fence outside Laramie, Wyoming. He will not be forgotten.
Barack Obama released a statement today with regard to the somber anniversary:
"Today, we pause to remember the heartbreaking and senseless murder of Matthew Shepard. A freshman at the University of Wyoming, Matthew was a young man committed to fighting for equality and changing the world around him. He was tragically taken from us far too early, an innocent victim of an abhorrent hate crime, and never had the chance to see his dreams realized.
"In the ten years since Matthew’s passing, Congress has repeatedly and unacceptably failed to enact a federal hate crimes law that would protect all LGBT Americans. That’s not just a failure to honor Matthew’s memory; it’s a failure to deliver justice for all who have been victimized by hate crimes, regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation. All Americans deserve to live their lives free of fear, and as Americans, it is our moral obligation to stand up against bigotry and strive for equality for all.
"Today, Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to Matthew’s parents, Judy and Dennis, and to all whose lives have been touched by unconscionable violence."
Also
Byrd, Shepard killings recalled in Austin [statesman]
Watch MSNBC's look back, AFTER THE JUMP...
Let's quote Obama, that great supporter of equal rights for gay people. Oh wait. Barack Obama, separate but equal! Let's rally around that!
Posted by: j | Oct 13, 2008 12:08:48 AM
Having some words in the law book would of done nothing to to save Mathew Shepard's life so why don't we stop it with the constant worthless pandering about hate crime laws and work on education...
Posted by: yoshi | Oct 13, 2008 12:47:24 AM
It's odd that this press release is not on his website.
Posted by: Banne | Oct 13, 2008 12:57:48 AM
Oh, found it buried in the LGBT section, not worthy of making the general press release section I guess. Clearly only gays would care about this kind of stuff, right?
Posted by: Banne | Oct 13, 2008 12:59:35 AM
I find it sad that this was posted so late. The anniversary of his death for many was yesterday. It shows reluctance on the part of gay sites and bloggers to acknowledge their own history. Out of site, out of mind. Sure, let's quote Barack Obama, making sure that his name profiled, however, it comes across on this site as a plug for Senator Obama, since the site, itself, failed to give a thoughtful, personal editorial. In remembering Matthew, we should praise his family for all they have done for the gay community. Matthew, unfortunately, became the face of gay hate crimes. Today, as we continue to fight against hate, bigotry, and discrimination, as noted in the political climate, very, very few gay bloggers have recognized this sad anniversary. It tells me bloggers are more interested in pushing their politics, celeb gossip, etc. than in a rememberance of the heart. All in all, I praise Barack & Michelle Obama for their wonderful and thoughtful words, it's just too bad gay bloggers can't do the same. Check out other gay blogs/bloggers and see how many remembered.
I urge everone to read Judy Shepard's letter "TEN YEARS OF CHANGE - NO PROGRESS" @ http://www.matthewshepard.org/site/PageServer
There are some things WE NEED TO REMEMBER!!!
Posted by: CB | Oct 13, 2008 1:17:33 AM
J, the Obama position isn't "separate but equal," it's SMART.
He knows as well as I do, and maybe you do (?), that this issue will be resolved in the judiciary, and he will be ready to enforce it when it is.
He's running for president and needs to win. It's not time for childish politically stupid grandstanding.
Posted by: Evan | Oct 13, 2008 1:18:00 AM
And CB, I don't know which gay blogs you read, but every single one I read (this one, Queerty, Box Turtle, Pam's House Blend) has commemorated Matt Shepard this week.
Posted by: Evan | Oct 13, 2008 1:20:22 AM
Evan, my point being that they didn't speak from the heart or editorialize, they linked or copied words from others. A straight blogger @ http://www.crazydaysandnights.net/2008/10/matthew-shepard-10-years-later-we.html said a few words from the heart. That's what I expected from gay bloggers.
What some bloggers did, by just linking, reminds me of some famous person going to a benefit, goes through the paparazzi/photo shoot, then sneaks out the back door. They were there, but they weren't. That is the same with some of the bloggers, they linked but they didn't speak. That is what bothers me.
Check and see how many spoke from the heart. Most knew it was the 10th Anniversary, how many actually reflected then linked to the Matthew Shepard Foundation? They could have written some words and posted it on the anniversary. They didn't. Most Matthew Shepard entries were mixed in with other bits of info.
I just feel it should have been more noted in the gay web community.
Posted by: CB | Oct 13, 2008 1:51:41 AM
Well...like I said, most of the blogs I read actually said quite a bit, especially Box Turtle Bulletin, which has had a post every single day.
And I wrote about it, so...
*shrug*
http://breaktheterror.wordpress.com/2008/10/06/remembering-matthew-shepard-ten-years-later/
Posted by: Evan | Oct 13, 2008 2:13:44 AM
see christina applegate auctioning roses she made while she was hospitalized on
www.entertainroom.com
Posted by: jyotsna | Oct 13, 2008 2:39:32 AM
Evan, let me just say, your words at your link were beautifully written, they came from the heart. Thank you for sharing. That is what I was hoping from sites like this one. Instead, everything looks like a press release. Pam's House Blend, like this site, is a cut and paste. They are probably the most popular news gay sites; apparently they have no editorial boards.
I'd never heard of Box Turtle Bulletin, but have just checked it out. I made a place for it in my favorites. You are right, they did cover Matthew extensively. This was a significant anniversary, it's just too bad that some took little notice. I hope that you read Judy's article/letter.
Two of the most popular sites on the internet, receiving millions of hits, are run by gay bloggers (whether you like them or not - Perez Hilton and dlisted). They could have done the gay community a service by mentioning Matthew, but they didn't. I emailed both, asking them to, even provided a write-up and pictures. All they would have had to do was cut and paste as though they wrote it, they didn't.
Posted by: CB | Oct 13, 2008 3:05:16 AM
I wonder what some of the whiners here did to contribute to the memory of Matthew other than using this somber anniversary to point out what they perceive as fault in others?
Posted by: Timothy | Oct 13, 2008 6:41:02 AM
Thank you Timothy!
Posted by: Keith | Oct 13, 2008 7:08:29 AM
CB,
I don't generally use this blog as a place to write long editorials blasting people with my opinion about what they should think about every single issue. Rather I present my readers with what I found out there that might be of interest to them. My own personal tribute to Matthew Shepard is to continue to cover the dozens of hate crimes that happen in this country every month. If you'd like to read about them, follow this link:
http://www.towleroad.com/crime/index.html
Perhaps you should take your self-righteousness to your own blog rather than attempt to make a comment thread about Matthew Shepard's death all about yourself.
Posted by: andy | Oct 13, 2008 7:14:51 AM
Thanks Andy.
Days like this should be a time of remembrance and resolution, not nitpicking and self-righteousness.
My thoughts right now are for Matthew's family, especially his mom. She turned a horrible tragedy into a fight for the protection of others. I hope she will soon be able to rest, knowing that fight was won.
Posted by: sparks | Oct 13, 2008 8:07:22 AM
CB,
"A straight blogger @ http://www.crazydaysandnights.net/2008/10/matthew-shepard-10-years-later-we.html said a few words from the heart. "
Ent Lawyer is gay (CDaN), just so you know...
Posted by: what | Oct 13, 2008 8:40:17 AM
I don't really understand your lengthy criticism, CB, since Shepard's death is not "out of site, out of mind here." If you have something more personal to add, why don't you speak from your heart? Ten years later, I, like many people here, remember all too well the horror of Matthew's death. The Shepard family, particularly Judy Shepard, has remarkably turned their personal tragedy into a fight to stop hatred. Their work deserves nothing but support. Matthew, unlike too many victims of hate, will not be forgotten.
As for the Obama criticisms, say what you want, but note which candidate made a statement remembering Matthew. Who cares where it is on his website. He is using his position to talk sincerely about bigotry and hate crimes. He didn't have to; he chose to. His voice on this matters.
Posted by: Ernie | Oct 13, 2008 11:08:33 AM
This is the form of attitude that is injurious to our community - "Having some words in the law book would of done nothing to to save Mathew Shepard's life so why don't we stop it with the constant worthless pandering about hate crime laws and work on education..." when we in the GLBT community have feelings and attitudes such as the quote above refers - then we have a major problem in dealing with GLBT hate crimes! As for me, give me ever civil law possible to ensure that a perpetrator of a hate crime will be treated by the law to the greatest extent of punishment possible! I am so tired of reading about the perps getting off with an Assault charge versus a hate crime - being treated no less then a vandal rather then as someone who could easily take a life! When a crime is committed against someone because of IGNORANCE and HATE that person must be removed from society PERIOD!!
Posted by: Alex in Boston | Oct 13, 2008 11:47:38 AM
This is the form of attitude that is injurious to our community - "Having some words in the law book would of done nothing to to save Mathew Shepard's life so why don't we stop it with the constant worthless pandering about hate crime laws and work on education..." when we in the GLBT community have feelings and attitudes such as the quote above refers - then we have a major problem in dealing with GLBT hate crimes! As for me, give me ever civil law possible to ensure that a perpetrator of a hate crime will be treated by the law to the greatest extent of punishment possible! I am so tired of reading about the perps getting off with an Assault charge versus a hate crime - being treated no less then a vandal rather then as someone who could easily take a life! When a crime is committed against someone because of IGNORANCE and HATE that person must be removed from society PERIOD!!
Posted by: Alex in Boston | Oct 13, 2008 11:48:54 AM
Evan, Obama's position of separate but equal is not smart, it's going to be disastrous for any gay person living in California. It seems fairly likely that Proposition 8 has some chance of actually passing in California. Do you hear Barack Obama out there clamoring to support us and asking the droves of African Americans in CA who will be voting for him along with this Proposition 8 to not do so? No, he's safely told them it is okay to vote for discrimination because he too does not support marriage equality for gays and lesbians. And while you think he knows it will be decided in the judiciary, clearly the judiciary isn't going to be the deciding vote in California.
I hope when all of the gays and lesbians are out cheering on November 5th that they helped elect Obama, the ones living in California quickly remind them that Barack Obama did nothing to protect marriage quality for gays and lesbians in one of the most progressive states in the country. The longer they tow the "I believe in equal right but not gay marriage" line and the longer we accept it, the more and more easily it becomes an impossible dream in states across this nation. Obama has the opportunity to ask his supporters in CA not to vote for this and he will refuse to do it because you think it's "smart politics." If this were a Clinton doing this, I can promise you we would not hear the end of how we are being betrayed.
Posted by: Jeanluc | Oct 13, 2008 12:16:48 PM
At least he's talking about it.....It's not enough but baby steps is the way in D.C.....imagine ten or even five years ago a candidate mentioning this horrible anniversary......I mean when you think about it some people won't vote for him cause of his color or name. In a perfect world today would be the lead story on the news but reality is a drag
Posted by: John Normile | Oct 13, 2008 12:19:36 PM
if matthew shepard had been black, nobody would be blogging about him today
Posted by: misquowoti | Oct 13, 2008 12:28:19 PM
"Perhaps you should take your self-righteousness to your own blog rather than attempt to make a comment thread about Matthew Shepard's death all about yourself."
lol. looks like someone touched a nerve!
Posted by: misquowoti | Oct 13, 2008 12:37:55 PM
JeanLuc, your ongoing critiques of Obama would be more credible if you also noted that McCain does support Prop 8, while Obama does not. A far greater percentage of McCain supporters will vote for Prop 8 than Obama supporters. Yet somehow Obama is the disastrous one and McCain--even tho you swear you'd never support him--is above criticism. There is, in fact, a reasonable critique (agree with it or not) on Huffington Post today (which Andy links to in another post) of Obama on marriage and Prop 8, minus the hyperbole of your rants. Lest this thread be hijacked from its original point, Obama is still the one who offered a compassionate statement today remembering Matthew's death and calling for enactment of hate crimes legislation. Compassion marks this 10th anniversary better than silence.
Posted by: Ernie | Oct 13, 2008 5:04:08 PM