Yesterday was the tenth anniversary of Matthew Shepard's murder in Wyoming.
This is a personally evocative moment for me. I was 18 years old when Matthew died. I had dropped out of high school in my Junior year, due to the hate and abuse I endured on a daily basis. I was outed, and after that my life was never the same and I preferred to retreat rather than engage my aggressors.
However, when Matthew was killed, I decided to go back to high school and finish in his memory. It was one of the best decisions I ever made.
When I returned, when hate was spewed my way I lifted my chin and carried on. I was also surprised to see a few of my fellow classmates stand up for me as well. They were people I didn't even know that well, but they stood up for me anyway. I think Matthew's death had something to do with this as well.
I graduated and went on to matriculate at the University of Texas in Austin. While studying there, I became aware that Judy Shepard was coming to give a speech on being out and proud. In the speech she urged all of us to fight homophobia by coming out to our friends and family. I took her advice and have never kept my sexuality a secret since.
After hers speech, I had the opportunity to meet Judy and tell her my story. I told her that her son's death was not in vain and how it inspired me to move on with my life and not be afraid. Tears welled up in her eyes, as she thanked me for communicating my story to her. She hugged me and we both cried together, for Matthew's death, and for what I went through. She blessed me and told me I would go on to do wonderful things in my life.
That was one of the most precious moments of my life, and I thank God for it everyday.
I am including a reenactment of Matthew's father's, Dennis Shepard, speech from the trial of his murderers. In it, he asks for the perpetrators to be spared the death penalty. It still brings tears to my eyes to this day: